By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As fewer people buy gasoline, someone will have to pick up the slack. And how to pay for road construction is not the only question. “You’ve got to put some money into the grid,” said former U.S. transportation secretary Ray LaHood, who is also a former congressman from Peoria. “The…… MORE
Leah Marlene continues hot streak on ‘American Idol’
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Normal native Leah Marlene has advanced to the Top Five after Sunday night’s episode of ‘American Idol.’ Marlene sang ‘Electric Love’ by American singer-songwriter Børns and ‘Sanctuary’ by the cast of Nashville, moving on after viewers voted for her to continue on her journey. Seven-time Grammy winning artist and producer…… MORE
WJBC VIP: Win Tickets to Forever Motown at the BCPA
‘Forever Motown’ is coming to the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and we have your tickets!… MORE
Treasurer: Millions up for grabs in McLean County
The Illinois Treasurers’ office is looking to return millions of dollars to McLean County residents.… MORE
State Farm auto rates to rise again for Illinois policyholders, still below pre-COVID levels
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – State Farm Insurance is raising auto rates again in Illinois, but the Bloomington company said rates are still cheaper than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. State Farm said it’s filed for a 3% rate hike taking effect June 13, following a 5% increase announced in late February. Together, the…… MORE
Fire destroys several vehicles, including semi, in rural Carlock
By HOI ABC CARLOCK – Fire ripped through a large metal shed in rural Carlock Thursday afternoon destroying several vehicles inside. Several area departments were called to aid the Carlock Fire Protection District in fighting the blaze at 8540 U.S. Route 150, about 1 1/2-miles east of Carlock. The call came in about 12:55 p.m.…… MORE
Illinois auditor general report blasts Pritzker administration’s response to COVID outbreak in LaSalle
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – In what Republicans surely see as an election-year gift, the Illinois auditor general is blasting the Pritzker administration’s response to the covid-19 crisis at a state veterans’ home as way too slow. Gov. JB Pritzker saw the report overshadow some good news he wanted to share about a pension buyout…… MORE
State’s annual police memorial ceremony
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When the state held its annual police memorial ceremony Thursday, it was a constitutional officer with no connection to the deceased whose words moved the crowd to applause. “While I will say thank you, and God bless you and keep you safe,” said comptroller Susana Mendoza, “rather than words, I…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker signs legislation for a pension buyout plan
State government employees now have a few more years to take advantage of a pension buyout program.… MORE
Anything but Normal, Leah Marlene’s journey to American Idol
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The singing sensation from Normal, Illinois is nearing closer to the top spot on American Idol. Leah Marlene is in the Top 7 of the singing competition, and hopes to continue her run into the Top 5 and beyond. The golden ticket was put in Marlene’s hand nearly two months…… 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…