Lawmakers and State Treasurer Mike Frerichs are urging House members and then the Governor to follow the lead of the Illinois Senate and approve $373 million in Monetary Assistance Program money — or, MAP grants for college students.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Two men arrested after trying to send marijuana through the mail
Two men from Normal have been arrested for trying to send nearly 500 grams of cannabis through the mail.… MORE
Lincoln College marks 150th anniversary by making its grand soiree public
Lincoln College is honoring its namesake and its 150th anniversary with a first-time public fundraiser.… MORE
Rauner, IEMA officials honor first responders at 9/11 ceremony
Governor Bruce Rauner recognizes Illinois’ first responders on the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, during the annual Illinois Emergency Management Agency conference in Springfield.… MORE
Bloomington City Council retreat to focus on goals and self-improvement
The Bloomington City Council will hold a retreat Saturday at the Den at Fox Creek golf course.… MORE
Survey: Illinois one of worst lawsuit climate states
A survey ranks Illinois among the worst states for its lawsuit climate, a claim which the state’s trial lawyers call “bogus.”… MORE
Bloomington City Council to discuss sales tax increase Monday
The Bloomington City Council will discuss a potential sales tax increase at Monday night’s meeting, but the council won’t vote on a one-percent increase until the following week.… MORE
ISU rescheduling State of the University address
Illinois State University is rescheduling the president’s annual State of the University address.… MORE
Illinois Wesleyan set to name 19th president
Illinois Wesleyan University has scheduled a news conference for Monday morning when it will announce its 19th president. … MORE
Tri-Valley school set to reopen after mold problem
Tri-Valley school officials say grade school students will be able to return to their school next Tuesday after a mold problem forced them to share space at the middle school and high schools.… 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…