There’s been little movement in recent weeks toward ending the state budget stalemate, but state Sen. Jason Barickman said higher education could be next pressure point that forces the legislative leaders to the table.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Sen. Brady pushes enterprise zone extension to aid Mitsubishi site
The state tax incentive program that helped Bloomington-Normal land Mitsubishi Motors three decades ago is about to expire just as the plant announces plans to stop production.… MORE
St. Jude brings telethon to new Bloomington site
McLean County’s annual St. Jude telethon has found a new home this year – Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center.… MORE
Local governments hope to recoup withheld gambling revenue
Local governments counting on gambling revenue from the state could be walking away empty-handed.… MORE
Rep. Brady: Vote to reject pay raise a ‘no-brainer’
State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the bill to reject lawmakers pay raises should be a ‘no-brainer.’… MORE
Bloomington presents cost-cutting ideas to task force
Bloomington city staff has presented the city’s budget task force with ideas to help plug a budget shortfall, but city manager David Hales cautions against stretching city staff any further.… MORE
Auto expert: Mitsubishi hurt by ‘destructive’ campaign, lack of US niche
An automotive expert said Mitsubishi Motors could have a tough time finding a buyer for the plant in Normal it wants to sell after announcing last week it was going to stop production later this year.… MORE
B-N leaders begin ‘difficult’ task of recouping lost Mitsubishi jobs
Local economic developers plan to establish a task force to come up with ways to find a new buyer to take over the Mitsubishi Motors plant which plans to stop production later this year.… MORE
Developer says he could save Bloomington $35M in investment over decade
A local developer said he could save Bloomington a lot of ‘green’ by taking over its three golf courses.… MORE
Rauner: Ruling on state worker pay keeps government running
The Rauner administration got a legal victory late last week when an appeals court ruled the comptroller’s office can continue to pay state workers even without a budget, but Gov. Bruce Rauner won’t say whether that might take some of the pressure off getting a deal done.… 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…