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
Local Commodity broker: Commodity market ‘on a roller coaster ride’ amid record inflation
Amid a war in Ukraine, commodity prices continue to send investors and farmers on a roller coaster ride.… MORE
Bloomington woman dead after car crash in Nebraska
By HOI ABC OGALLALA (Heart of Illinois ABC) – A 14-year-old boy was behind the wheel when he hit a mother and daughter. The juvenile was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Blazer down the 1800 block of Stagecoach Trail, Ogallala, NE. 61-year-old Patricia O’Meara and her 28-year-old daughter Katelyn Einck, were walking down the dirt road…… MORE
Rivian reduces workforce by nearly 6%, no job cuts at Normal manufacturing facility
In a statement, a spokesperson from electric vehicle company Rivian, announced the company will reduce its workforce by nearly 6%.… MORE
Financial Advisor: Interest rate hike is ‘pretty good news’ for markets
The Federal Reserve is hiking interest rates to stave off inflation for the second time in a row.… 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…