In what is the most significant increase in one day since the Coronavirus pandemic began, McLean County Health officials announced 25 new cases of COVID-19. Officials also announced a fifth McLean County resident has died from COVID-19.… MORE
Coroner identifies man hit and killed by train in Bloomington
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified the man who was hit and killed by a train Thursday morning in Bloomington.… MORE
Pritzker says he has the authority to extend stay-at-home order
With regions, counties and municipalities drawing up plans to reopen their economies, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that extending the stay-at-home until the end of May is within his power.… MORE
Pritzker says reopening guidance for businesses weeks away
Businesses looking to partially reopen in Illinois later this month per Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan amid COVID-19 concerns may not get the guidance they need to be in time to be in compliance if their region enters the next phase of the governor’s reopening plan.… MORE
Business owner suing governor says he’s not intimidated Illinois State Police following Pritzker’s orders
A business owner in Carlyle suing Gov. J.B. Pritzker over his stay-at-home order said the state is trying to intimidate him.… MORE
Colleges, universities in Illinois eye budget cuts amid pandemic uncertainty
Colleges and universities in Illinois will have to make difficult decisions for the upcoming budget year amid uncertainty.… MORE
House Republicans want some communities to reopen
Illinois House Republicans are trying to keep the pressure on Gov. JB Pritzker to let Downstate communities open up to commerce sooner rather than later.… MORE
Governor unveils new employment tool; Illinois has 87,937 coronavirus cases
Gov. JB Pritzker Thursday unveiled a new employment tool at his daily coronavirus briefing.… MORE
LaHood: Governor’s reopening plan is “one size fits all”
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) says Chicago is unlike Quincy.… MORE
McLean County health officials announce 4th COVID-19 death
A fourth McLean County resident has died from coronavirus, according to health officials on Thursday.… 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…