By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Now that Chrysler’s parent company is no longer making Jeeps in Belvidere – and expanding its electric-vehicle operations not in Illinois, but in Kokomo, Ind. – Republican lawmakers have had enough. They say while Illinois still has a great workforce and unmatched transportation networks, property taxes and now a guaranteed…… MORE
McLean County bringing high-speed internet to rural parts
By WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – McLean County is one of five counties participating in the Illinois Soybean Association’s Broadband Breakthrough Program. The goal is to get high-speed internet in rural parts of the county. The county is in the middle of a 16 to 18 week research process. The intent is to explore what bringing broadband…… MORE
Republicans in Springfield are looking to allow pharmacies to sell drug test strips
The Illinois House minority leader looks to bat .500 on her anti-drug bills.… MORE
Illinois looking into “ranked choice voting” in the next presidential primaries
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois might go for “ranked choice voting” in the next presidential primaries – in which you can name follow-up choices if your favorite candidate drops out. The Illinois House Ethics and Elections Committee brought in Fair Vote’s Terrance Carroll, who says this promotes issues, as candidates “tend to be more…… MORE
District 87 cuts seven positions in reduction of force
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – District 87 School Board approved cutting seven Professional Educator Licensed employees and Educational Support Personnel. Anyone hired after Jan 1. is automatically a reduction in force for the district; meaning their term will end at the end of this school year. This year those positions included, but were not limited to…… MORE
ISP seeing an increase in road rage
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police are seeing an increase in road rage. There are a lot of angry drivers across the state, but especially in the Chicago area where road rage is tied to quite a few expressway shootings said ISP Trooper Jayme Bufford. “If other drivers are following too closely or…… MORE
Bloomington juvenile arrested for gun threats
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A juvenile has been charged with threatening family members with a firearm on Friday. According to a Bloomington police press release, officers were called to the 800 block of East Douglas St. for gun threats. After speaking with the juvenile male, an arrest was attempted before he fled the scene. He…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker visits Heartland to propose community college investments
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Gov. JB Pritzker was at Heartland Community College on Tuesday to highlight his proposed investments for increased access to community college. Pritzker’s FY 2024 budget calls for a $100 million increase in Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants, from $601 million to $701 million. It’s the largest increase in state history and a…… MORE
Illinois Supreme Court hears oral arguments for and against keeping cash bail
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – It’s the Illinois Supreme Court’s turn to decide whether the elimination of cash bail in the state is constitutional. The court heard oral arguments, as a lower court ruled against the legislature and tossed out the law. Arguing there’s never been a need for cash bail, assistant solicitor general Alex…… MORE
Governor signs bill requiring employers to offer paid leave to employees
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Giving your workers peace of mind is valuable, say proponents of a new law requiring employers to offer paid leave. So valuable, they say, that workers will become more productive and more dedicated, knowing they can tend to their personal affairs or stay home sick without fear of losing money…… 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…