By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Let’s take a minute to step away from the discussion of whether abortion should be legal and ask for a doctor’s perspective. When somebody says, “Abortion is health care,” what do they mean by that? Dr. Michelle Brown of Chicago is legislative chair of the Illinois chapter of the American…… MORE
Leah Marlene community watch party to be hosted by Normal West High School
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Leah Marlene sang her way to top five on American Idol. Now, Normal West is hosting a community watch party for Marlene on Sunday. There will be a pre-party on Normal West’s front lawn with food trucks, games, face painting and more. The community will then gather in the school’s…… MORE
Rivian’s loses almost $1.6 billion in 1Q, top priority to boost production in Normal
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian Automotive said it lost $1.59 billion in the first quarter of this year even as the company works to ramp up production of electric powered vehicles at its plant in Normal. “As we produce vehicles at low volumes on production lines designed for higher volumes, we have and will…… MORE
Two former state senators fighting for back pay await a decision from the Illinois Supreme Court
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Two former state senators are now awaiting word from the Illinois Supreme Court about their effort to recover pay they say they lost unconstitutionally. Attorney Michael Scotti represents Mike Noland and James Clayborne, he said during oral arguments Wednesday, “in their efforts to rectify the wrongful circumstances created by the…… MORE
President Biden stops at Illinois farm to announce $500M in funding
In what has turned into a struggling year for farmers, President Joe Biden announced millions of dollars in relief funds during a stop in Kankakee on Wednesday.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker calling on Congress to protect women’s reproductive rights
Gov. Pritzker urges Congress to act quickly to protect women’s reproductive rights.… MORE
Help’s available for farmers who need mental health counseling
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Arguably, few jobs are more stressful than farming, and the current wet conditions don’t help. “People in agriculture are independent. They don’t like asking for help. They think they can do things on their own,” said State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield). “They need support, they need help, just like the…… MORE
Bloomington school board member charged with felony DUI, obstructing justice
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – District 87 School Board member Fitzgerald Samedy is free on bond following his arrest last weekend for drunken driving on Bloomington’s east side. DUI charges were upgraded to felonies because he’s a repeat offender and his driver’s license had been revoked, according to court documents. Saturday evening, Bloomington Police said…… MORE
Green Gables owner: Grief is setting in for sure
By Neil Doyle HUDSON – The owner of Green Gables says she and her family are devastated after a fire tore down the iconic establishment Monday afternoon. Amy Tague says Green Gables has been in her family since her grandparents bought the property in 1952. “The grief is setting in for sure. It is a…… MORE
State leaders hold annual firefighter’s memorial ceremony
A warm, hazy morning Tuesday greeted those attending the annual firefighters’ memorial ceremony outside the Capitol.… 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…