The things that entertain us, the movies, books, and music, can be just simple time-wasters or guilty pleasures. Or they can mean something, and effect us in ways we couldn’t foresee. Here are some of the best albums of 2019.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Are you not entertained? Best movies of 2019
The things that entertain us, the movies, books, and music, can be just simple time-wasters or guilty pleasures. Or they can mean something, and effect us in ways we couldn’t foresee. Here are some of the best movies of 2019.… MORE
Illinois House GOP members again take aim at “property tax relief task force”
The legislature still wants to do something about property taxes, which are really controlled at the local level.… MORE
Report finds 1 percent of Illinois schools started after Labor Day in 2019
One percent of Illinois’ public schools started their 2019-2020 years after Labor Day. … MORE
Pritzker fires Illinois Ag Director who knew of 2012 ‘rape in Champaign’ email
Gov. J.B. Pritzker fired Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan for failing to take action regarding a lobbyist’s 2012 email that mentioned a rape in Champaign and ghost payroll practices.… MORE
Some first responders are losing life insurance coverage over Narcan, Illinois bill would prohibit the practice
After hearing reports of first responders losing life insurance coverage after getting anti-overdose drugs for work, an Illinois lawmaker wants to prohibit such cancellations. … MORE
Schnucks customers, company donate $320,000 to Salvation Army
A supermarket chain and its customers have donated $320,000 to the Salvation Army’s annual holiday campaign.… MORE
Illinois’ predicted loss of seat in congress will be Republican gain in another state, congressman says
The latest population estimates suggest Illinois will lose a seat in Congress because of continued population decline, which could help Republicans at the national level, a central Illinois Republican congressman said.… MORE
Residents in the Luther Oaks area will see road improvements after years of asking
After years of complaints Lutz Road in Bloomington will see some upgrades.… MORE
Bloomington man sentenced to over 16 years in prison for role in crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy
A Bloomington man has been sentenced to 16 years and 8 months in prison for his role in a crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy in 2018.… 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…