The McLean County State’s Attorney says despite the recent uptick in murders in the area, crime stats are actually trending in the right direction.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
New location picked for Connect Transit
Trustees overseeing Bloomington-Normal’s public transit system have picked their favorite site for an estimated $18 million transfer center in Downtown Bloomington.… MORE
Panel of tourism and hospitality professionals urges state senators to get Illinois moving
A Senate committee hearing gave the hotel and restaurant people of Illinois another chance to air out their complaints.… MORE
Illinois corn growers are out with their legislative wish list
Illinois corn growers are out with their legislative wish lists – for both Washington and Springfield. Association president Randy DeSutter of Knox County says it’s about transportation.… MORE
Solar Energy expert: Texas blackouts due to climate change
As power slowly comes back on in the lone star state due to a nationwide winter storm leaving millions without power, the massive blackouts are mainly caused by climate change, according to a solar energy expert.… MORE
Presidential historian writes new book about George Washington
It’s in fashion now to highlight the flaws of people who used to be heroes.… MORE
Secretary of State’s office reminding drivers to follow Scott’s Law
Motorists are being reminded to move over and slow down for all stopped emergency vehicles.… MORE
Central Illinois regional COVID vaccination site is at the state fairgrounds
State and Sangamon County leaders showed off central Illinois’ regional mass vaccination site Thursday.… MORE
State Senators tour nuclear power plant in Clinton
Senators are studying Illinois nuclear plants as energy policy could be in for a rewrite in Illinois.… MORE
Madigan leaving the Illinois House at month’s end
An old nemesis says the resignation of longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) is “one of the best birthday presents ever.”… 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…