Illinois lawmakers will send Gov. J.B. Pritzker a bill with the first round of changes to the nation’s first lawmaker-originated measure to legalize recreational cannabis.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Illinois pension consolidation bill passes despite objections over unknown Tier II enhancement costs
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign a measure to consolidate the state’s 649 suburban and downstate police and fire pension funds into two funds to maximize investment returns after the legislation passed the Senate on the final day of the fall veto session.… MORE
Ethics reforms task force passes despite Senate Republicans saying it’s stacked against them
On the final day of fall session, both the House and Senate passed a last-minute package of ethics reforms. But a measure creating a task force to research what kinds of other ethics reforms are needed passed with minority Republicans opposing the move in the Senate.
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Feds tap phone of ComEd lobbyist, long-time confidant of House Speaker Michael Madigan
Federal investigators tapped the cell phone of a former state lawmaker-turned-lobbyist with close ties to House Speaker Michael Madigan.… MORE
Second Democrat to run for west side county board seat
Another primary race is shaping up on the Democratic side for the McLean County Board.… MORE
Murder defendant’s young daughter testifies mother gave Rica Rountree a “whooping”
The seven-year old daughter of accused killer Cynthia Baker told a McLean County Jury on Thursday she saw her mother physically abuse eight-year old Rica Rountree.… MORE
IDPH reports fourth death related to vaping
A fourth person from Illinois who had recently been hospitalized with a lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products has died, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.… MORE
Nugent named first woman president of IWU
Illinois Wesleyan University has named its 20th president and the first woman to hold the job in the school’s history.… MORE
Stanifer to be named Blue Ridge superintendent
A current administrator in the Blue Ridge schools is the choice to become the district’s next superintendent.… MORE
Bloomington panel favors pot smoking at dispensaries, might be first Illinois city to allow onsite use
A local government panel believes recreational marijuana users in Bloomington should be able to smoke pot at dispensaries that sell the drug.… 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…