NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — The Normal Fire Department has announced the death of one of their probationary firefighters. Ethan Jeffreys, 23, died Monday after a battle with a “serious illness,” according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. “While he was only with us a short time, he had a bright and promising career ahead…… MORE
Tens of thousands of Illinoisans take to the streets to protest Trump and Musk agenda
Tens of thousands of Illinoisans across the state took to the streets Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s and billionaire Elon Musk’s government downsizing, foreign policy choices and actions on the economy, immigration and human rights. … MORE
State Sen. Emil Jones III bribery trial set to begin 2 ½ years after indictment
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday morning in the federal corruption trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, who stands accused of accepting alleged bribes from a red-light camera company executive whose cooperation with the feds has also brought down several other Chicago-area politicians.… MORE
It’s not just Chicago. Downstate public transit agencies face funding challenges
Outside the busy systems of buses and trains moving about a million commuters around Chicago and its suburbs every day, 54 public transit agencies provide services throughout the rest of Illinois in communities surrounded by farmland and or home to state colleges and universities. … MORE
Bloomington temporarily switching water source next week
The city of Bloomington’s Water Department announced it will temporarily switch its water source from Lake Evergreen to Lake Bloomington next week.… MORE
Despite two decades of education and enforcement, drivers still failing Scott’s Law
For a moment, Illinois State Trooper Alex Womack was flying, tumbling in mid-air, alternately seeing sky then ground. … MORE
Senate Democrats champion program to streamline Illinois college applications
Illinois Senate Democrats voiced their support Thursday for a bill that would create a program to streamline high school students’ college application processes, reducing fees and making higher education more affordable. … MORE
Veteran’s Parkway closing for procession escorting World War II soldier
On Thursday afternoon, Veteran’s Parkway will be t… MORE
Dan Brady wants smooth transition into office
On Tuesday, longtime public servant Dan Brady won the Bloomington mayoral seat, beating out incumbent Mboka Mwilambwe and Ward 6 Alderman Cody Hendricks. … MORE
Pritzker hopes trade mission to Mexico sparks new investment despite tariffs
Gov. JB Pritzker wrapped up a four-day trip to Mexico City on Wednesday, hopeful a trade mission to Mexico will yield new economic development in Illinois, even as tariffs threaten the stability of the United State’s global trade. … MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…