By WMBD TV NORMAL – Illinois State University’s faculty union is marking one year of bargaining with public action to call for a fair agreement. It’s been one year since the United Faculty of ISU started negotiations with Illinois State University for new contracts. “We feel this should have been settled months ago, and we…… MORE
Legislation aims to help first-time homebuyers
As the cost of housing continues to rise, Illinois realtors are pushing legislation to make it easier for first-time homebuyers to save for a down payment.… MORE
Trump to implement new tariffs on Illinois’ largest trading partners as state faces uncertainty over economic projections
As the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget Director Alexis Sturm warned a House committee that uncertainty about President Donald Trump’s economic and administrative policies could affect Illinois revenue, the president announced new tariffs will take effect Tuesday on imports from some of Illinois’ top trading partners. … MORE
Illinois schools continuing DEI initiatives despite federal funding threats
The Illinois State Board of Education is not telling schools to stop any diversity, equity and inclusion lessons or programs, the state’s education chief told a House committee this week, even as the Trump administration threatens to pull federal funding from schools that don’t stop. … MORE
Audit finds Illinois’ noncitizen health care programs far outstripped original cost estimates
A pair of health care programs that benefit noncitizens – one of which is already on Gov. JB Pritzker’s budgetary chopping block – far outstripped its original estimated price tag and cost the state of Illinois $1.6 billion through last summer, according to a new audit of the programs published Wednesday.… MORE
Pritzker says federal funds still being withheld; warns of further spending cuts
Gov. JB Pritzker accused the Trump administration this week of continuing to withhold nearly $1.9 billion from Illinois state agencies, nonprofits and small businesses, despite the fact that an order to freeze those funds was rescinded after a federal judge issued a ruling blocking the freeze.… MORE
Family of Bloomington murder-suicide victims remember their loved ones
Memories are forever.… MORE
Normal teen identified as the person killed in officer-involved shooting in Bloomington
A Normal teen was shot and killed Tuesday night during an officer-involved shooting in southwest Bloomington, the McLean County Coroner said.… MORE
‘A baby from a concentration camp’: doctor says of baby allegedly given Zzzquil
Two women allegedly gave a 13-month-old boy more than the recommended dose of an over-the-counter sleep aid, a move that appears to have contributed to his death late last year.… MORE
‘A baby from a concentration camp’: doctor says of baby allegedly given Zzzquil
By WMBD TV PEORIA – Two women allegedly gave a 13-month-old boy more than the recommended dose of an over-the-counter sleep aid, a move that appears to have contributed to his death late last year. According to court records filed within the past two months at the Peoria County Circuit Clerk’s office, Tasheaunna R. Williams, 26,…… 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…