A measure of the state’s economy shows a slight drop in productivity for the first month of 2020.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
New bill would establish 60-day time limit for Illinois State Police to consider FOID appeals
A new proposal would put the Illinois State Police on the clock to make decisions a resident’s Firearm Owners Identification, or FOID card. … MORE
If voters reject progressive income tax, Pritzker promises to cut state spending
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state’s next budget will be balanced, but said if voters don’t approve a progressive income tax in November, he would have to reduce state spending across the board in future years.… MORE
Consensus in Illinois grows around fully disclosing citizen legislators’ conflicts of interest
Although some say they are “full-time legislators,” Illinois state lawmakers are considered part-time, but there’s growing debate about how outside employment should be handled.… MORE
ISU receives federal grant to assist future teachers of infants, toddlers who are deaf or blind
Two Illinois State University professors have been awarded a $1.23 million grant to assist students in their future work with infants and toddlers who are blind or deaf and their families.… MORE
Ex-McLean County woman charged with stealing $400,000 from kids charity
The long-time leader of a national charity, formerly based in Bloomington, faces a federal indictment alleging she stole more than $400,000 from the organization that provides handmade blankets to kids in need.… MORE
Flash Index shows light drop in state’s economy
A measure of the state’s economy shows a slight drop in productivity for the first month of 2020.… MORE
UPDATED: Man captured early Saturday morning
A man who escaped from McLean County Sheriff Police Friday afternoon has been captured.… MORE
Man escapes custody in downtown Bloomington
Local authorities are looking for a man who escaped custody Friday afternoon.… MORE
Illinois treasurer says retirement plan mandate for employers will limit future use of safety net programs
More workers in Illinois whose employers don’t offer retirement savings plans are finding 5 percent of their pay automatically taken out of their checks and put into a retirement plan.… 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…