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
A new set of babies have been born at Miller Park Zoo.… MORE
Bloomington city leaders think they may have turned a corner with taxpayer-owned Grossinger Motors Arena.… MORE
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’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
The Illinois Attorney General’s office has filed another lawsuit against several drug companies alleging they used deceptive marketing practices to sell opioids.… MORE
Blue Ridge Superintendent Susan Wilson said Monday the district hopes to reach a contract agreement that’s fair for both employees and the financial health of the district.… MORE
Illinois State Police said a crash Monday morning on Interstate 155 in Tazewell County left 11 people injured.… MORE
Illinois’ small businesses have less than four months before they must adhere to an entirely new and enhanced set of rules and protections for their workers.… MORE
Some state lawmakers want to phase out the use of ethylene oxide from most places where it is used now. They announced at a Chicago news conference a new bill which they want passed in the upcoming fall veto session.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…