Bray won the seat held by Jim Fruin in the April general election. Fruin did not seek reelection.… MORE
Bloomington man faces long sentence for burglary
By Howard Packowitz BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man is eligible for an extended sentence of up to 30-years in prison after a jury convicted him in a burglary case that garnered plenty of public attention, McLean County’s chief prosecutor said Thursday. 31-year old Andray Alexander was one of three people arrested in October of…… MORE
Roskam bill seeks to restrict IRS’ ability to freeze assets
Federal lawmakers have renewed a push to rein in the IRS’ ability to seize assets, saying the tax collection agency makes victims out of law-abiding small business owners.… MORE
Mitsubishi awards money to Chamber programs
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce has a couple large checks to cash, courtesy of car manufacturer Mitsubishi.… MORE
Lahood faces tough questions at town hall
Another contentious meeting took place last night between a congressman and his constituents.… MORE
IWU faculty voices disdain for Davis declining ‘town hall’ invite
Republican members of Congress have been under fire in recent months for their refusal to hold ‘town hall’ events.… MORE
Kids learn the value of money
by Marc Strauss BLOOMINGTON – How do you convince your kids the value of money? Perhaps by taking them to the library this weekend for story time. The Bloomington Public Library and the Towanda District Library will host a reading of the book “Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees” on Saturday, April 22 at 10…… MORE
Council veteran slams divisive mayoral campaign
By Howard Packowitz NORMAL – The Normal Town Council’s most senior member is deeply troubled by what he said were misleading and reckless tactics employed by a candidate who nearly unseated the town’s three-term incumbent Mayor. The sky is not falling, according to council member Jeff Fritzen, who took the unusual step of calling…… MORE
State chamber head carries pro-business message to Twin Cities
The head of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is renewing his call to give up the status quo in Springfield to dig out of the state’s fiscal mess.… MORE
Pepsi Ice Center makes final push in Hockeyville 2nd round
The Pepsi Ice Center is making its final push to advance to the final round of Kraft Hockeyville.… 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…