By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are requesting the public’s help to identify a suspect who has fraudulently used a credit card in several central Illinois cities. Police say the suspect has conducted multiple transactions this month in Tremont and Pekin, using a credit card stolen from Bloomington. Authorities describe the suspect as a…… MORE
Salvation Army of McLean County hosting annual fan drive
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – With the hot weather hitting central Illinois a local organization as hosting its annual fan drive to help keep people cool during the warm weather. The Salvation Army of McLean County started distributing fans this week to seniors and those with a medical need. Open distribution will be happening next…… MORE
School board welcomes new member, longtime superintendent bids farewell
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – District 87 School Board members on Wednesday appointed a local woman to join them on the board during a meeting which marks the retirement of the district’s longtime superintendent. Valeda Harvey was sworn-in to replace Tammy Houtzel who resigned earlier this year because she moved out of the district. The…… MORE
Unit 5 School Board considers public’s views on possible tax hike referendum, board backs statement on equity
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A former state lawmaker, working as a paid consultant for the Unit 5 School District, intends to give the school board options this summer about a possible tax hike referendum. Ed Sullivan Jr., a former Republican state representative from the Chicago suburbs, said at Wednesday night’s school board meeting that…… MORE
Normal Police announcing a change in traffic flow ahead of Tailgate N’ Tallboys festival
Normal Police are changing the flow of traffic on various roads as thousands visit the twin cities for the upcoming Tailgate N’ Tallboys music festival.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker signed a law requiring insurance companies to cover glucose monitors
Gov. Pritzker is signing a new law requiring insurance coverage of continuous glucose monitors.… MORE
Community donations flooding Washington Elementary garden following vandalism
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-Normal is coming together around Washington Elementary School after having its garden vandalized last week. An 11 year old cherry tree was uprooted from the garden and stolen, plus many of the plant beds were crushed by large rocks stationed throughout the garden. Two local businesses swiftly offered assistance to…… MORE
Alabama man arrested for shots fired in Bloomington
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – On Saturday, Bloomington Police responded to reports of shots fired that later led to a foot pursuit of the suspect. According to BPD, officers were able to locate physical evidence that a shooting had a occurred in the 1800 Block of Lincoln Street around 5:30 pm. Through an investigation, police…… MORE
IDPH to offer free COVID-19 Shield tests for the upcoming school year
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Once again, schools will be able to take advantage of free covid-19 tests from the University of Illinois’ Shield program. About 258 districts throughout the state plus many private schools worked with Shield Illinois during this most recent academic year, utilizing the speedy saliva tests says the program’s Beth Heller.…… MORE
Hot weather tips from IEMA
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is offering tips to stay safe during the heat wave. Extreme heat is hitting many parts of Illinois, and it’s important to use a little extra caution says IEMA spokesperson Kevin Sur. “For those that like to be outside consider curtailing your strenuous activities until…… 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…