Shortly after accompanying the vice president on a visit to the U.S.-Mexican border near El Paso, Tex., U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says there’s still a problem.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator says the work continues on a new infrastructure bill
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is in on the talks toward a new infrastructure bill. And he says people asking, how do you pay for it, are asking the same question he is.… MORE
McLean County Board to consider approval of massive wind farm
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Dozens of wind energy turbines will be sprouting up on more McLean County farmland if elected leaders approve the project. A Chicago-based energy firm is applying for a special use permit to build up to 64 turbines over 14,000 acres in Bellflower and West Townships, southeast of Bloomington-Normal. The wind…… MORE
Women in need benefited from the work of senators from around the state by getting free toiletries
Underprivileged women – the homeless and domestic violence victims – benefited from a giveaway of personal care products, including those for feminine hygiene, organized by women senators from around Illinois.… MORE
Normal to continue outdoor dining, council also boosts city manager’s pay above $200K
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Outdoor dining will continue in Normal at least until the end of the year following town council action Monday night. Council members also agreed to give City Manager Pam Reece a pay raise, although one of the elected officials voted against the pay hike. The council voted unanimously to grant Reece…… MORE
Former Bloomington mayor weighs candidacy for newly-drawn Illinois House seat
Now that Tari Renner is no longer Bloomington’s mayor, he’s considering a run for the Illinois legislature.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker signs legislation making Juneteenth an official state holiday
By WJBC Staff SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Wednesday declaring June 19, Juneteenth, an official state holiday. To commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the United States and its territories in 1865, Juneteenth will be recognized as National Freedom Day in Illinois. “Just as Illinois led the nation as the first state to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment,…… MORE
State Sen. Barickman calls state budget “fatally flawed”
A Central Illinois lawmaker, who is mulling a decision to run for Governor, says Illinois’ new state budget was ‘fatally flawed.”… MORE
ISU, Bradley professors on what to expect out of Biden-Putin meeting
President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting is set to be the event of the week on Wednesday.… MORE
Sen. Durbin calling for an investigation into Trump-era DOJ
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin is calling for an investigation in Congress and the Department of Justice Inspector General to produce materials relating to a decision in the Trump-era DOJ.… 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…