As lawmakers prepare to come back to the Illinois State Capitol this week, some Republicans want to address delays in renewing Firearm Owners’ Identification cards.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Corruption expert: Former State Sen. Sandoval working with prosecutors ‘could be huge’
Former Illinois state Sen. Martin Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat, was charged with bribery and filing a false tax return Monday in a manner that suggested he plans to cooperate with prosecutors. … MORE
Ex-State Sen. Martin Sandoval charged in two-count indictment
The ongoing federal investigation into Illinois government and politics has taken another step. … MORE
Local counseling service offers advice as millions mourn death of Kobe Bryant
The country continues to mourn the loss of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and the eight others who died in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas, California.… MORE
Lawsuit filed against town of Normal, police officers surrounding stolen money
The town of Normal and several Normal Police Department officers, including its chief, are being sued in relation to an officer being accused of stealing $12,000 when responding to a residence for a drug overdose.… MORE
The path forward: ISU celebrates MLK legacy with guest speaker, Angela Rye
As the week of Martin Luther King Junior’s birthday comes to an end, Illinois State University is finishing theirs with a celebration of his life, while holding discussions about how to carry on his legacy.… MORE
Illinois Works program aims to help address construction labor shortage
The state of Illinois has committed $25 million to programs that bring more people into the construction industry.… MORE
Illinois lawmaker raised concerns about automatic voter registration program in 2016
An Illinois state senator raised concerns in 2016 that Illinois’ automatic voter registration program could mistakenly give voter cards to people who weren’t U.S. citizens.… MORE
Ethics, property tax relief, population loss among top concerns for lawmakers as governor prepares State of the State speech
Illinois state lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday ahead of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s second State of the State speech on Wednesday.… MORE
Illinois Supreme Court to decide if teachers can take maternity leave months after giving birth
The Illinois Supreme Court will decide a lawsuit filed by a teacher. … 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…