Federal tax changes from 2017 could make it more politically difficult for local governments to raise taxes, according to a report.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
New Illinois Senate President makes progressive income tax top priority
Illinois’ new Senate President said the progressive income tax will be one of his top priorities, but Republicans worry the proposed tax structure would make Illinois less competitive at a time when the state’s population is declining.… MORE
Ahead of March primary, Republicans demand hearing over non-citizen voter registration errors
With early voting for the March primary set to begin early next month, Illinois House Republicans demanded an immediate hearing into how the Secretary of State’s Office improperly caused voter registration cards to be sent to hundreds of non-citizens.… MORE
Mural’s day in court comes to an end but the story continues
It’s case dismissed for artists trying to save the mural in uptown Normal, but the story doesn’t end there.… MORE
From boom to uncertainty, a volatile decade for Illinois farmers
Looking back over the last decade in Illinois agriculture, Illinois Farm Bureau Senior Economist and Policy Analyst Michael Doherty said it started with a bang but has since deflated. … MORE
MLK presenter: ‘There is still a lot of divide’
A now-annual presentation of “I Have a Dream” means a lot to Springfield actor / director Reggie Guyton.… MORE
One state lawmaker wants to get rid of Illinois’ Firearm Owners’ Identification card
One state lawmaker wants to get rid of Illinois’ Firearm Owners’ Identification card.… MORE
Illinois officials correct glitch that sent hundreds of probable non-citizens voter cards
Illinois’ automatic voter registration program, though not fully-implemented, appears to have allowed more than 500 non-citizens onto various county’s election registries. … MORE
Pritzker announces expansion of free tuition program for University of Illinois schools
More than half of Illinois’ households would qualify to be able to send a student to the University of Illinois with tuition paid for by taxpayers this fall after changes made at the request of the governor.… MORE
Second annual Sixty Six Games E-Sports Expo sees success
The second annual Sixty Six Games Expo at the Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington brought gamers and industry leaders together.… 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…