The Illinois State Police announced that it, in conjunction with Normal Police, raided an area massage spa and recovered a person who had been trafficked.… MORE
Category Archives: Top Stories
Illinois community-based foster homes face insurance ‘crisis’
Insurance companies are reducing the scope of coverage for some community foster agencies in Illinois, leading to higher costs, diminished coverage and fewer options for agencies who say a continuance of the trend could lead to closures. … MORE
Normal police get $750,000 grant to hire new officers
On Thursday, US Representative Eric Sorensen presented the Town of Normal with a check to help with public safety.… MORE
Crimo sentenced to consecutive life sentences; high court upholds ‘venue shopping’ law
The man who pleaded guilty to a mass shooting in 2022 in Highland Park that left seven people dead and prompted the passage of a ban on assault-style weapons in Illinois, has been sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences. … MORE
Safety targeted at Bloomington White Oak Road and Market Street intersection redesign
White Oak Road between Market and Locust Streets is re-opened to traffic with a new traffic pattern. … MORE
UPDATED: Sheriff identifies alleged shooter in South Pekin double homicide
A 21-year-old man is in jail Thursday afternoon, hours after he allegedly shot and killed two people at a South Pekin home.… MORE
‘They Still Deserve More’ protesters seek support for caretakers of people with disabilities
Protesters flooded the rotunda of the Illinois Statehouse earlier this month, urging legislators to increase wages for caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The ‘They Deserve More’ coalition — representing advocacy organizations, families and over 90 agencies providing community care — is asking that these direct support personnel, or DSPs, receive at least 150% of Illinois’ minimum wage.… MORE
Jury in Sen. Emil Jones III bribery trial indicates possible deadlock
The jury considering state Sen. Emil Jones III’s federal corruption trial indicated late Wednesday that it may be deadlocked on two of the three counts Jones is charged with after 18 hours of deliberations.… MORE
Groundbreaking for Constitution Trail expansion at Heartland College
Heartland Community College in Normal hosted a groundbreaking for an expansion of the Constitution Trail around the college’s Birky Pond on Wednesday.… MORE
UPDATED: Two dead in South Pekin shooting; suspect arrested
Two people are dead and one person is in custody after an early Thursday morning double shooting in South Pekin.… 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…