Illinois lawmakers are seeking to extend lawsuit protections to regular news reports following a recent ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that allowed a defamation suit against the Chicago Sun-Times to progress. … MORE
Illinois General Assembly passes bills aimed at helping mothers
Illinois lawmakers passed two bills this week that aim to support mothers in the state. … MORE
Man arrested for allegedly trying to meet a teenager; running through yards screaming
A man was arrested after running through yards yelling someone was trying to kill him, after allegedly trying to go camping with a 15-year-old boy.… MORE
Heartland College hosts Workforce Equity Initiative open house
On Thursday, an open house was hosted at Heartland Community College for the Workforce Equity Initiative.… MORE
Lawmakers pass bills on AI community college instruction, food handling, school bus seat belts
Lawmakers approved measures limiting AI instruction at community colleges, requiring seat belts on school buses, and mandating food handlers receive certain allergen training among dozens of bills Wednesday. … MORE
General Assembly passes bill to mandate anti-bias training for obstetric care providers
By MAGGIE DOUGHERTYMedill Illinois News [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — The Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that adds new anti-bias education requirements for providers of maternal health services. The measure is aimed at combating maternal mortality in marginalized groups. If signed into law, it would mandate providers receive one hour of training prior to renewing a…… MORE
Union condemn Tailgate N’ Tallboys for allegedly not hiring local stagehands
A theatrical union is taking action to condemn an event organizer for allegedly not hiring local stagehands.… MORE
Illinois awards funding for Constitution Trail extension
The state of Illinois announced on Wednesday that it awarded funding for a trail extension project in Bloomington.… MORE
Tazewell County man pleads not guilty to double homicide
A man accused of killing two others last month will next appear in court in late July to allow time for a mental health exam.… MORE
Housing development in Normal draws nearly an hour of public comment in council meeting
A majority of Normal residents who attended the Town Council meeting on Monday didn’t approve of plans to build a new apartment complex on what is now farmland.… 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…