The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Friday the unemployment rate was unchanged at an historically low 3.9% in October.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
New IWU president prepared for challenges moving forward
The first woman president at Illinois Wesleyan University is prepared for different challenges as she takes over the top position.… MORE
Illinois Treasurer: ‘nation in retirement crisis’
How much is in your retirement account?… MORE
Illinois towns will be able to tax cannabis sales earlier than before under bill headed to governor’s desk
Illinois lawmakers will send Gov. J.B. Pritzker a bill with the first round of changes to the nation’s first lawmaker-originated measure to legalize recreational cannabis.… MORE
Illinois pension consolidation bill passes despite objections over unknown Tier II enhancement costs
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign a measure to consolidate the state’s 649 suburban and downstate police and fire pension funds into two funds to maximize investment returns after the legislation passed the Senate on the final day of the fall veto session.… MORE
Ethics reforms task force passes despite Senate Republicans saying it’s stacked against them
On the final day of fall session, both the House and Senate passed a last-minute package of ethics reforms. But a measure creating a task force to research what kinds of other ethics reforms are needed passed with minority Republicans opposing the move in the Senate.
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Feds tap phone of ComEd lobbyist, long-time confidant of House Speaker Michael Madigan
Federal investigators tapped the cell phone of a former state lawmaker-turned-lobbyist with close ties to House Speaker Michael Madigan.… MORE
Second Democrat to run for west side county board seat
Another primary race is shaping up on the Democratic side for the McLean County Board.… MORE
Democrat Cullerton to retire as Illinois Senate President
What happened after the fall veto session ended probably overshadows anything that happened during it, as one of the so-called “Big Four” announced his retirement.… MORE
Murder defendant’s young daughter testifies mother gave Rica Rountree a “whooping”
The seven-year old daughter of accused killer Cynthia Baker told a McLean County Jury on Thursday she saw her mother physically abuse eight-year old Rica Rountree.… 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…