Bloomington’s Criterium has been announced as a State Championship Race by the Illinois Cycling Association.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Legalizing marijuana is a ‘next year project’ for Illinois
Illinoisans looking to gamble at a new casino in Rockford or Danville or to legally buy marijuana to get high for fun will have to wait until next year for the debate to spark back up at the statehouse.… MORE
B-N EDC showcases sales, population numbers in 2018 Demographic Profile
The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council has released the 2018 Demographic Profile, which indicates retail sales, household income, and population in the Twin Cities are on the rise.… MORE
First Brandt-made augers roll off McLean County production line
Brandt Industries is sending to market its first McLean County-made products.… MORE
UPDATED: Unit 5 scrambles to fill three school board vacancies
The resignation of a third Unit 5 School Board member in recent weeks was revealed only a day after board members interviewed four candidates to fill the first vacancy.… MORE
Unit 5’s Fortner resigns, becoming third school board member to resign since spring
The Unit 5 school board has a third vacancy to fill.… MORE
At ISU, Rauner sees massive investments in higher education
Gov. Bruce Rauner touted the new state budget during his visit Thursday to Illinois State University, noting it includes $62 million to modernize and rebuild ISU’s College of Fine Arts.… MORE
Normal unveils proposed recycling mandates for landlords
A proposed ordinance requiring landlords in Normal to offer onsite recycling for their tenants is turning into a debate whether government should issue mandates or continue to ask for voluntary efforts to increase recycling.… MORE
Governor Rauner approves Uptown Normal TIF District extension
Governor Bruce Rauner, visiting Illinois State University Thursday afternoon, signed into law a bill that extends the lifespan of Uptown Normal’s tax increment financing district by 12 years.… MORE
Clinton City Administrator: “We will move on” following Walmart closing
After Walmart’s corporate offices announced the closing of Clinton’s Walmart store near the end of July, uncertainty filled the air surrounding the retail space and the impact on Clinton’s economy.… 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…