Category Archives: Local News

HCC strongly encouraging COVID vaccination before the fall semester

HCC strongly encouraging COVID vaccination before the fall semester

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The COVID-19 delta variant is causing issues in different parts of the country, mainly for those who are not vaccinated. To help prevent any issues locally, Heartland Community College is strongly encouraging students and staff to get the shot before classes start next month. “We are hoping to encourage anyone who…MORE

Amtrak will resume full service on Monday

Amtrak will resume full service on Monday

By IIS Radio CHICAGO – Amtrak is resuming full service next week. Service levels had been cut in half during the pandemic, but will resume normal operations come Monday. Illinois Department of Transportation spokesperson Paul Wappel says there will be five daily trips between Chicago and St. Louis. “And that includes Amtrak national Texas Eagle…MORE

Corn Belt Energy Rate 11 interrupt canceled for Thursday

Corn Belt Energy Rate 11 interrupt canceled for Thursday

  By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Due to more rain in the forecast Thursday, Corn Belt Energy has decided to not interrupt electrical service for Rate 11 customers. Corn Belt was planning a shut off in power for those customers Thursday, but due to the expected wet conditions, it caused some concerns for sump pumps and…MORE

Corn Belt Energy has scheduled a Rate 11 interrupt for Thursday

Corn Belt Energy has scheduled a Rate 11 interrupt for Thursday

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Corn Belt Energy has scheduled a power disruption for residential members who are enrolled in the Rate 11 load control program. Rate 11 members will experience an interruption in electrical service Thursday, July 15 from 1-5 pm. According to a news release, this interruption will allow Corn Belt to test the…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…