A local grant-making public charity awarded over 60 grants this week to non-profits around the area.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Local NAACP leaders push for police reform after Chauvin verdict
The jury’s finding that ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd is only part of the battle for local civil rights advocates.… MORE
Taxpayers in Normal get the legal bill to probe council member’s discrimination allegations
The Town of Normal has received the bill for a Chicago-area law firm to investigate an elected official’s discrimination claims against the mayor and city manager.… MORE
Market Street parking garage repairs resume next week
Work on the Market Street parking garage in downtown Bloomington will resume April 26.… MORE
McLean County adds 52 cases of coronavirus
The number of active coronavirus cases in McLean County dropped slightly to 647 as local health officials Tuesday reported 52 new cases.… MORE
Sen. Durbin calls problems at southern border “heartbreaking”
As thousands of unaccompanied children arrive at the southern border, Illinois’ Senior Senator says the problem is “serious” and “heartbreaking.”… MORE
Bloomington’s elected leaders eye support for utility shutoff moratorium
A Bloomington alderman says it’s too soon for utility companies to turn off the lights or the gas for customers unable to pay their bills.… MORE
Carrillo defiant as city council formally reprimands her for lashing out at election victors
Bloomington Alderwoman Jenn Carrillo has received a formal rebuke from the city council, but she’s standing by controversial remarks she said on election night that earned her the censure.… MORE
With familiar dissenter voting no, Normal OKs bike trail addition, council also backs road repairs
Normal Town Council member Stan Nord was again up against a majority of council members in a battle over spending priorities.… MORE
MCHD reports 212 new cases of coronavirus
Local health officials reported 212 new cases of COVID-19 in McLean County since Friday.… 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…