By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) announced on Monday his retirement from the Senate at the end of his current term, which expires Jan. 10, 2023. Barickman has served in the General Assembly for 12 years. He currently represents the 53rd District, which covers parts of McLean, Livingston, Woodford and Ford…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Correct diagnosis of suicide risk among pregnant women and new mothers lags far behind if the woman is Black. Karen Tabb Dina (DEE-nuh), an associate professor of social work at the University of Illinois, says the numbers are there. The answers are not. “We’re finding that it is different; the…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Looking back on his losing campaign for governor and just weeks away from being out of office entirely, State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) says it’s not as if some part of him were left unknown to the public. “I don’t think anything,” Bailey said this week. “I have no regrets.…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Rotunda of the state Capitol is starting to fill up with holiday displays. So far there is a tree, a Nativity scene, a menorah, and a poster from the secretary of state’s office explaining the First Amendment. If past is prologue, they’ll soon be joined by a poster from…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – With police seemingly under more scrutiny than ever … maybe this is more timely than ever — practice on when to fire your weapon. It’s usually a split-second decision for an officer. Sgt. Jasmin (cq) Dixon helped demonstrate the MILO system – Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives – for reporters Wednesday…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Carl Sandburg said it – Chicago is the player with railroads and the nation’s freight handler. But a railroad workers’ strike would have a damaging interruption, and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association president and CEO Mark Denzler says we can’t afford that. “There are seven Class I railroads. There are twelve unions,”…… MORE
It took just a few minutes, but – for those who were watching – it was a memorable sight. … MORE
The pandemic hit people aged 35-44 harder in its second year than the first.… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – October marked the 17th month in a row of job growth in Illinois. The state unemployment rate increased slightly last month from 4.5% to 4.6%, but 3,600 jobs were added says Illinois Department of Employment Security director Kristin Richards. “This tells us that payroll job growth has continued to instill…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Firearm deer season opens Friday in Illinois. It’s time for hunters to get out in the fields for the seven day firearm season, which is the most popular of the year says state conservation police officer Zach Williams. “We call it when the blaze orange army comes out because that…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…