May I be excused? I have to go vote.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Illinois business leader: ‘right to work’ may sputter out
An Illinois business leader says a drive by Big Labor – to do away with “right to work” once and for all – may sputter out. … MORE
Cullom man charged in Christmas Day triple homicide pleads not guilty
A Cullom man accused of murder in a Christmas Day triple homicide has pleaded not guilty.… MORE
Miller Park Zoo seeking applications for Junior Zookeeper program
Aimed at providing hands-on experience, Miller Park Zoo is seeking applications for the Junior Zookeeper program this summer.… MORE
Illinois Wesleyan’s ‘Big Show’ to feature The All-American Rejects
Illinois Wesleyan University has announced this year’s headline for the school’s “Big Show” concert next month.… MORE
Illinois Republicans want state’s automatic voter registration program suspended while Gov. Pritzker pushes for hearing
Illinois Republicans want to suspend the state’s automatic voter registration program until a programming error that added more than 500 people who indicated they weren’t U.S. citizens to vote rolls is fully investigated and corrected.… MORE
Despite marginal increase in some Illinois pension funding ratios, state still ‘worst in the nation,’ watchdog says
Although funding ratios for three of the state’s five public sector pension funds increased, a public finance watchdog said Illinois taxpayers still face a debt crisis.… MORE
Bill would return Illinois’ estate tax trigger to federal threshold
An Illinois lawmaker wants to realign Illinois’ tax on inheritance to federal thresholds, something long sought by family farmers. … MORE
Peoria woman identified in cold weather-related fatality
Coroner Jamie Harwood has identified a woman who died from significant cold exposure in her home.… MORE
New law allows students time off to vote
High school students old enough to vote are now entitled to up to two hours away from class to cast a ballot – even during early voting.… 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…