307 days. That’s how long Chief Warrant Officer -2 Lucas G. Miles was away from his 18-month-old daughter and 3-year-old son.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Local health officials announce five new cases of COVID-19
McLean County Health officials announced five new cases of COVID-19, moving the countywide total to 194.… MORE
Punishments for violating Governor’s stay-at-home orders questioned
The co-chair of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules that meets today in Springfield said he will move to suspend the rule.… MORE
House republicans want immediate vote on Gov. Pritzker’s plan
Butler said he does not think the Democrats, who hold a supermajority in both chambers, will allow a vote.… MORE
Meal plan for Unit 5 families extended
The Grab and Go breakfast and lunch plan through Unit 5 has been extended… MORE
Doctors encourage Illinoisans to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials
Doctors took the spotlight at Tuesday’s coronavirus briefing.… MORE
Report ranks Illinois’ drug issues in the middle of nation
With the stress of social distancing leading to drug use relapses and overdoses, a personal finance website has released a report that ranks the states with the biggest drug problems.… MORE
MCHD announces two new cases of COVID-19
McLean County Health officials announced two new cases of COVID-19, moving the countywide total to 189.… MORE
State Farm looking to cut auto rates nationwide by $2.2 billion
Bloomington’s State Farm Insurance is looking to cut auto rates nationwide by about $2.2 billion because people are driving less during the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
House Minority Leader says progressive income tax would be a kick in the teeth
Illinois’ leading legislative Republicans want an up or down vote on whether the progressive income tax amendment should be taken off the November ballot to spare small businesses a tax increase on top of a pandemic, but the governor has downplayed the suggestion.… 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…