Chronic absenteeism and a growing teacher shortage are among the challenges to public education. … MORE
School leaders in McLean County receive federal information on preventing school shootings
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Less than three months after the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, parents in Central Illinois are sending their kids off to start a new school year in Central Illinois. As a result of that tragedy, keeping kids safe is a top priority. “Our administrators, our behavioral health threat assessment…… MORE
Judge rules in local sheriffs favor regarding prisoner transfer delays
By News 25 SPRINGFIELD – A win in court today for some local sheriffs in their lawsuit against the governor. A Sangamon County judge has granted a temporary restraining order invalidating two pandemic-era executive orders. They allowed the Pritzker administration to extend a 20-day deadline to assign inmates with mental health issues to the Department…… MORE
Illinois State Fair queen declared out of Perry County
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Your hostess for the Illinois State Fair – and, later in the month, the Du Quoin State Fair – is Addisyn Calloni, who is from Royalton, in Franklin County. Since Franklin County has no pageant – her high school does not even have an FFA chapter – she came out…… MORE
Harvard Illinois man arrested after $1,000,000 warrant issued for alleged sex crimes
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A man from Harvard, Illinois was arrested for predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated sex abuse after a “lengthy” investigation by the Bloomington Police Department along with a $1 million warrant issued. Matthew Kiely, 44, must post $100,000 to leave the jail. “The BPD will continue focusing our resources effectively…… MORE
ISP squad car hit again by Scott’s Law violator
By IIS Radio CHICAGO – Another Illinois State Police squad car has been struck, marking the 14th Scott’s Law related crash this year. A Chicago area trooper was sitting in his car with the lights activated when he was hit by a drunk driver. The trooper suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but this is happening way too…… MORE
Back-to-school sales tax holiday is meant to help Illinois families
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Back-to-school shopping brings mixed feelings for kids, with summer almost over and the first day of school looming closer. The state intends to make it a less painful time of year for families, rolling back the state’s portion of the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent for school-related…… MORE
Illinois State Fair gets underway next week
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – You’ll see and experience some new things at the Illinois State Fair this year. Illinois Department of Agriculture director Jerry Costello says the ongoing infrastructure projects – and their results – dominate. “Livestock exhibitors will definitely notice the difference on Eighth Street,” said Costello during Thursday’s fair preview for reporters.…… MORE
Inflation impacting local non-profits bottom line
Inflation is not only impacting the average American, but it’s hitting the hardest for people who are “food insecure.”… MORE
Manufacturers of Illinois say things are trending up
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – “Manufacturing Matters” is the name of a tour the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is on to promote a new study which shows things are better than many people believe. IMA’s president and CEO, Mark Denzler, said, “Education workforce is probably the Number One challenge that manufacturers face. Before the covid pandemic,…… 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…