It’s uncertain if there will be any state budget fireworks this Independence Day after Monday turned into a dud.… MORE
WalletHub: Illinois ranks low on patriotism
Illinois ranks near the bottom of the list in terms of patriotism.… MORE
Coroner, Sheriff seek public’s help to identify Funks Grove murder victim
Authorities confirmed a woman found dead Sunday evening in the woods at Funks Grove was murdered, but they don’t know her identity.… MORE
CornBelters send 4 to Frontier League All-Star Game
By Greg Halbleib NORMAL – The CornBelters will be represented by four players in next week’s Frontier League All-Star Game. The two most veteran CornBelters will be in the starting lineup for the West Division squad, first baseman Aaron Dudley and shortstop Santiago Chirino. Dudley is currently second in the league with a .369 batting average,…… MORE
Accused kidnapper makes first court appearance
The man accused of kidnapping a University of Illinois scholar from China has appeared in court for the first time with dozens of people gathered outside.… MORE
Funeral procession route set for fallen trooper
By Greg Halbleib FARMER CITY – The funeral procession route for State Trooper Ryan Albin has been set. Albin died after his squad car collided with a truck on I-74 near Farmer City on Wednesday. A procession will leave Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City at about noon on Thursday after the funeral service and…… MORE
Sports On Air
Sports On Air… MORE
Sen. Brady: Budget bill a last-minute ‘stunt’
As the spending plan and tax hike measures goes on to the Senate after being adopted in the Illinois House late Sunday, Republican Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington told WJBC’s Patti Penn, the new spending bill is a stunt that Democrats tried to rush through before lawmakers had a chance to read it.… MORE
Robinson selected as new Pontiac boys hoops coach
Pontiac Township High School’s new head boys basketball coach selection is a familar face in the Indians gym.… MORE
Rauner vows to veto $36.5 billion spending plan, tax hike
After more than two hours of heated, often emotionally charged debate, Illinois House Democrats on Sunday approved a tax increase in excess of $5 billion – the largest in state history – with some Republican support.… 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…