In the company’s first quarter earnings report, Caterpillar, Inc. reported it lost more than $1 billion due to fewer sales.… MORE
After-school programs continue push for state aid
Advocates for after-school programs that provide tutoring, recreation and other services made their case again Tuesday for a $50 million state appropriation to restore programs in some schools where funding has run out and to expand them into more schools.… MORE
Driver of deadly crash at after-school camp is a former State Police employee
By BETH HUNDSDORFER AND JADE AUBREYCapitol News [email protected] CHATHAM — The driver of a vehicle involved in a deadly crash Monday at an after-school program formerly worked for the Illinois State Police, the agency investigating the crash. The ISP identified the driver as Marianne Akers, 44, of Chatham. She worked at the ISP from June…… MORE
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NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — A McLean County school district has updated its phone policy to keep students engaged in the classroom. While McLean County Unit School District 5’s current policy of allowing phone use within their buildings as long as it’s not used during class time is working, they wanted to find a way to…… MORE
Mental fitness test sought for man accused in South Pekin double homicide
Attorneys for a man accused of kiling two people last week in South Pekin did not contest prosecutors’ request to hold him pending trial.… MORE
Bloomington approves Standardized Housing Incentive Program
The Bloomington City Council unanimously approved a Standardized Housing Incentive Program during its meeting on Monday.… MORE
UPDATE: Driver in fatal Chatham crash ID’d as 44-year-old woman
State Police said the driver of the fatal crash at an after-school program Monday afternoon is a 44-year-old Chatham woman.… MORE
Bloomington plans public input meeting for new bike path
The City of Bloomington announced it will host a meeting for public input on a new bike path.… MORE
Illinois veterans, VA employees rally to protest expected Trump administration cuts
John Gerend, a Vietnam War veteran from Lake Villa, Illinois, was exposed to Agent Orange while on duty. Suffering from diseases associated with exposure to the toxic chemical, he said he still considers himself fortunate.… MORE
UPDATE: One person shot Sunday night recovering from his injuries
A man is recovering after being shot Sunday night while at an event at the Bone Student Center.… 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…