McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight says McLean County is ‘within a week of the peak’ after health officials announce two new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
Three weeks in, small businesses ‘devastated’ by COVID-19 shutdown
Nearly three weeks in, small businesses across Illinois are adapting to the governor’s stay-at-home order, but some business owners are worried their businesses won’t survive the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Pair of Uptown Normal events canceled due to coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic has forced cancellations across the Twin-Cities and now two events in Uptown Normal will, unfortunately, join the list.… MORE
Illinois’ daily death toll lower than six previous day’s as some call for plan to reopen economy
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Sunday’s COVID-19-related death toll of 43 is lower than the daily death tolls from the past six days in Illinois, but he couldn’t say what plans there are to open things back up.… MORE
Illinois’ economic recovery from COVID-19 recession depends on government, consumer sentiment, experts say
The COVID-19 recession is already expected to be deeper than the Great Recession that ended in 2009, but the recovery could be quicker.… MORE
Help with assistance programs just a call away
Small business and individuals needing help navigating all the COVID-19 related programs and assistance available can join a conference call Tuesday that will offer guidance.… MORE
Statewide cases of coronavirus close in on 21,000
Cases of coronavirus continue to climb in Illinois.… MORE
Numbers of COVID-19 cases in Illinois continue to grow
At his briefing Saturday afternoon Governor Pritzker announced the creation of a new tele-health program and a mental health support hotline.… MORE
State health officials address racial disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic
One of the stories the coronavirus pandemic is carrying with it – the disproportionate effect on blacks. More than a third of blacks and Hispanics tested are positive. Only 18 percent of whites tested are positive.… MORE
MCHD Administrator: “It’s too soon to tell” if McLean County has reached COVID-19 peak
While the McLean County Health Department announced six new cases of COVID-19, MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight said it’s too soon to tell” if McLean County has reached the peak of the curve.… 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…