With the prospect of waiting until June 26, many Illinois restaurant owners are wondering if their businesses will be able to stay afloat through the pandemic and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase plan to reopen the state.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
McLean County state’s attorney, sheriff release statement on ‘enforceability’ of governor’s orders
The McLean County state’s attorney and sheriff say the violation of the governor’s executive orders surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic does not equate to a violation of the Illinois criminal code… MORE
Boating on Illinois waterways is once again permitted, but some are objecting to limits placed on the number of people aboard
Boating on Illinois waterways is once again permitted, but some are objecting to limits placed on the number of people aboard.… MORE
Illinois businesses worry about uncertainty in navigating Pritzker’s reopen plan
Illinois businesses can expect new guidance from the state laying out what to expect from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase plan to reopen the state, but there could be changes.… MORE
Tax incentives offered for candy company to expand in Bloomington
At a time when the economy is at a standstill, a tax incentive package is being offered to one of the nation’s largest candy makers with the hope it will expand its plant in southwest Bloomington and hire dozens of new workers.… MORE
Leading statehouse Republican says Pritzker’s ‘major flaw’ is not addressing human toll from Illinois shutdown
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s failure to focus on issues outside of the public health arena during the COVID-19 crisis was a significant shortcoming.… MORE
Downstate Illinois looks to their own reopening plans amid COVID-19 crisis
Several counties in central and southern Illinois are preparing to issue their own plans to reopen their economies, despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order and his five-phase regional plan to reopen Illinois.… MORE
Illinoisans still having problems filing claims
As the number of people seeking unemployment benefits continues to rise in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic, many say they are still experiencing problems filing claims.… MORE
COVID-19 seen to take out big chunk of McLean County government budget
McLean County government’s budget is likely to take a multi-million dollar hit because much of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county administrator reported Wednesday… MORE
House GOP lawmakers are critical of the governor’s ‘Restore Illinois’ plan
The Republicans in the Illinois House don’t care much for Gov. Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan, nor do they like spending two months away from the Capitol. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) says Gov. JB Pritzker is assuming too much power.… 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…