District 87 is responding to neighboring Unit 5’s pay raise for substitute teachers by raising pay for its substitutes.
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Category Archives: Local News
Central Illinois militia members plead guilty to Minnesota mosque bombing
Two Ford County men entered a federal courtroom in Minnesota Thursday to plead guilty to a crime spree, including the August 2017 bombing of an Minnesota Islamic center. Their motive, according to prosecutors, was to scare Muslims into leaving the country.… MORE
‘Hot tub rash’ linked to area hotel
The Logan County Department of Public Health is investigating multiple reports of rash illnesses that may be linked to a swimming pool or hot tub at a Lincoln hotel.… MORE
Bitterly cold wind chills Thursday night across Central Illinois
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory starting at 6 p.m. Thursday for all of Central Illinois.… MORE
Local school chiefs mull holding classes during a big freeze
If the forecast for brutally cold wind chills comes to pass, District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly and the heads of other area school districts will decide early Friday whether it’s safe for kids to come to class.
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Passenger confronts Rep. Davis for flying first class during shutdown
A video has gone viral showing Central Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis ignoring a fellow airline passenger’s complaint that he should not be flying in first class during the partial government shutdown.… MORE
Armed robbery late Sunday at Downs gas station
The McLean County Sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in identifying an armed robbery suspect at a Downs gas station.… MORE
Coroner: Trucker wasn’t drunk in Normal West bus crash
Toxicology results for the man driving the semi truck that struck the Normal West school bus in December show the driver wasn’t drunk or under the influence of drugs.… MORE
Rep. Brady: Opportunity for Pritzker to support fair map legislation
A local lawmaker in the Illinois House is co-sponsoring a constitutional amendment to remove politicians from the legislative map drawing process.… MORE
State Farm: Illinois received most frozen pipe claims in 2018
With snow and cold temperatures throughout central Illinois, the risk of frozen pipes will be an issue according to a local insurer.… 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…