With the economy headed downhill because of coronavirus, there is a new voice against the proposed graduated income tax. A group called the Illinois Business Alliance says the proposed constitutional amendment should be pulled from the November ballot. … MORE
Local health officials have reported the first coronavirus case in McLean County.… MORE
Public health officials have announced three additional coronavirus deaths in Illinois and the first case here in McLean County.
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From on-air to online, one Illinois State University professor’s class will be a lot different in the coming weeks. … MORE
With toilet paper flying off the shelves, many households are increasing their use of “flushable” wipes, but Illinois American Water warns against flushing these items down the toilet.… MORE
An Illinois trucking leader applauded the governor’s decision to waive overweight trucking permits for the movement of emergency relief supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Local governments across the state anticipate COVID-19-related closures will squeeze municipal budgets.… MORE
Municipal officials throughout the state are considering measures to grant local leaders emergency powers to ban the sale of things such as guns, gasoline and liquor as concerns over the spread of COVID-19 mount.… MORE
Some local groups have created a new portal that will serve as a resource for individuals, businesses, and organizations in McLean County during the coronavirus pandemic.… MORE
Heartland Community College will transition to online instruction for the remainder of the spring semester.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…