In early September, the Gamma Phi Circus at Illinois State University announced it was invited to perform at the 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Now, more exciting news was announced with the addition of Billy Porter to the Gamma Phi performance.… MORE
The murder trial of Cynthia Baker has entered its second week and both prosecutors and defense have rested, with closing arguments expected Monday afternoon.… MORE
The departure of Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) sets off a domino effect. … MORE
When holiday shopping is done locally, it contributes more to the local economy. It promotes job growth, pays local taxes to help local schools and infrastructure, and helps those small businesses grow.… MORE
In a show of frustration over the lack of support for Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed changes that would have allowed a casino there, Chicago lawmakers pulled their support and asked for others to do the same on a bill that, had it failed, could have held up the state’s other casinos and the rollout of sports gambling. … MORE
Some Illinois lawmakers said they didn’t get all they wanted to get done before leaving the capitol last week.… MORE
Most Illinois hospitals scored well in a new patient safety report.
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The Normal Town Council is scheduled to make a landmark decision Monday night whether to allow cannabis-related businesses in the town when recreational marijuana use becomes legal in Illinois on New Year’s Day.… MORE
The head of the Bloomington-Normal public transit board favors another delay in a planned fare increase to allow a working group to complete its comprehensive transit system review.… MORE
Medical examiners who received the body of 8-year-old Rica Rountree after her death said there is no doubt she was abused.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…