By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The lawmakers who will take their oath of office Wednesday will be paid a base salary of $85,000, up $14,000 from the pay of the previous General Assembly. That nugget was buried in a bill which does many other things – for one, giving the governor a “closing fund” to…… MORE
Bloomington man jailed on $1 million bond for 15 sexual assault charges
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – McLean County prosecutors on Friday charged a Bloomington man with 15 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault involving a child younger than 13. Prosecutors say David Oliver, 51, faces mandatory life in prison if he’s found guilty on any of the charges because of his conviction in 2000 for sexually…… MORE
Governor makes stop at Springfield elementary school
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters Thursday morning he is optimistic that the last days of the General Assembly – with only a simple majority required and with many lawmakers unlikely to ever face voters again – will produce a ban on assault weapons. Supermajority Democratic lawmakers have been discussing it…… MORE
Bloomington man arrested for predatory criminal sexual assault
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police say a man has been arrested for predatory criminal sexual assault. Police say that man is David L. Oliver, 51. Police say the arrest happened early Thursday and that the investigation remains ongoing. The circumstances behind the incident are still pending.… MORE
Bill meant to bolster abortion rights in Illinois passes in House
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A bill expanding protections for abortion seekers and providers who come to Illinois from out of state has passed the Illinois House. When State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) asked the sponsor, State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), about babies born alive but then dying because of botched abortions, Cassidy said…… MORE
Illinois House passes assault weapons ban
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois legislature is partway through its big goal of the 2023 lame duck session: ban the sale of assault weapons. The bill which passed the House in a post-midnight vote actually only bans the sale of new assault weapons and grandfathers in everyone else. House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside)…… MORE
Lexington Police investigating several business burglaries
By Neil Doyle LEXINGTON – Authorities in Lexington are working with the McLean County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police to solve seven burglaries to three different businesses that have happened since mid-November. According to a Facebook post, Lexington Police say they have several persons of interest and are working to develop a suspect(s). The…… MORE
Not much time left for state lawmakers to consider an assault weapons ban
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Whether the Illinois House and Senate can pass an assault weapons ban – or any other kind of gun control measure – during these few remaining lame duck days, members of both parties agree: the killing has to stop. The latest proposal is borne of the Highland Park July 4…… MORE
Rivian misses 2022 production goal
By 25 News NORMAL – Rivian Automotive fell short of its goal of producing 25,000 electric vehicles at its plant in Normal during 2022, but the pace of production picked up and the company made more deliveries in the fourth quarter compared to the previous three months. Rivian was 663 vehicles short of achieving its goal,…… MORE
Bloomington man jailed on $2 million bond charged in January 2022 gang-related shooting
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A man arrested early Sunday by Bloomington Police was wanted for a gang-related shooting in January of last year just north of the downtown area. A warrant was issued for Ronald Thornton’s arrest last February. Gunfire in the 600 block of North Main Street wounded a man who was a…… 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…