As many Central Illinois businesses anxiously wait to reopen their doors, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce has released a guide for reopening in the age of COVID-19.… MORE
COVID-19 seen to take out big chunk of McLean County government budget
McLean County government’s budget is likely to take a multi-million dollar hit because much of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county administrator reported Wednesday… MORE
Pritzker says state fair “highly unlikely”
Bad news for those who love the keystone event of the summer in Springfield and Du Quoin:… MORE
House GOP lawmakers are critical of the governor’s ‘Restore Illinois’ plan
The Republicans in the Illinois House don’t care much for Gov. Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan, nor do they like spending two months away from the Capitol. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) says Gov. JB Pritzker is assuming too much power.… MORE
Brady tours COVID-19 testing site in Bloomington
The Republican leader of the Illinois Senate was happy to see a plan from Gov. JB Pritzker to reopen the state, but he said there are some things that could be changed.… MORE
4 more coronavirus cases in McLean County
Local health officials reported four new cases of coronavirus Wednesday, bringing the McLean County total to 108.… MORE
Bloomington High School finalizes graduation plans
Seniors at Bloomington High School won’t get a traditional graduation ceremony this spring, but there will be an opportunity this winter.… MORE
Report finds Illinois has among the strictest stay-at-home rules in nation
With some states beginning to open up for business and relax restrictions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, a new study on these efforts found Illinois’ stay-at-home order was one of the most restrictive in the nation.… MORE
Pritzker says Illinois lawmakers must wear masks for when they return to Springfield
By Illinois Radio Network SPRINGFIELD – It’s not just the 177 Illinois state legislators who would need to come back to the Illinois State Capitol to vote on legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers would also need staff members, security and other personnel to return to conduct business. Illinois state lawmakers haven’t been in session since…… MORE
Lyons: Targeting a normal football season
The NCAA put all spring sports on hold this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but what will the fall look like?… 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…