Several country music stars will be putting on a virtual benefit concert later this month to help zoo’s around the U.S. including the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Polar Plungers “getting creative” despite COVID-19 pandemic
Although things look different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Illinois aims to continue to raise money for a good cause.… MORE
MCHD reports 3 more COVID-related deaths; 25 new cases of coronavirus
Hospital capacity in McLean County remains high as local health officials Wednesday reported three more COVID-related deaths.… MORE
McLean County Justice Committee Chairman pulls resolution on qualified immunity
McLean County board member and Chair of the Justice Committee Chuck Erickson pulled a resolution from the agenda during Tuesday’s meeting. The resolution was to recognize the board’s support of McLean County law enforcement and support for upholding qualified immunity in Illinois.… MORE
Bloomington mayoral hopefuls weigh in on weathering the pandemic, Welcoming City proposal
Two of the three candidates for Bloomington mayor believe economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic pose the most serious challenge for leaders in the Twin-Cities, while the other mayoral hopeful sees political polarization as the most difficult problem.… MORE
Illinois Democrats to elect new leader
A woman of color from the Chicago area will succeed Mike Madigan as Democratic Party chair in Illinois. We’ll know Wednesday night which one.… MORE
Illinois to receive 83,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
Illinois will receive around 83,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, with the vast majority being sent to mass vaccination sites around the state.… MORE
Rolling positivity rate drops below 2%; McLean County adds 7 new cases of coronavirus
McLean County’s rolling positivity rate inched down to 1.9% as local health officials Tuesday reported seven new cases of coronavirus.… MORE
Republican lawmakers want greater accountability at LaSalle Veterans’ Home
Three dozen COVID-19 deaths, and the lawmakers who represent the La Salle-Peru area say Gov. JB Pritzker’s still not paying enough attention to the veterans’ home there.… MORE
Police say 5 Pontiac Prison guards face felony charges for Lexington bar fight
Five correctional officers at Pontiac Prison were arrested last week after a fight at a McLean County bar.… 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…