By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices fell nearly 21 cents over the past week, averaging $4.61 a gallon. According to GasBuddy’s daily survey of over 43-hundred stations in Illinois, prices in the state are 76 cents lower than a month ago. “We continue to see average gas prices falling in every sate, with…… MORE
State Rep. Lisa Hernandez steps in as leader of Illinois Democrats
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A new leader is in place for Illinois Democrats. State Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) succeeds U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson), as some in the party – including Gov. JB Pritzker – said Kelly’s fund-raising abilities have been hampered by her status as a federal officeholder. “This past week has been…… MORE
Normal Police investigating weekend stabbing
By HOI ABC NORMAL (Heart of Illinois ABC) – The Normal Police Department is investigating a stabbing Friday night that left one person injured. According to Sgt. Brad Underwood, officers responded to the 1000 block of Charlotte Dr., down the road from Fairview Park around 5 pm. Police found a 27-year-old man with a stab…… MORE
50 non-manufacturing jobs affected by reorganization at Rivian facility in Normal
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian says 50 people with non-manufacturing positions and who worked at the Normal manufacturing facility were laid off. In a statement, the company says the Normal facility employs around 6,000 people. This comes after the company said six percent of the workforce would be laid off. Rivian statement: This week, Rivian realigned…… MORE
Illinois is set to receive $760M to fight the opioid epidemic
Illinois is on deck to receive $760 million to fight the opioid epidemic.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker announces $15M up for grabs for tourism grants
Gov. Pritzker is announcing $15 million in tourism grants.… MORE
Debates on gun rights continue in Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Even though Highland Park’s Fourth of July massacre was just a few weeks ago, it was far from the dominant theme of Thursday’s meeting of the Illinois House Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force. The chairman, State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), questioned Scott Pulaski, a gun dealer from Alton.…… MORE
Grocery store a priority for ISU students in Uptown renovations
By HOI ABC NORMAL (Heart of Illinois ABC) – The town of Normal shared ideas for the new Uptown south located at the center of town during a Town Meeting. The town revealed the results of a survey that over 800 community members completed. Many wanted the 8-acres to be a walkable, bike-able green space that…… MORE
City of Bloomington proposing $25 million ‘Streetscape’ revamp
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON (Heart of Illinois ABC) – A $25 to $30 million proposal could renew the ‘Streetscape’ in downtown Bloomington. City Manager Tim Gleason plans to seek approval for the first part of the plan, a $750,000 study already appropriated in the city’s budget, in August. The changes under the proposal are largely…… MORE
Phase one of renovations at Bloomington Public Library begin
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON (Heart of Illinois ABC) – Renovations to the Bloomington Public Library have begun. The construction is set to be completed in three separate phases. Bloomington Public Library director Jeanne Hamilton says that the library may face closure during each phase. “It’s really difficult to try to move safely around the traffic…… 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…