By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Elmo Quinn, a longtime local business owner and 2019 recipient of the WJBC Don Munson Spirit of McLean County award, died Wednesday at the age of 82. Owner of the Quinn Shell gas station just north of downtown Bloomington, it was operated by the family for 72 years before it…… MORE
House passes bill for Illinois’ official state nut
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Given the abundance of possibilities, you would think it would be difficult to select Illinois’ official state nut. State Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington) says that’s not the case. “The wood of the black walnut tree is highly valued by furniture makers for its durability and attractive color, and the nuts…… MORE
Discussion of book banning has entered the Illinois General Assembly
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The discussion of book banning has entered the Illinois General Assembly. The House passed a bill which would deny state grants to libraries which go along with book bans. “To me, this is a complete go-around. An end-around on the local control and authority of library boards,” said State Rep.…… MORE
Bloomington police report total number of St. Patrick’s Day DUI arrests
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department reported the total number of DUI arrests made over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. According to a Bloomington police press release, officers actively patrolled for impaired drivers from March 17 to March 19. Officers arrested seven impaired drivers. One of the arrests was made after a crash caused…… MORE
Rossi appears in Tazewell County Court Tuesday, not called to stand
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – Aaron Rossi, the former CEO of Reditus Labs, appeared in Tazewell County Court in relation to the case with his ex-business partner Dr. James Davies. Rossi and his former attorney, Michael Evans, were expected to be called to the stand, but that did not happen. At the center of the argument is…… MORE
Opposite sides on abortion rally at the Illinois Capitol
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Opposite sides of Second Street, opposite views on abortion. That’s how things played out on a grey midday Tuesday in Springfield. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois said with the Dobbs decision a year ago, in which the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Row v. Wade and returned abortion…… MORE
Illinois attorney general urges lawmakers to pass “Work Without Fear Act”
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Protection for whistleblowers is the topic of a bill the attorney general is calling attention to. “Fear of retaliation is the single greatest factor to discourage victims of labor abuses from seeking justice,” said Kwame Raoul, adding that bosses’ bad behavior crosses a line when it includes intimidation, threats, and…… MORE
UPDATE: Two Prairie Central high school students identified in deadly ski-related accident
By Jake Fogal and Blake Haas FAIRBURY – According to a newsletter to the school community, two Prairie Central High School students have died in a skiing-related accident. A letter from Prairie Central Superintendant Paula Crane was released earlier this morning saying the accident happened Sunday in Colorado. According to the Daily Leader in Pontiac,…… MORE
McLean County leads country in corn production per latest estimates from USDA
By Jake Fogal MCLEAN COUNTY – Estimates of corn and soybean production for 2022 are being released by the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistic Service. According to the State of Illinois, the top five counties in the US for corn output overall are in Illinois. McLean County lead the country in corn production with roughly 71…… MORE
UPDATE: Two Prairie Central high school students identified in ski-related accident
According to a newsletter to the school community, two Prairie Central High School students have died in a skiing-related accident.… 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…