Abortion rights became an issue at Thursday night’s McLean County Board meeting as the board approved a lease agreement to rent space at a pregnancy center that discourages abortions.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Meet the new Speaker of the Illinois House
Chris Welch (D-Hillside) is not quite used to the fact that, when somebody says, “Mister Speaker!”, they are talking to him.… MORE
Bloomington man picked to lead McLean County Democrats
McLean County Democrats’ new leader is taking over as the party aims to end Republican dominance in local politics.… MORE
Illinois Senate sworn in
There was no intrigue over someone who’d been in office fifty years, and nobody used an acceptance speech to settle a political score. But the Illinois Senate did indeed have its swearing-in ceremony Wednesday.… MORE
Swearing-in of a new Illinois House Speaker
New Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) spoke of a new day in Illinois during Wednesday’s inauguration.… MORE
Illinois has a new Speaker of the House
The work has just begun for the new Speaker of the Illinois House, to set himself apart from his predecessor, Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).… MORE
Rep. Davis says new security systems at U.S. Capitol are “all for show”
According to one Central Illinois lawmaker, new security systems installed at the Capitol is “all for show” and takes away resources from Capitol police who face threats outside the complex.… MORE
llinois House Democrats try to choose a new speaker
A deal is apparently together to make State Rep. Chris Welch (pictured) (pictured) (D-Hillside) the next Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.… MORE
Central Illinois businesses receive portions of ‘BIG’ grant to help with COVID-hardship
Coronavirus relief is here for small businesses in McLean County as businesses will share a slice of state funding to help with COVID-19 hardships.… MORE
Bloomington adopts Welcoming America plan despite calls for stronger aid for undocumented immigrants
The Bloomington City Council Monday night agreed to participate in a non-profit group’s effort to help immigrants feel more at home in U.S. communities.… 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…