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Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Finding replacement for indicted former Illinois state Rep. could lead to uncharted territory
At least three elected positions in the Illinois statehouse won’t be chosen by voters, rather party leaders will select the replacements and doing so could prove contentious in one case.… MORE
State lawmakers pressure House Speaker Michael Madigan to answer questions about secret payments to aide fired after sexual harassment claims
A fellow Chicago Democrat, and others, have demanded House Speaker Michael Madigan explain secret payments to a disgraced former political captain or give up his position at the helm of Illinois’ Democratic Party. … MORE
Lawmaker seeks to change policy that allows elected officials to get paid after leaving office
A state lawmaker doesn’t want taxpayers to pay a lawmaker’s full monthly salary if that person resigns after working for only a single day during that month.… MORE
BPD search for two armed robbery suspects
Bloomington Police are investigating an armed robbery that happened late Monday night on the city’s east side.… MORE
Remembering Ken Behrens and his smile
“Happy-go-lucky” is how Don Munson described Ken Behrens when the recent Illinois State University graduate came on board at WJBC in the early 1970s.… MORE
Normal’s tax levy inches higher as divided council restores funding for PR post
A divided Normal Town Council voted Monday night to restore funding to hire a public relations specialist, reversing a decision made only a month ago to offer modest property tax relief.… MORE
County’s chief prosecutor poised to run unopposed in 2020 election
It appears no one will challenge McLean County State’s Attorney Don Knapp in next year’s election.… MORE
Salvation Army updates Christmas campaign progress
The Salvation Army of McLean County is releasing some numbers for its annual Christmas campaign.… MORE
New statewide parking tax goes into effect in Illinois on Jan. 1
On New Year’s Day, Illinois residents will see a bevy of new taxes and laws, including a state tax on parking spaces.… 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…