After announcing he won’t seek a third term earlier this year, Bloomington’s Mayor reflects on his time in office less than two weeks before election day.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Juneteenth could be state holiday
Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery on June 19, 1865, would become a state holiday in Illinois, under a bill which has passed a committee.… MORE
Bill to greater facilitate vote-by-mail receives stamp of approval of Dems on Illinois Senate committee
A bill to greater facilitate vote-by-mail – requiring the votes to count even when the ballots come postage due – has the stamp of approval of Democrats on an Illinois Senate committee.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker receives COVID-19 vaccine
Gov. JB Pritzker Wednesday added himself to the more than five million Illinoisans vaccinated against COVID-19. He said about two-thirds of Illinoisans age 65 and up – and almost a third of Illinoisans sixteen and up – have been jabbed.… MORE
The “State of Education” shows public support for teachers
The “State of Education” shows public support for teachers, according to the state’s largest teachers union. … MORE
Governor signs four economic equity and opportunity bills
After two decades in Springfield, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) says she finally sees why she is dissatisfied driving home after every May 31.… MORE
Governor and Illinois Legislative Black Caucus celebrate education workforce bill
It was a victory lap Monday afternoon for the governor and for members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, gathering at Olive Harvey College on the south side of Chicago to celebrate the caucus-pushed workforce / education bill.… MORE
$11.8 million O’Neil pool, skate park project wins Bloomington City Council backing
The Bloomington City Council is willing to borrow money to build a new swimming pool and make other improvements at O’Neil Park on the city’s west side.… MORE
Sen. Duckworth labels Rep. Davis calling COVID-19 ‘kung flu’ as “racist”
As Illinois’ two U.S. senators convened a Zoom call to label this week’s Atlanta spa killing spree a hate crime, local U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) was quoted by CNN as making remarks that appear ill-timed at best and racist at worst.… MORE
Democrats in Illinois House condemn Rep. Chris Miller for “fighting words” leading up to Capitol insurrection
The supermajority Democrats in the Illinois House condemned Rep, Chris Miller (R-Oakland) for what you might call “fighting words” leading up to the Capitol insurrection of Jan. 6.… 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…