Nearly 300 new laws in nearly 30 days have been signed by the governor… MORE
State opioid hotline helps increasing number of residents
The Illinois Department of Human Services says 5,000 people have called the opioid helpline for help since they first started taking calls back in December.… MORE
New law allows more specialized care for sexual assault victims
A new state law requires hospitals to have a specially trained provider on staff around the clock to treat victims by 2022. It was sponsored in the House by Rep. Michael Unes (R-Pekin), who says the idea is to provide sensitive care to victims, especially when it comes to collecting evidence.… MORE
Farmer City police chief steps down
A new police chief will be taking the reigns in Farmer City in September.… MORE
Twin-Cities youth summit to convene Saturday following deadly violence
Community leaders concerned about a surge of deadly violence, mainly involving young people in the Twin-Cities, will gather on Saturday at the Miller Park Pavilion to figure out ways to solve the problem.… MORE
Local drunk driving crash survivor speaks at Illinois State Fair
Illinois traffic deaths are back up to more than a thousand a year.… MORE
IWU football returns plenty of experience from CCIW co-champs
By Greg Halbleib BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Wesleyan football met the media this afternoon at Tucci Stadium. Norm Eash (ESH) enters his 32nd season at the helm of the Titans. He likes the mix of experience and youth on this year’s squad: Illinois Wesleyan football coach Norm Eash has high expections with plenty of returning players…… MORE
Red Cross seeking nominations for annual Central Illinois Heroes Awards
Local heroes are not identified by capes, so the American Red Cross Serving Central Illinois wants you to point them out so they can be recognized.… MORE
Late night house fire in Cooksville
Cooksville Fire Chief Roger Clark said a man who lived alone in the house on the LeRoy-Lexington Blacktop said he heard the crack of thunder, smelled smoke, and saw a neighboring shed on fire.… MORE
Apology After Altercation
An apology from Congressman Rodney Davis after one of his former field directors was arrested. Davis issued the apology to his opponent Betsy Dirksen Londrigan and her husband.… 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…