U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) expressed hope that future federal budget discussions will be bipartisan, even after the House vote that removed California representative Kevin McCarthy from the speakership. … MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
One dead after McLean County crash involving train
A person has died after a crash involving a vehicle and a train just after 1:30 p.m. Thursday.… MORE
New “bio hub” coming to Chicago to eradicated diseases
The Pritzker administration is bragging about a big “get” – a research “biohub” in Chicago that’s part of a Mark Zuckerberg project. … MORE
Rivian automotive shares sink on Wall Street
Rivian Automotive shares sunk on Wall Street Thursday afternoon after the company announced plans to raise over a billion dollars in capital.… MORE
Man charged for allegedly colliding with Woodford County Sheriff deputy’s vehicle
By WMBD-TV WOODFORD COUNTY – A man who was allegedly driving while impaired when his Kia Sorrento collided with a Woodford County Sheriff’s deputy’s squad car will find out Friday if he’ll be held pending trial. Emmanual Lehani, 42, of Indianapolis appeared in Woodford County Circuit Court on Wednesday, one day after he allegedly collided…… MORE
ISU professors announce intent to form union
Hundreds of Illinois State University faculty could soon be part of their own union.… MORE
Illinois DCFS director resigning at end of year
Illinois DCFS director Marc Smith has announced his resignation, effective Dec. 31.… MORE
Local college rolling out free tuition and fees for qualifying students
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield campus of the University of Illinois is rolling out the “Prairie Promise.” It’s a waiver of tuition and fees for qualifying students. In addition to qualifying for the MAP grant program, UIS vice chancellor for enrollment and retention management Vickie Cook says there are other requirements: “Students need…… MORE
McLean County Zoning tables CO2 sequestration drilling impacting Mahomet Aquifer
By WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – The McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals tabled an item impacting the Mahomet Aquifer and CO2 pipelines. The board intended to vote on amended use standards for CO2 Sequestration Drilling. These recommendations came from the Land Use and Development Committee. The board’s main meeting room was unavailable. The temporary room…… MORE
Alleged DUI driver collides with Woodford County Sheriff’s deputy squad car on I-74
A person has been cited by the Illinois State Police for allegedly colliding with a Woodford County Sheriff’s deputy vehicle early Tuesday morning.… 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…