Isolation can get you down. And Springfield behavioral health professional Diana Knaebe says it can hit the gregarious the hardest.… MORE
State health officials report 330 new coronavirus cases, Illinois total now 1,865
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday announced 330 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the state total to 1,865.… MORE
Growing demand seen at Bloomington Salvation Army food pantry
The Salvation Army of Bloomington is reporting greater than usual demand for its food pantry as families are taking an economic hit caused by the coronavirus pandemic.… MORE
Local funeral homes response to COVID-19
State Representative Dan Brady, who is part owner of Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Funeral Home, says the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way funerals are conducted.… MORE
McLean County Museum of History expands outreach digitally
While Illinoisans continue to shelter-in-place due to the coronavirus the McLean County Museum of History is expanding its outreach digitally.… MORE
Pritzker ‘concerned’ he may need to extend stay-at-home order beyond April 7
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he would consider extending his emergency stay-at-home order past April 7 if there was an increase in hospital stays from the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Illinois hair stylists, tattoo artists expect pent up demand upon re-opening
With barbershops and salons closed throughout the state, some Illinoisans are wondering what they can do with their hair until the governor’s stay-at-home order expires on April 7.… MORE
Northern Illinois distillery is now using its facility to produce needed hand sanitizer
Bourbon is out and hand sanitizer is in at a northern Illinois distillery.… MORE
Two Illinois organizations are teaming up to make medical supplies during COVID-19 pandemic
Two Illinois organizations are teaming up to make medical supplies for health care workers and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Fairview PE teacher gives kids exercise breaks from their driveways
One physical education teacher is not letting her students turn into couch potatoes as they wait for schools to re-open.… 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…