Wednesday, the Normal Town Council voted to extend both emergency COVID-19 orders until Jan. 1.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Special House committee will investigate Madigan and ComEd
There’s action to report on Commonwealth Edison and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).… MORE
Emergency COVID orders not on Bloomington’s agenda, says Mayor Renner
Bloomington’s mayor said Tuesday he’s “very pleased” that local businesses are cracking down on capacity limits after he issued a stern warning last week amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers hear about police training in three-hour hearing
As President Trump was in Kenosha, some Illinois lawmakers Tuesday heard about police training and the use of force.… MORE
Monthly measure of Illinois economy shows state on somewhat of a comeback
A monthly measure of the Illinois economy is on somewhat of a comeback. The Flash index, the University of Illinois’ gauge of Illinois’ economic activity, inched up over the past month from 93.9 to 94.6. 100 is the break-even point between growth and contraction.… MORE
Mayor Lightfoot wants state help
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot’s request for state help with the city’s projected budget deficit – specifically, with city pensions – is getting the sort of reaction you might expect.… MORE
Booker, Baldwin wow virtual brunch
This year’s Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association state fair brunch was not at the state fair, nor was it a brunch.… MORE
Help for minority-owned business
For small business people, the during-and-after weeks of COVID-19 could be the right time to grab a share of the economy.… MORE
Latest town council hopeful aims to boost diversity in decision-making
A Bradley University professor is stepping forward as a candidate for the Normal Town Council.… MORE
Koos announces he will seek another term
Chris Koos Wednesday announced he will seek another term as mayor of Normal.… 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…