By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The state’s top public health doctor says it’s too soon to tell if the omicron variant has peaked. Cases have been surging in recent weeks, hitting the highest levels of the entire pandemic. Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says there has been a slight drop in cases the…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Jesse White’s office is announcing $6 million in grants to libraries trying to cope during the pandemic. The grants are going to 211 school, academic and public libraries to help provide essential services says SOS spokesperson Henry Haupt. There are three types of grants being awarded. “The…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The state is launching a new COVID-19 vaccine campaign in hopes of reaching those still on the fence about getting the shots. The initial rollout features four videos from Illinoisans who were initially hestitant about getting the vaccine. That includes Ken, a pastor from Danville who, along with his wife,…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Department of Corrections is again declining to accept inmates from county jails because of COVID-19 outbreaks at state prisons, a move a local sheriff said is forcing local taxpayers to foot the bill to house those prisoners. The state calls it a temporary pause, but McLean County Sheriff…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Like everyone else in the medical community, Dr. Ngozi Ezike is learning all she can as fast as she can about the fast-moving omicron variant of coronavirus. “We know that it’s not a matter of if but when we will confirm cases in the United States and in Illinois,” said…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Doctors and public health professionals battling what they call “misinformation” say the media is a problem in at least two ways. “We haven’t had a pandemic or a real big public health problem in quite a few years, and in that time technology snuck in on us,” said Gail O’Neill,…… MORE
Another McLean County resident has died from COVID-19, as county health officials recorded 68 new virus cases since Friday.… MORE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine.… MORE
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is adopting CDC recommendations for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.… MORE
The Biden Administration is now allowing vaccinated international travelers, previously banned, into the United States.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…