The city of Galesburg made the appointment of an acting police chief permanent, City Hall announced on Wednesday.… MORE
CUB asks Ameren to work with customers this summer amid utility price hike
The Citizens Utility Board is asking Ameren Illinois to work with customers amid utility increases.… MORE
With electric prices going up, advocates tried — and failed — to reform the energy sector
Heading into the end of the legislative session, consumer advocates, renewable energy industry groups and environmental advocates were hopeful about a bill that would have overhauled Illinois’ energy industry. … MORE
Two new solar facilities could come to McLean County
On Tuesday, the McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals had hearings on two applications for commercial solar generating facilities.… MORE
Fifth person dies as a result of Chatham afterschool program crash in late April
An 8-year-old boy is the most recent casualty of a car crash at a Chatham daycare April 28.… MORE
Woman arrested after crashing car into a home following an altercation
A Bloomington woman was arrested after crashing her SUV into a home at least once.… MORE
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Illinois congressman’s appeal of mail-in voting
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an appeal on a lawsuit led by Illinois Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost challenging Illinois’ mail-in voting law.… MORE
Mascot ban stalls as Native-backed land conservation bill advances
Illinois’ legislative session concluded without passage of a Native American K-12 school mascot ban, but another issue sought by Natives will make its way to the governor. … MORE
Summer reading program returns to the Bloomington Public Library
People of all ages can participate in the Bloomington Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.… MORE
Shield law, university admissions, foster placement bills clear General Assembly
More than 150 bills moved through the General Assembly in the final week of the legislative session and will make their way to the governor, including measures touching on drug approval, college admissions and foster placement.… 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…