The Cardinals visit Milwaukee for a weekend series.… MORE
Unit 5’s Fortner resigns, becoming third school board member to resign since spring
The Unit 5 school board has a third vacancy to fill.… MORE
Durbin: Foreign hacking, not voter fraud, Illinois’ biggest election threat
Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator says hacking is a much bigger election threat than voter fraud.… MORE
Obituaries: Pena, Swift
Obituaries for Nathaniel Alexander “Nate” Peña, Mary Lou Swift.… MORE
Supreme Court rules states can require sellers to collect sales tax
By Illinois Radio Network WASHINGTON, D.C. – Illinois consumers can expect to pay more when shopping online after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states have the authority to require out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes. In a 5-4 decision in South Dakota vs. Wayfair Inc., the court ruled states can require sellers to…… MORE
Farm bill passes House with welfare-to-work reforms
The U.S. House has passed its version of a farm bill.… MORE
At ISU, Rauner sees massive investments in higher education
Gov. Bruce Rauner touted the new state budget during his visit Thursday to Illinois State University, noting it includes $62 million to modernize and rebuild ISU’s College of Fine Arts.… MORE
Normal unveils proposed recycling mandates for landlords
A proposed ordinance requiring landlords in Normal to offer onsite recycling for their tenants is turning into a debate whether government should issue mandates or continue to ask for voluntary efforts to increase recycling.… MORE
Governor Rauner approves Uptown Normal TIF District extension
Governor Bruce Rauner, visiting Illinois State University Thursday afternoon, signed into law a bill that extends the lifespan of Uptown Normal’s tax increment financing district by 12 years.… MORE
Clinton City Administrator: “We will move on” following Walmart closing
After Walmart’s corporate offices announced the closing of Clinton’s Walmart store near the end of July, uncertainty filled the air surrounding the retail space and the impact on Clinton’s economy.… 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…