Gov. Pritzker announced Sunday the closure of restaurants and bars until March 30; however, Normal Mayor Kris Koos said he would be ditching cooking at home and order carry out as much as possible.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Normal shopping habits encouraged as Illinois grocers work to restock shelves
With Illinois restaurants set to close dine-in service Monday night, more demand is expected at grocery stores.… MORE
State Sen. Jason Barickman: Closure of restaurants and bars will be ‘devastating’
On Sunday, Gov. Pritzker announced starting Monday night through March 30 due to COVID-19; however, one local lawmaker said Pritzker’s decision could have a rippling effect on the economy.… MORE
Lawmakers bracing for running the General Assembly by conference call
Depending on how long the coronavirus crisis lasts, the question of running the General Assembly by conference call – or something – may come up.… MORE
Pritzker endorses Biden on eve of Illinois primary
Gov. J.B. Pritzker endorsed Joe Biden for president on the eve of Illinois’ primary, saying Monday that the Democratic former vice president “is the right candidate to beat Donald Trump and lead us into a new era.”… MORE
McLean County Board meeting postponed until end of month
The McLean County Board will postpone its meeting Tuesday night until March 31 to minimize the spread of COVID-19.… MORE
Restrictions announced for Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court cases
The Chief Judge for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Courts has ordered only specific cases will be heard in light of concerns over the coronavirus.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker announces fourteen new cases of COVID-19
Gov. JB Pritzker has changed his mind and ordered K-12 schools in the state to close for two weeks. How did he do a 180 on this since Thursday.… MORE
New bill would limit use of solitary confinement in Illinois prisons
The harrowing story of a man who spent more than two decades in solitary confinement is now the call to arms for advocates looking to limit how Illinois prisons can use the practice. … MORE
Splitting Illinois into to two, ending alcohol prohibition and pot among measures local voters could decide
Voters throughout Illinois will be deciding on a variety of local measures Tuesday, from a binding referendum to end alcohol prohibition, to non-binding questions about splitting Chicago from the rest of the state and more.… 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…