A state lawmaker is looking for answers following Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive order allowing prisoner furloughs.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
MCHD: “We are approaching the peak of that curve” after COVID-19 cases increase to 63
A day after the McLean County Health Department announced the most cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began, health officials announced one new case moving the county total to 63 confirmed cases.… MORE
CEO of Mid-West Truckers Association: ‘Trucking business is strong’
If you pay attention to the billboards or to the signs on the trucks … the trucking companies want you to apply for a job. And the trucking business is strong — if only you can get a commercial driver’s license.… MORE
City blocks golf course entrances due to golfers
Many businesses are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, including golf courses.… MORE
Unit 5 set to receive $1.6 Million as part of COVID-19 stimulus package
As part of the $2.2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package, Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel announced Unit 5 would receive $1.6 million.… MORE
The ACLU is asking Illinois police departments to educate gatherings without making arrests
The ACLU of Illinois called on law enforcement agencies across the state to avoid using widespread arrests to enforce Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency stay-at-home order.… MORE
Illinois’ medically vulnerable to be furloughed from prison as COVID-19 hits Stateville Correctional Center
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed an executive order to allow medically vulnerable people out of Illinois’ prisons during the COVID-19 emergency.… MORE
OSF HealthCare making cuts to top executives’ salaries amid COVID-19 pandemic
OSF HealthCare has announced top executives are having their salaries reduced and plans to furlough some employees are in the works amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.… MORE
Woman from Normal found dead in southern Illinois; ISP launches homicide investigation
A woman from Normal was found dead in southern Illinois and Illinois State Police have launched a homicide investigation.… MORE
First COVID-19 death reported in Ford County
Health officials have reported the first COVID-19 death in Ford County.… 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…