Illinois now has 73,760 coronavirus cases and 3,241 deaths.… MORE
Beach at Comlara Park closed for the summer
The McLean County Department of Parks & Recreation has decided to close F.R. Glasener Beach at Comlara Park for the summer due to public health concerns with COVID-19.… MORE
MCHD announces two additional cases of COVID-19; 87 have recovered
The McLean County Health Department announced two more cases of COVID-19, bringing the county to 112 cases.… MORE
Heartland Community College sets date for virtual graduation
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heartland Community College’s 28th annual commencement will be held virtually on Friday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. … MORE
ISU trustees keep tuition and room rates the same
The Illinois State University governing board decided to keep tuition and room and board rates the same for next year.… MORE
Miller Park Zoo announces death of North American River Otter pup
Miller Park Zoo announced one of the North American River Otter pubs has died. … MORE
Tax incentives offered for candy company to expand in Bloomington
At a time when the economy is at a standstill, a tax incentive package is being offered to one of the nation’s largest candy makers with the hope it will expand its plant in southwest Bloomington and hire dozens of new workers.… MORE
Leading statehouse Republican says Pritzker’s ‘major flaw’ is not addressing human toll from Illinois shutdown
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s failure to focus on issues outside of the public health arena during the COVID-19 crisis was a significant shortcoming.… MORE
Downstate Illinois looks to their own reopening plans amid COVID-19 crisis
Several counties in central and southern Illinois are preparing to issue their own plans to reopen their economies, despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order and his five-phase regional plan to reopen Illinois.… MORE
Illinoisans still having problems filing claims
As the number of people seeking unemployment benefits continues to rise in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic, many say they are still experiencing problems filing claims.… 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…