Fewer Illinoisans filed for unemployment last week, but the staggering numbers give additional insight into how the spread of COVID-19 is affecting the state’s economy.… MORE
McLean County Health Officials announce 3rd COVID-19 death
The McLean County Health Department announced the third death caused by COVID-19 as the total confirmed coronavirus cases remains at 82.… MORE
DCFS suspends some foster care visits, parents turn to technology to stay connected
Parents of children in foster have turned to technology to stay in touch with their children after DCFS suspended some in-person visits to reduce the spread of COVID-19. … MORE
One person injured after explosion at Bloomington water reclamation plant
A woman suffered suffered minor injuries after an explosion Thursday morning at a water reclamation plant in southeast Bloomington.… MORE
Retail group says patchwork state, local rules causing confusion for Illinoisans
The state’s retail association wants municipalities across the state to get on the same page when it comes to enforcing social distancing policies and the statewide stay-at-home order.… MORE
Report: State has spent more than $1.7 million dollars on secret charter flights from China for PPE
Gov. J.B. Pritzker defended his decision Wednesday to arrange for two charter flights to transport millions of masks and gloves from China to Illinois to bolster the state’s limited supply of personal protective equipment as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Ezike: Reversing course will reverse the results
The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike says delivering updates each day about COVID-19 is difficult, especially when it includes Illinoisans who have lost their lives.… MORE
Richards to lead McLean County Democrats; Beard re-elected to GOP chair
A busy night in the virtual political ring as McLean County Democrats, Republican precinct committee people and the McLean County Libertarian party elect leaders.… MORE
Family of missing Downs man continues their search
31-year-old Tyler Graf went missing on Saturday April 11 and has not been seen since.… MORE
Pritzker addresses the state’s budget
The economic wages of the pandemic are coming into focus.… 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…