The Bloomington City Council’s contract with City Manager Tim Gleason has been extended nine months, but his annual salary will remain the same at a little more than $197,000.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
AARP says the COVID-19 crisis has widened racial and economic disparities
AARP and other groups say the coronavirus crisis has only widened racial and economic disparities.… MORE
Ex-Sen. McCann indicted
The latest story of political corruption in Illinois hits a former lawmaker – and minor-party gubernatorial candidate – from the Springfield area.… MORE
Illinois Republicans discuss voter empowerment package
“Voter empowerment” is a theme of Illinois Republicans in the legislature now.… MORE
Rep. Kinzinger launches new PAC and says “the future of the GOP is on the line”
After becoming the first Republican to vote to impeach former President Donald Trump, a Northern Illinois lawmaker with ties to Central Illinois is creating a new movement to push back against his party.… MORE
Sen. Dick Durbin on upcoming impeachment trial
The senator who makes his home in Springfield says former President Trump should be held accountable for what happened Jan. 6 – the Capitol insurrection. … MORE
State Rep. Brady calling on Gov. Pritzker to veto police reform bill
Law enforcement agencies across the state are calling for Gov. Pritzker to veto a police reform bill that passed during the lame-duck session, which ends cash bail within two years.… MORE
Illinois Comptroller looks at the bill backlog
Comptroller Susana Mendoza says the state’s pile of unpaid bills is now shorter than $5 billion.… MORE
Sen. Durbin says COVID vaccines could distribute faster under President Biden
Under President Joe Biden, Coronavirus vaccines could be distributed faster, according to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.… MORE
Normal council weighs in on police response to last spring’s looting
A Normal Town Council member said she takes offense to suggestions from another council member that police were not prepared to handle the unrest that followed the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody last spring.… 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…