Now that Bloomington has raised its sales tax rate by one percent starting in January, city officials hope they can find their way out of a projected $7 million shortfall by then.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
GOP strategist: Poor debate showing could begin Trump demise
A Republican strategist predicts Donald Trump will start to drop in the polls in the presidential race after what he considered to be a poor showing by Trump in this week’s debate.… MORE
Durbin: US should accept up to 100,000 Syrian refugees
The Obama administration has suggested allowing up to 10,000 refugees from Syria. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) believes that proposal is too modest.… MORE
Renner: Bloomington to use sales tax to ‘keep our doors open’
Normal town officials have asked Bloomington to join them in funding several projects if the city follows suit in passing a sales tax increase, but the city is looking at other priorities.… MORE
CIRA gets federal grant to upgrade service road
A service road at Central Illinois Regional Airport will be getting some upgrades, thanks to a federal grant.… MORE
Bloomington holds public hearing on sales tax increase
The Bloomington City Council heard from several residents on a proposed one-percent sales tax increase Monday night.… MORE
Davis: Not enough support to rebuke Iran nuclear deal
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said he expects a legislative rebuke of the Iran nuclear deal won’t have enough support to override a veto.… MORE
Bloomington alderman: There’s been little talk of sales tax hike
Even though Bloomington could vote on a sales tax increase as early as next week, the city’s budget task force isn’t expected to produce its recommendations for plugging a $7 million deficit until later this month.… MORE
Race for the Cure honorary chair gives back after recovery
A local breast cancer survivor is paying it forward.… MORE
Sen. Brady: State can’t afford pay raises for union workers
Gov. Bruce Rauner wants AFSCME, the state’s largest employee union, to agree to many of the same concessions that are included in the state’s tentative contract with several Teamsters union units.… 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…