By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – A new law will guarantee workers in Illinois will be earning paid time off in 2024. According to an Illinois State news release, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act in March, which allows workers in Illinois to earn 40 hours of paid leave a year. Workers…… MORE
Comptroller Susana Mendoza takes a look back at 2023
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – David Letterman would be proud. Illinois comptroller Susana Mendoza is out with a top ten list of her office’s accomplishments in 2023. Most of them have to do with paying things off – and paying things off early. “We’ve gone from a 210-business-day payment delay, which is almost nine and…… MORE
Free speech getting questioned on college campuses
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Free speech on campus has been a big topic in 2023, with the president of one university stepping down and other presidents under criticism. Safe space for free speech? Not so fast, says Lena Shapiro, a clinical assistant professor and inaugural director of the First Amendment Clinic at the University…… MORE
Bloomington’s Livingston’s Department Store 14-foot Santas to be restored
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – A local artist has been chosen to restore two 14-foot Santa statues that have been a focal point at Bloomington’s Livingston’s Department Store for several decades. The statues have been in the possession of the Jeffery Alans store in Bloomington, which recently donated them to the McLean County Museum of History.…… MORE
ISP announce increased presence on New Year’s Eve
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) along with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced an increased police presence on Illinois roadways for the upcoming holiday. An ISP news release states that nearly 200 law enforcement agencies state-wide will be working overtime through the end of the year “Getting behind the wheel…… MORE
Man hospitalized after 2 vehicle crash in McLean County
By WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – A McLean County man was sent to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash near County Roads 1900 North and 2300 East near Towanda on Dec. 22. According to the McLean County Sheriff’s Office, they responded to the crash at 12:48 p.m. and the driver of one of the vehicles was…… MORE
Foodmobile helping those facing food insecurity
By WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) will start making the rounds to local families who suffer from food insecurity. McLean County Emergency Management Agency Facebook states that the Foodmobile will travel through McLean County starting on Wednesday. Distribution destinations and times can be found here. Attendees are asked to bring bags or boxes to transport…… MORE
Illinois woman sentenced for buying gun used to kill police officer
By WMBD-TV URBANA – A Normal woman was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in federal prison on Friday. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 28-year-old Regina Lewis was sentenced for conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm, and conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. She pleaded guilty on May 16 that she conspired with…… MORE
Illinois public school superintendents have a new voice
Public school superintendents in Illinois have a new voice, but it’s one familiar to McLean County.… MORE
Route 66 adding attractions in Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 coming in 2026, preparations are building. Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau director Scott Dahl has an update on a couple of Springfield attractions. The recently installed Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, open year-round, has a new addition: a replica of…… 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…