Public employees earn public salaries. Everybody is okay with that, yet in the case of Tony Smith, Illinois’ state school superintendent, lawmakers are figuratively flogging him in the public square over his compensation.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Sen. Brady pushes enterprise zone extension to aid Mitsubishi site
The state tax incentive program that helped Bloomington-Normal land Mitsubishi Motors three decades ago is about to expire just as the plant announces plans to stop production.… MORE
Durbin defends Planned Parenthood amid effort to pull funding
Efforts to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood are misguided, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).… MORE
Normal to vote on ISU land trade
Normal’s Town Council will vote Monday night on approving the land swap deal with Illinois State University.… MORE
Disabled veteran bringing his foundation to Bloomington
By Andy Dahn BLOOMINGTON – Losing his vision during the Iraq War hasn’t stopped Steve Baskis from mountain climbing, skiing and traveling the world. The founder of the Blind Endeavors Foundation is now bringing his mission to Bloomington. The war veteran will hold an open house at Blind Endeavors Downtown Bloomington location on Aug. 7…… MORE
New state law aims to help small business owners
It’s not your father’s investment, and it’s not Kickstarter.… MORE
St. Jude Telethon raises over $9 million
Saturday’s 38th annual St. Jude Telethon raised a grand total of $9,135,3939, up from $8.3 million last year.… MORE
6 Bloomington churches sponsor west side block party
A summer tradition is back in Bloomington at one of the city’s oldest institutions. … MORE
Illinois seeks to become the global farming leader
State farming organizations have joined forces to put Illinois at the forefront of the worldwide agriculture industry. … MORE
Car insurance companies put more stock in finances than driving records
By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network BLOOMINGTON – What a puzzle – how do insurance companies figure out what to charge you? A new Consumer Reports investigation says your credit score has an outsize role, more so than even your driving record. Missy Dundov, a spokeswoman for Bloomington-based State Farm, said “it is a factor, but…… 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…