By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian is planning its biggest expansion to date at its electric vehicle factory in northwest Normal, but it’s not clear what the company wants to do with all of the extra space. Rivian filed plans with Normal’s town government requesting approval of an amended site plan for a 623,000 square…… MORE
The Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) is looking to fill manufacturer jobs throughout the state through a statewide education and policy tour.… MORE
Throughout October, men around the country are raising money to help fight breast cancer through the Real Men Wear Pink campaign.… MORE
The McLean County Health Department reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.… MORE
By A.J. Harris NORMAL – Normal Mayor Chris Koos wants the public to be a part of the discussion about how pandemic relief funds should be spent. The Town of Normal is running a survey for input from the public about how to spend funds granted by the American Rescue Plan. Koos spoke with WJBC’s…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – District 87 administrators are banking on an increase in the district’s tax base next year to collect more tax dollars and not raise taxes on property owners. Administrators announced Wednesday evening they plan to collect almost $46.6 million in property taxes next year, up about 4 1/4% from this year.…… MORE
By Neil Doyle HUDSON – McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified a body that was found in Lake Bloomington. David L. Roesch, 58, of Saybrook was pronounced dead around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. Yoder says preliminary autopsy results indicate Roesch died from drowning with non-fatal injuries of the forehead and lips consistent with blunt trauma,…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A local lawmaker has been weighing his options the last few months about a run for statewide office. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has been exploring the idea of running for Illinois Secretary of State. Current Secretary of State Jesse White, a Democrat, has held the office since 1998, but…… MORE
(USDA) – There were 4.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 24, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 54.1 degrees, 1.8 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.70 inches, 0.02 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus.…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – A small fire broke out Tuesday night at the Rivian plant in northwest Normal. The Normal Fire Department said there was minimal damage and no injuries were reported. The plant was evacuated for a short time while firefighters put out the fire. Fire crews were called around 5 p.m. after…… 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…