Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday signed legislation that updates the state’s hospital assessment program.… MORE
Rauner keeps support of Harold
Republican Attorney General Candidate Erika Harold is fighting off allegations that as a beauty pageant contestant she told an interview panel that she would pick a home for foster children with known heterosexual child abusers over placing the kids in a home with a loving gay couple.… MORE
Muller expects Yarbrough to test NBA waters
Illinois state men’s basketball coach Dan Muller figures to have everyone on this year’s roster back for next season, though he expects junior forward Milik Yarbrourgh will declare for the NBA draft in June.… MORE
Aldermen want to raise fines on problem landlords, but likely won’t hire more inspectors
Bloomington aldermen want to raise fines for landlords whose apartment buildings are in disrepair, but city staffers don’t think hiring more inspectors are needed to enforce existing codes.… MORE
Government panel unanimously backs wind farm for far northeastern McLean County
Another wind farm proposal, this one planned for far northeastern McLean County, has received unanimous backing from the county’s zoning board of appeals.… MORE
Bloomington council approves cheaper Towanda Barnes-Ireland Grove upgrade
Bloomington aldermen have approved a scaled down plan to reduce traffic bottlenecks at the intersection and Towanda Barnes and Ireland Grove Roads.… MORE
Obituary: Sonetz
Obituary for Olivia Sonetz… MORE
Drengwitz elevated to NCHS head football coach
A longtime assistant has been elevated to head coach of Normal Community High School football.… MORE
Feds turn down initial request for Normal pedestrian underpass grant
The Town of Normal has been turned down for a federal grant to assist construction of a pedestrian underpass at the uptown railroad tracks, but town officials say they’ll try again.… MORE
Road signs stolen near Saybrook
The McLean County Sheriff’s Department reports several road signs are missing from the Saybrook area.… 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…