By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Heartland Community College on Thursday broke ground on its new 45,000 square foot facility to support advanced manufacturing technology training. Heartland staff were joined by members from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Affairs, local officials, and industry leaders for the ceremony. The $17 million facility will include new…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Former Gov. Jim Edgar rarely endorses candidates anymore. The Republican lawmaker going for another of Edgar’s old jobs – secretary of state – is an exception. “Realistically,” Edgar told a crowded room at a Republican campaign office near the Capitol Thursday, State Rep. “Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has the best chance…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Early voting for the November 8 election is underway across the state of Illinois. Here in McLean County, early voting is being offered for all residents at Eastland Mall. Bloomington residents can also early vote at the Bloomington Election Commission office at 121 N. Main Street in Downtown Bloomington. All…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-based insurance company COUNTRY Financial is selling its Financial Services Building on the Twin-Cities’ east side to agricultural cooperative GROWMARK. The Financial Services facility at 1705 Towanda Avenue will become GROWMARK’s new headquarters, according to a news release. The sale is expected to be completed later this year. COUNTRY Financial…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – The torch was passed in Bloomington Wednesday from one trailblazing jurist to another. The McLean County Law and Justice Center was the scene where outgoing Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman met with the public, accompanied by her chosen successor, Justice Lisa Holder White. McLean County is part of District 4, they region…… MORE
Due to a booming local economy, McLean County finds itself in a housing shortage.… MORE
By Jake Fogal UPDATE – McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified the pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle Saturday night in Downtown Bloomington. Yesenia Navarrete, 29, of Bloomington was pronounced dead on Monday at Carle BroMenn Medical Center. An autopsy is pending. The family shared that Yesenia was able to share the gift…… MORE
By 25 News FAIRBURY – The Fairbury Police Department says a suspect has been identified and arrangements are being made to arrest that person after a false 911 call was made Saturday night about Prairie Central High School’s homecoming event. Fairbury Police say they were called to the High School on Saturday, September 24 around…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Central Illinois Regional Airport has been named Primary Airport of the Year by the Illinois Department of Transportation. They were among six airports that received Airport of the Year awards from IDOT, which were handed out Tuesday during the Illinois Public Airports Association Fall Conference in Galena. “Aviation is vital…… MORE
Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood is introducing legislation to address mental and behavioral health care services.… 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…