Illinois State University is launching a new program to support the recruitment and retention of faculty members who promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Normal Police Chief announces retirement
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner on Monday announced plans to retire at the end of April 2022. “I have given this great consideration and the time is right,” said Bleichner in a news release. “The organization has six new recruits preparing to report to the academy at the end of April and…… MORE
Illinois gas prices inch down over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in Illinois are averaging $4.50 a gallon, down about seven cents over the week, according to GasBuddy. The cheapest station in the state is $3.84 while the most expensive is $5.29, according to GasBuddy price reports. Gas price in Illinois are 80 cents higher than a month ago…… MORE
Naperville man identified after crash on I-55 in McLean County
A Naperville man has been identified as the victim of the fatal crash on southbound Interstate 55 Thursday south of Bloomington.… MORE
McLean County mother deemed unfit to stand trial
A Bloomington mother charged with concealing the death of her 7-month-old daughter, Zaraz Walker, has been deemed unfit to stand trial.… MORE
Local woman charged with criminal neglect for her mother’s death
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington woman is free on bond after prosecutors charged her with criminal neglect that led to her mother’s death late last year. The allegations against Carrie Funk include that she and her mother lived in filthy conditions at their Bloomington home, and that first responders found the older woman…… MORE
Multicultural Leadership Institute names new executive director
The Multicultural Leadership Institute Board of Directors has a new executive director.… MORE
One person dead after McLean County interstate accident
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – One person sustained fatal injuries after a two-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 55 in Mclean County. Illinois State Police said that at around 9:31 a.m. near mile marker 156, in southwest Bloomington, a truck-tractor semi-trailer combination was slowed or stopped in traffic when a passenger vehicle failed to slow and…… MORE
Local farm bureau donates $2 million for Heartland Community College agriculture facility
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Heartland Community College has received a $2 million donation from the McLean County Farm Bureau to help construct a new agriculture facility in Normal. The donation will be used for the development of a flexible learning lab space for Heartland students as well as community groups and K-12 students, according…… MORE
CIRA is seeing an uptick in travel but experiencing a pilot shortage
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Passenger travel is on the rise at Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA); however, the airport is experiencing a pilot shortage. A pilot shortage coupled with rising gas prices is putting a bottleneck into travel all across the board. “Airlines were already talking about pilot shortages prior to COVID, and what…… 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…