Illinois lawmakers this fall could vote to allow their staff members to unionize

Posted on September 27, 2023

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Employees of the speaker’s office in the Illinois legislature may soon get the opportunity to unionize. About twenty members of House Democratic staff said last spring they wanted to organize. Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), strongly pro-labor, has been silent until filing a bill this week. “It was a bit of…… MORE

City of Bloomington offering free bulk pick up starting next week

Posted on September 27, 2023

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Residential Bulk waste is being collected by Bloomington public works personnel starting next week as part of the upcoming fall free bulk waste pickup. Solid waste program customers receive the service at no additional cost, though leaves, brush and trimmings will not be collected with the bulk pick-up. Deputy City…… 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…