By Jake Fogal FREEPORT – The fourteenth annual Doodle for Google competition is down to 54 contestants, with one from each State and Territory. Fourth grader Amelia Winter of Freeport is Illinois’ winner, and she dedicated her doodle to her dog Dasher. “In art class, that was what we were assigned to do as our…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have dropped 16 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $5.15 today. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in Illinois are 45 cents lower than a month and year ago. The cheapest station in the state is $4.09, while the most expensive is $6.79 a gallon. “The…… MORE
By HOI ABC MCLEAN COUNTY – McLean County Republicans are planning a party at the Normal CornBelters’ baseball game later this month and are welcoming the entire community, but not everyone was excited. McLean County Democrats called out a big-ticket raffle item they felt was out of touch with recent events. The GOP is raffling…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The sentencing for McLean County piano teacher Aaron Parlier, convicted of sexually assaulting students, was postponed on Friday. However, his punishment has already been determined. He’ll spend the rest of his life behind bars unless a higher court overturns his convictions. Aaron Parlier, 41, was supposed to be sentenced Friday,…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Fuel prices in Illinois have continued to slightly fall over the last few weeks. Gas prices continue to drop across the state as prices at the pump are down 14 cents over the past week. According to GasBuddy’s latest price report, prices at the pump have dropped 15 cents over…… MORE
Rivian automotive is on pace to hire nearly 7,000 employees at its Normal-based manufacturing facility; however, one local farmer reports the major boom is a double-edged sword.… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Looking to make some extra money this summer? The Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair are hiring seasonal workers. Spokesperson Krista Lisser says they are short about 250 workers between the two fairs. The temporary jobs pay $14 an hour and are an important part of state fair…… MORE
By IIS Radio HIGHLAND PARK – A Highland Park area lawmaker says all ideas are being considered when it comes to preventing another mass shooting. State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) says his office has received hundreds of calls from constituents offering suggestions about new laws and policy changes. “There is a lot of discussion about…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – The Normal Township Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Supervisor Sarah Grammer on Thursday, and named a long-time Illinois State University administrator as her replacement. Grammer said in a Facebook post that she’s resigning because her family is moving to Wisconsin. Grammer, a Democrat, was first elected as township…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian’s plan to put up a wind turbine at its local factory has won the backing of the Normal Planning Commission. Commissioners Thursday evening voted unanimously in favor of the company’s wind energy project to provide Rivian’s newly-made electric vehicles with their first “all green” charge. The commission’s endorsement goes…… 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…