Health officials say five babies at a suburban daycare center have been diagnosed with measles and more cases could be on the way.… MORE
Bobby Hull to appear in Bloomington on March 1
Chicago Blackhawks legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull will join the Blackhawks Ice Crew to sign autographs and meet the Thunder fans on March 1.… MORE
Top Schock spokesman resigns
The spokesman and senior adviser for U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) has resigned after reports about a series of racially charged comments he made on his Facebook page over the course of several ye… MORE
Illinois Senate passes minimum wage bill
A day after Democrats laughed openly at the governor's minimum-wage proposal – the one giving workers a raise from today's $8.25 an hour to $10 in 2022 – the state Senate passed their own in… MORE
Obituaries: Gilbert
Obituary for Ruth Gilbert… MORE
IWU names president search committee
A 19-member search committee will be in charge of finding Illinois Wesleyan University's next president.… MORE
Lawmakers hear testimony on child care funding shortfall
Lawmakers are trying to cover a $300 million shortfall in funding for the state's subsidized child care programs. The Senate held a hearing on the issue Thursday.… MORE
Pontiac police officer found not guilty of obstruction of justice
A Pontiac police officer accused of lying to Illinois State Police about an off-duty motorcycle crash has been found not guilty.… MORE
Business leaders have mixed reactions to Governor’s State of the State address
The reaction from interest groups to the State of the State address depends on which side of the employer-employee relationship they represent.… MORE
Working groups seek objectives after Bloomington survey
Results of a city-wide survey in Bloomington are now in a hands of stakeholders who will try to see what changes, if any, can be done.… 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…