When holiday shopping is done locally, it contributes more to the local economy. It promotes job growth, pays local taxes to help local schools and infrastructure, and helps those small businesses grow.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Frustrated over lack of casino support, Chicago lawmakers revolted, putting state infrastructure money in peril
In a show of frustration over the lack of support for Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed changes that would have allowed a casino there, Chicago lawmakers pulled their support and asked for others to do the same on a bill that, had it failed, could have held up the state’s other casinos and the rollout of sports gambling. … MORE
Illinois lawmakers look at stalled legislative efforts after veto session
Some Illinois lawmakers said they didn’t get all they wanted to get done before leaving the capitol last week.… MORE
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center patient safety grade falls in recent report
Most Illinois hospitals scored well in a new patient safety report.
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Packed Normal council agenda includes vote on “conservative” marijuana proposal, hotel franchise change
The Normal Town Council is scheduled to make a landmark decision Monday night whether to allow cannabis-related businesses in the town when recreational marijuana use becomes legal in Illinois on New Year’s Day.… MORE
Connect Transit Board Chair backs fare hike delay to wait for working group report
The head of the Bloomington-Normal public transit board favors another delay in a planned fare increase to allow a working group to complete its comprehensive transit system review.… MORE
Medical examiners say child was abused in Cynthia Baker’s murder trial
Medical examiners who received the body of 8-year-old Rica Rountree after her death said there is no doubt she was abused.… MORE
New report: ‘Illinoisans are recycling wrong’
A new report says too many Illinoisans are doing it wrong: by not cleaning things before they throw them into the recycling. Not only are we throwing – basically – trash into the blue bin, nobody will take it. … MORE
IDES: Unemployment rate remains at historical low in October
The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Friday the unemployment rate was unchanged at an historically low 3.9% in October.… MORE
New IWU president prepared for challenges moving forward
The first woman president at Illinois Wesleyan University is prepared for different challenges as she takes over the top position.… 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…