Illinois State University on Friday celebrated the completion of the renovated Bone Student Center, a project that cost almost $33 million and took years to complete.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Economic waters are rising in Illinois
University of Illinois professor Fred Giertz says his figures show Illinois is in positive territory for the first time since before the pandemic began.… MORE
McLean County reports 3 additional COVID-related deaths
Three more McLean County residents have died from coronavirus complications.… MORE
ISU trustees approve several resolutions
A number of resolutions were approved Friday morning by Illinois State University’s governing board.… MORE
Map madness has some state lawmakers in its grip
The opposing political parties in Springfield offer opposing views of just how diabolical the every-ten-years process of redistricting really is.… MORE
Children’s Discovery Museum reopening to members with plans to reopen to the public coming
For the first time in 13-months, the Children’s Discovery Museum in Uptown Normal is reopening its doors.… MORE
Urban vs. rural interests compete as McLean County panel signs off on remap plan
A proposal making major changes how McLean County residents are represented on the county board won the backing of a board committee Thursday night.… MORE
Somber Illinois tradition resumes in Springfield
After a year off because of the coronavirus, and with a refurbished and improved statue standing behind them, police officers and families from around the state gathered for Illinois’ annual police memorial ceremony.… MORE
Governor announces state will enter Bridge Phase May 14, could fully reopen next month
Illinois will enter the Bridge Phase of the Restore Illinois plan on May 14 and could fully reopen by June 11, according to Gov. JB Pritzker.… MORE
32 new cases of COVID in McLean County
Local health officials Thursday reported 32 new cases of coronavirus as McLean County’s rolling positivity rate inched down to 4.1%.… 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…