State lawmakers are now back to the drawing board after the Illinois Supreme Court issued a ruling last week saying the state’s 2013 pension reform law is unconstitutional.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Woman from Normal arrested on armed robbery charge
A woman from Normal faces armed robbery and other charges after she reportedly used a gun to rob another man.… MORE
UPDATED: Illinois State’s Coprich suspended following drug charge
Illinois State’s record-setting running back Marshaun Coprich faces a drug charge following his arrest last week. … MORE
Gold star families group holds test drive fundraiser
A group that provides help to local families of fallen soldiers is raising money to expand its outreach in Central Illinois.
… MORE
Bloomington discussing less parking on Hershey, creating budget task force
Bloomington is looking to install stop lights on Hershey Road where the street intersects with Arrowhead Drive and Clearwater Avenue.… MORE
Deadline approaching for Normal arts grant
The deadline to apply for funding through the Town of Normal’s Harmon Arts Grant Program is fast approaching.… MORE
Home Sweet Home seeking donations for May Community Challenge
It’s May, and that means it’s time for Home Sweet Home Ministries’ annual May Community Challenge.… MORE
Bloomington cancer survivor starts healing rides ministry
A Bloomington woman who beat cancer knows it can be a bumpy ride.… MORE
Summer means more motorcycles, danger on roads
The weather is warming up, and that means more motorcycles are on the road.… MORE
Rauner gives commencement address at Lincoln College
Graduating students at Lincoln College got a pep talk Saturday from someone who has called for dramatic cuts in higher education funding.… 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…