By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD-The state – particularly its prisoner review board – needs to do better by its crime victims, according a top Illinois Republican. Saying this is another way that the Pritzker administration lets the bad guys win, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) wants to beef up the law. “The wishes of…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Siddharth Bhumpelli, a sophomore at Normal Community High School, earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36. According to a Unit 5 social media post, in 2021 only 4,055 out of 1.29 million students who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36. That is less than…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Illinois lawmakers continue to meet virtually due to COVID-19. The House and Senate have cancelled almost all of their January session days, but committees are able to meet virtually. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) says there is a lot to accomplish, which includes a balanced state budget. He spoke with…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON- Illinois State University’s App safe Redbirds is getting good reviews by Normal Police. Community Services Officer Brad Park and Normal Police work with Illinois State Police to patrol the Town of Normal. Safe Redbirds can be downloaded in your phones app store, requires no charge and has a list of emergency…… MORE
By Jake Fogal New legislation reinstates the death penalty for those convicted of murdering a police officer in Illinois. Representative Blaine Wilhour of Effingham plans to file a bill in the house bringing back capital punishment for these crimes against law enforcement. With 25 police officers killed in the line of duty over the past…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The victim from Monday night’s homicide in Bloomington has been identified by McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder. Preliminary autopsy results indicate Timothy Q. Manns, 29, of Bloomington died from a gunshot wound, according to a news release. Toxicology testing is pending. Bloomington Police say the shooting happened around 7:30 p.m.…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – As you’re trying to stay warm this winter, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office has a few safety tips to keep in mind. There are plenty of hazards when it comes to heating your home so it’s important to stay on top of things like having your furnace serviced regularly…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The Twin-Cities will welcome visitors from around the state this weekend for the Illinois High School Association Competitive Dance State Finals. The event will take place Friday and Saturday at Grossinger Motors Arena in Downtown Bloomington. According to the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, over the course of the…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are investigating a homicide that happened Monday night on the city’s near west side. Police were called around 7:30 p.m. to the 600 block of West Jefferson Street for a person who had been shot. When officers arrived, they located a 29-year-old man in an apartment with injuries…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Heartland Community College is accepting nominations for its 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award. Heartland’s Director of Public Information Steve Fast spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “We find somebody that has gone through the experience of going to Heartland and has gone on to exciting things either personally, professionally, or has made…… 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…