By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – There will be no Jan. 1 jailbreak. Police can still arrest trespassers. Those are a couple of takeaways from a forum the Springfield chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union hosted Wednesday evening to, as organizers put it, be “myth busters” about the Pretrial Fairness Act, which come New Year’s…… MORE
McLean County Democrats support Unit 5 School District tax referendum
By 25 News NORMAL – The two major political parties in McLean County have now weighed in on a tax referendum for the county’s largest school district. McLean County Democrats meeting Tuesday night voted to accept the party’s executive committee recommendation urging voters to vote yes on the proposal, conflicting with the McLean County Republican…… MORE
Gas prices back on the rise in Central Illinois
Thanks to a cut by OPEC +, gas prices across Central Illinois are back on the rise.… MORE
Bloomington City Council OK’s $1.5M plan for water treatment plant upgrade
The Bloomington City Council is signing off on over a million-dollar makeover for the city’s water treatment plant.… MORE
‘Unattended cooking’ the cause of an apartment fire in Bloomington
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Six people were displaced after a fire Tuesday afternoon at the Washington Senior Apartments in Bloomington. Bloomington fire crews were called around 4:30 p.m. to the apartment complex at 510 E. Washington Street. Authorities said the fire started in an apartment on the third floor and the cause was unattended…… MORE
ISU trustees to vote on naming rights and sponsorship agreement to rename Redbird Arena
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena will soon be getting a new name. ISU’s governing board will vote Friday on a naming rights and sponsorship agreement to rename Redbird Arena to “CEFCU Arena.” CEFCU will pay ISU athletics approximately $3.1 million over ten years for the naming rights for Redbird Arena,…… MORE
Both of Illinois’ major cash crops are getting into gear with harvest
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 7.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 9, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 54.9 degrees, 2.3 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.05 inches, 0.74 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 26 percent very short, 33 percent short, and 41 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
Illinois judges have had enough of campaign attacks
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – They’re no Founding Fathers, but Illinois judges and lawyers are signing onto their own Declaration of Independence – judicial independence! Since they really cannot campaign on issues, they want to do more to set themselves apart from the mudslinging of other races – something that’s not happening now. “These partisan-driven…… MORE
IHSA experimenting with shot clock for upcoming basketball seasons
For the first time this winter, boys and girls basketball could use a shot clock in tournaments or shootouts.… MORE
IDPH recommends getting your annual flu shot
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health says it’s time to get your annual flu shot. Now that people are out and about and most aren’t wearing a mask anymore, flu activity will likely pick up this year says IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. He recommends getting both the flu vaccine…… 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…