Illinois farmers completed their first hemp harvest in recent history.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
NFIB: Illinois small businesses struggling to find workers
Small businesses in Illinois and across the country can’t find enough workers to fill open
positions.… MORE
Suspected drunk driver accused of endangering two children in her van
A woman is free on bond after McLean County prosecutors charged her with endangering two children in her van because she had been drinking vodka before taking the wheel.… MORE
Bloomington city government expects to keep property taxes in check
The City of Bloomington’s share of property owners’ tax bills is not likely to change next year, based on a proposed tax levy presented to the city council Tuesday night.… MORE
Woman dies in two-vehicle crash near Arrowsmith
A woman was killed and a man was injured Sunday afternoon when a passenger vehicle collided with a semi-tractor trailer just north of Arrowsmith in Eastern McLean County.… MORE
Bills to make Daylight Saving Time year-round standard get fresh attention
Proposed legislation in both the Illinois House and Senate would make daylight saving time the year-round standard in Illinois.… MORE
Progressive tax opponents say Gov. J.B. Pritzker using public resources to push amendment
A state government budget projection that said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed progressive income tax proposal would solve most of the state’s fiscal problems has opponents crying foul. … MORE
Illinois Republicans push for tighter ethics laws, reduced majority control over bills
Illinois Republicans in the House want to use the ongoing federal investigations involving state lawmakers to push for a handful of new ethics proposals. … MORE
EAC: Curb your leaf piles, avoid raking into street
It’s leaf raking time in the Twin-Cities and an organization is reminding residents to not rake leaves into the street.… MORE
State lawmakers cool on measures to help Chicago raise taxes unless mayor spends more to keep campaign promise
Illinois lawmakers aren’t interested in helping Chicago officials raise taxes, but some are willing to negotiate.… 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…