U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has called Trade Promotion Authority ‘the most significant giveaway of congressional authority to the president in modern memory.’… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Bloomington mayor wants to end consulting contract
Bloomington’s mayor isn’t happy with the role that a consulting firm played – or didn’t play – in the city’s negotiations for a downtown redevelopment plan.… MORE
Bloomington budget task force begins number-crunching
A task force has taken a look at some sobering numbers for the city of Bloomington.… MORE
Bloomington officials reaffirm commitment to downtown
A proposal to redevelop downtown Bloomington got a cool reception from alderman this week, but city officials say this is only the start of the conversation.… MORE
Aircraft maintenance company to move to CIRA
Central Illinois Regional Airport has landed a new tenant.… MORE
Deadline extended for History Makers Gala tickets
Organizers of the 4th annual McLean County History Makers Gala have extended the deadline for tickets.… MORE
EDC chief: Front ‘N’ Center building not worth saving
One building in a proposed redevelopment of downtown Bloomington might be salvaged, but one advocate for the project says there’s one building that has to go.… MORE
Bloomington officials review downtown development plan
Mayor Tari Renner said he has one question for the developer who has submitted a proposal to tear down and redevelop an entire block in downtown Bloomington.… MORE
Kinzinger: US must learn from military ‘boondoggles’
As Congress debates a $577 billion defense spending bill, U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger acknowledges the Defense Department hasn’t always been wise with the money it has spent.… MORE
UPDATED: Bloomington-Normal officers go ‘on top’ for Special Olympics
Some local police officers will be spending all day at the donut shop for a good cause.… 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…