By 25 News NORMAL – A group called “Citizens for a Better Normal” claims to have gathered enough signatures from residents to place a referendum on the November ballot that would create district representation on the town council. Group members said they filed a petition Monday signed by almost 2,200 people to put the issue…… MORE
Opening statements begin Tuesday in Livingston County for the man charged in a 2019 triple murder in Cullom, Illinois.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Even though Highland Park’s Fourth of July massacre was just a few weeks ago, it was far from the dominant theme of Thursday’s meeting of the Illinois House Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force. The chairman, State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), questioned Scott Pulaski, a gun dealer from Alton.…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – The Normal Town Council has voted to approve license plate reading traffic cameras purchased from Flock Safety for just over $83,000. Normal Police said earlier that the data obtained from the cameras won’t be shared with or sold to third parties. The information will only be used to solve and reduce…… MORE
A Central Illinois congressman, who fell in the primary, is detailing his next career path.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – One of the first things Gov. JB Pritzker did after defeating a nominal opponent in Tuesday’s primary was to sit for two days of interviews with statehouse reporters. He told WJBC’s Dave Dahl that “anti-corruption” Aurora mayor Richard Irvin turned out to be corrupt himself, and that Republican primary winner…… MORE
By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) beat six candidates in Tuesday’s primary election and will face Gov. JB Pritzker in the November election. Bailey received 57% of the vote, with Jesse Sullivan getting 16% and Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin receiving 15%. Local Republican State Rep. Dan Brady easily beat John Milhiser…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A wind turbine would tower above the Rivian plant in west Normal if the town’s government signs off on the electric vehicle maker’s plans next month. The company’s wind project aims to deliver to customers its pickup and sport utility vehicles charged with on-site renewable energy. Earlier this year, Rivian…… MORE
Admitting she voted for herself, State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) strolled into the Christian County courthouse in Taylorville Tuesday morning and participated in early voting. … MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Board on Thursday signed off on construction of two solar farms after receiving assurances that the developers will hire local workers. The board voted unanimously after a leader of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said unions had reached an agreement with Cypress Creek Renewables. The…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…