The financial picture for Illinois is pretty good, as we enter a new year.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
McLean County native sworn in as Georgia’s newest senator
McLean County native Kelly Loeffler was officially sworn in Monday as Georgia’s newest U.S. Senator.… MORE
Illinois officials remind business owners of available tax credit to offset minimum wage hike
Illinois officials are reminding small business owners about a tax credit that is available to offset some of the higher labor costs associated with the increase in the state’s minimum wage.… MORE
BPD probing retail theft at Eastland Mall
Bloomington Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a person of interest in a felony retail theft at Eastland Mall.… MORE
New policy restricts book-banning in prisons
The Illinois Department of Corrections changed its policy guiding the way prisons are allowed to ban books for inmates – and it can’t be because of their social, sexual, religious or political content.… MORE
Illinois Farm Bureau survey of farmers finds 2019 was a stressful year
Because of the weather and market conditions that largely are out of their control, farmers are used to dealing with high amounts of stress.… MORE
AAA: National gas price average holds steady amid tensions with Iran
The national gas price average held steady on the week at $2.58, but that could change depending on the movement of crude oil prices due to geopolitical concerns.… MORE
Illinois hires military liaison to help address high unemployment among spouses
Military families in Illinois will soon get help navigating the occupational licensing process in a move to reduce unemployment.… MORE
Illinois lost more than $12 billion in income in 2 years: Analysis of IRS migration data
In just two years, Illinois lost more than $12.4 billion in Adjusted Gross Income, according to IRS migration data analyzed by public finance watchdog Wirepoints.… MORE
Illinois’ rural areas would lose representation in congress if population loss continues
Illinois’ industries are reacting to new U.S. Census Bureau data that shows Illinois led the nation in population loss over the past decade. The state lost nearly 160,000 residents in just six years, which could mean fewer members in Congress representing the Land of Lincoln.… 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…