Illinois is ahead of the national average in terms of responding to the U.S. Census, according to federal officials.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
MCHD reports most COVID-19 cases since pandemic began
In what is the most significant increase since the coronavirus pandemic began, the McLean County Health Department announced 14 new cases, surging the county total to 62 confirmed cases.… MORE
House Majority Leader: “It’s going to be very bad news” speaking of sales tax revenue
One of the lawmakers who will have to put state finances back together says there will be no good choices.… MORE
Bloomington and Normal differ in strategies to boost stay-at-home compliance
Bloomington’s city government is employing a different strategy than neighboring Normal by urging rather than forcing compliance with Gov. JB Pritzker’s Stay-At-Home order.… MORE
Rivian suffers pandemic-related setback, electric vehicles won’t be made in Normal this year
The COVID-19 pandemic is delaying production of electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles at Rivian Automotive’s factory in Normal.… MORE
Rural schools in Illinois work to get food to students during COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 crisis has hit rural and small Illinois school districts hard. … MORE
USDA State Statistician: “It’s time to plant crops”
The farmers are taking a look at the possibilities of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. … MORE
One group says the pandemic has exposed Illinois’ budget woes
Budget experts are at odds over how to handle Illinois’ coming pension debts.… MORE
Pritzker says more needed from federal government to address Illinois’ unemployment funds, state finances
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is counting on help from the federal government to shore up the state’s finances as the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois continues to climb.… MORE
Summer classes at Heartland will be online
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Heartland Community College is transitioning all summer classes online.… 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…