What was intended to be a routine matter for the McLean County Board Tuesday evening turned out not to be so routine.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
McLean County sees flat tax rate despite six percent spending boost
McLean County’s new administrator proposes a $102.8 million dollar budget for the next fiscal year that’s six percent higher than the previous year, and yet it aims to hold the line on property taxes.… MORE
State Sen. Manar: new bill will ‘help lower’ cost of insulin
It almost sounds quaint to hear Megan Blair talk about insulin costing her $800 a month ten years ago. That’s because it’s now $1800 a month.… MORE
ISU announces new Multicultural Center, $10 million USDA grant
A new campus Multicultural Center was revealed by Illinois State University President Larry Dietz in his annual State of the University address Tuesday afternoon.… MORE
Durbin: Vaping companies mirroring tactics of Big Tobacco
Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator is calling for more education and stricter restrictions against vaping.
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Illinois lawmakers file legislation aimed at ‘making it impossible’ for companies to use ethylene oxide
Illinois lawmakers have filed new legislation aimed at reducing ethylene oxide emissions and potentially making it impossible for companies that use the chemical to operate even after a federal agency warned of potential hospital service issues.… MORE
Miller Park Zoo introduces new red panda cubs
A new set of babies have been born at Miller Park Zoo.… MORE
Council welcomes report showing arena losing less money
Bloomington city leaders think they may have turned a corner with taxpayer-owned Grossinger Motors Arena.… MORE
Pensions cloud Normal’s financial outlook
Leaders in Normal said Monday night the town’s finances are heading in the right direction after setbacks last year, even as the local government grapples with funding pensions for first responders.… MORE
Bloomington leaders to decide soon whether to allow marijuana sales
Bloomington’s cannabis task force will be up and running in the coming days as city council members say the first task should be to decide whether marijuana sales should be allowed at all in the city.… 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…