Illinois is entering its fourth month without a state budget with no apparent end in sight.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Kinzinger: Russian air strikes result of poor US leadership
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) said the United States lacks a clear strategy in the Middle East and we are seeing the fallout from that as Russia launches air strikes into Syria.
… MORE
Renner: Park district wouldn’t save taxpayers money
If Bloomington’s budget task force is going to be successful in creating a new park district as a separate taxing body to alleviate come of the city’s financial burden, it will have to do so without mayor Tari Renner’s support.… MORE
Bloomington renews subdivision agreement
Bloomington has agreed to waive development fees for a proposed subdivision that’s been stalled because of a difficult housing market.… MORE
Unit 5 begins strategic planning
Unit 5 wants the public’s help as it begins strategic planning.… MORE
Reilly felt ‘obligated’ to request additional sales tax hike
The proposal that Bloomington raise its sales tax one-quarter percent for schools on top of the one-percent hike it approved this week came as a surprise to some.… MORE
Route 66 visitors center attracts tourists from 30 countries
Plenty of tourists have been getting their kicks at the new Route 66 Visitors Center in downtown Bloomington.… MORE
Rep. Brady: Courts, budget bills relieve pressure to pass budget
State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, seems to be longing for the days when the legislative leaders would be locked into a room until they got a deal done.… MORE
Nobel Prize winner featured in ISU lecture series
Illinois State University is marking 50 years in its Adlai E. Stevenson Lecture series by bringing in someone who dedicated much of his life to ridding the world of nuclear weapons.… MORE
El Niño expected to bring milder winter to Central Illinois
As the summer of 2015 draws to a close, the weather experts have their eye toward winter. This winter is expected to be milder in Central Illinois.… 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…