Category Archives: State News

Illinois Poison Center raising public awareness about poison dangers

Illinois Poison Center raising public awareness about poison dangers

By WMBD-TV PEORIA – The Illinois Poison Center, the nation’s oldest poison center, is joining other poison centers to raise awareness for National Poison Prevention Week. This year’s NPPW theme is “When the unexpected happens, Poison Help is here for you 24/7″, The campaign runs from March 17 to March 23, according to an IPC…MORE

LaHood, Sorensen on potential TikTok ban

LaHood, Sorensen on potential TikTok ban

By WMBD-TV PEORIA – As TikTok faces an uncertain future in the United States, two Illinois Congressmen are explaining why they voted ‘yes’ on a bill to force the social media company to part ways with its Chinese parent company ByteDance. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) said its too risky to allow the Chinese Communist Party…MORE

Measles makes its way to Illinois: what healthcare professionals are saying

Measles makes its way to Illinois: what healthcare professionals are saying

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Chicago reported eight cases of confirmed measles, and suspect approximately 100 people to be exposed. Health care professionals said that if you are vaccinated, you aren’t at high risk. Although cases of measles are growing, 17 states now reported measles, it’s not as quick as COVID-19, due to the measles, mumps,…MORE

First round of funds for Illinois EV charging stations begins

First round of funds for Illinois EV charging stations begins

By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday the first official “Notice of Funding Opportunity for Round One of the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program.” According to an IDOT news release, the program will provide up $50 million for 46 charging stations across Illinois. “Ongoing EV adoption is a priority…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…