It’s fashionable for some to criticize Gov. JB Pritzker for how he has handled the coronavirus response. But he is giving credit where credit’s due. … MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Ecology Action Center aims to increase tree-planting
Residents could see a lot more trees in McLean County over the next few years.… MORE
64 new coronavirus cases reported in McLean County
McLean County added 64 new cases of coronavirus since Friday.… MORE
Crews battle an apartment fire in Bloomington Sunday night
36 people were able to escape an evening apartment complex fire in Bloomington.… MORE
Normal asks railroad to reimburse town for overtime pay in derailment cleanup
The Town of Normal is hoping local taxpayers will not have to foot the bill for the cost of cleaning up February’s train derailment.… MORE
MCHD expands into Phase 1B plus population
The McLean County Health Department will begin scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations for residents in the expanded Phase 1B plus population starting this week.… MORE
Attorney General rules against Town of Normal for violation of ‘Open Meetings Act’
Attorney General Kwame Raoul ruled on February 22, 2021 that the Town of Normal and Mayor Chris Koos violated the Open Meetings Act in September 2019.… MORE
Renner with some advice for the city’s next mayor
Municipal elections are less than a month away and Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner has some advice for the city’s next leader.… MORE
OSF Hospitals shining pink lights on buildings to mark one year of COVID-19
To mark a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began, OSF Healthcare is lighting its buildings in pink lights to signify thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to healthcare workers on the frontlines.… MORE
McLean County adds 26 new cases of COVID-19
The McLean County Health Department on Friday reported 26 new cases of coronavirus.… 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…