By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The assault weapons ban – which has the support of the House and Senate Democrats – was signed into law Tuesday night by Gov. JB Pritzker. Supermajority Democrats say it’s vital. “2023 has just barely begun but already there have been 1,151 gun violence deaths in our country,” said State…… MORE
IHSA receiving positive feedback after tournaments with a shot clock
High school basketball is underway, and Illinois High School Association members are looking at how some tournaments use the shot clock.… MORE
A pair of Springfield EMT’s reportedly “knew better and just didn’t care”
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The December death of a Springfield man has drawn the attention of the NAACP. Teresa Haley, the organization’s president in Springfield and in Illinois, says the case of Earl Moore, Jr., 35, shows the disparities in health care for Blacks and whites. Moore, who was Black, was hallucinating when a…… MORE
IWU plans $16.5 million upgrade for on-campus student housing
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – On-campus housing for first-year students is about to undergo a $16.5 million renovation at Illinois Wesleyan University. Munsell and Ferguson Halls will be getting the upgrades this summer thanks to the family of the late B. Charles Ames, from Wesleyan’s Class of 1950 and Joyce Ames from the Class of…… MORE
McLean County Unit 5 holding special board meeting to consider ballot question
By 25 News NORMAL – Facing a nearly $12 million structural deficit in 2023, McLean County Unit 5 is going to try again to put a question raising the existing property tax on the ballot. In a statement, the district says that Unit 5 maintains the lowest education fund tax rate of all the neighboring districts. Despite…… MORE
Free rides possible for Connect Transit passengers
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – If you need a bus ride around the Twin Cities, you may soon be able to get one for free. Connect Transit, Bloomington-Normal’s public transit system, is considering a proposal to eliminate bus fares entirely, thanks to $28 million in state and federal grants that can offset the possible deficit…… MORE
Illinois Senate passes its own version of an assault weapons ban
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Hours after a Highland Park mother played a recording of a six-year-old shrieking away from gunfire, members of the Illinois Senate Monday okayed an assault weapons ban. It came after Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) slammed the House version, one endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker. The new agreement is…… MORE
Bloomington Police sergeants and lieutenants get higher pay under new union contract
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police sergeants and lieutenants will receive pay raises, and they’ll have to submit to random drug and alcohol testing each year under terms of a new, four-year union contract. The deal approved unanimously Monday night by the Bloomington City Council calls for the 21 union members to get 2.5%…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker delivers second inaugural address
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker ran down what mostly amounted to a “greatest hits” album of his first four years in office. In his second inaugural address Monday afternoon at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, the victories he declared included: “We legalized cannabis,” then added, to cheers, “Oh, I see…… MORE
State Rep. Bennett to replace Senator in local General Assembly seat
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Local Republican leaders have chosen who will replace outgoing State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington). Barickman chose to resign after winning re-election in the new 53rd District. Current 106th State Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) will now take his place, receiving 87% of the vote from party chairmen. Normal Town Council…… 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…