The movie theaters hope they are back in business in late June.… MORE
MCHD announces no new cases of COVID-19; countywide total stands at 216
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Health officials announced some good news on Thursday, no new cases of COVID-19. Health officials report that of the 216 cases, 36 individuals remain in home isolation, three remain hospitalized, and 166 have recovered. There have been 11 deaths in the county. The McLean County Health Department (@McLeanHealth)…… MORE
McLean County health administrator cautions against speedier reopening
The head of the McLean County Health Department believes the county government is not prepared to safely implement a quicker reopening of area businesses than prescribed by Gov. JB Pritzker’s phased-in approach.… MORE
Real estate market in Illinois gaining steam despite pandemic
Although many real estate offices remain closed and open houses are rare because of the pandemic, the housing market in Illinois is on fire… MORE
Towanda July 4th celebration canceled
The 52nd annual Towanda 4th of July celebration has been canceled due to the current pandemic.… MORE
Despite stay-at-home order, Illinoisans hit the roads for the holiday weekend
In spite of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home orders, Illinoisans grabbed their keys and hit the road over Memorial Day weekend in numbers not seen since before the pandemic reached Illinois.… MORE
Legal battle underway as students sue ISU over fee refunds
Responding to a federal lawsuit, Illinois State University claims it strives to provide fair refunds of the mandatory fees students paid for the semester interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
UPDATED: Farmer City woman died from diabetic complications
Authorities say a Farmer City woman who was found Tuesday died from diabetic complications in her home.… MORE
MCHD confirms 11th COVID-19 death was an employee at local long-term care facility
McLean County Health officials confirmed that the woman who died from COVID-19 on Tuesday was an employee at the Bloomington Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. … MORE
Gov. Pritzker host third downstate Coronavirus briefing in east St. Louis
East St Louis is the third Downstate community to host the governor’s daily coronavirus briefing.… 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…