An apartment fire Wednesday afternoon in Normal caused heat, smoke, water damage and displaced the tenant.… MORE
Lawmakers call for suspension of automatic voter registration after second problem
Just days before the Illinois primary, there’s news of another problem with “automatic voter registration” in the secretary of state’s office. … MORE
Local agencies to participate in large-scale incident response exercise
Several local agencies will be participating in an all-day training exercise Thursday in Bloomington.… MORE
Bradley, Illinois State University won’t rule out online-only classes after spring break
Bradley and Illinois State University are considering “contingency plans” that could include online-only classes, according to spokespeople from both schools. Neither school had anything to announce Tuesday night.… MORE
BEER NUTS advances in ‘Coolest Things Made in Illinois’ competition
A local company has advanced to the next round of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association “Makers Madness” competition.… MORE
Fitch: Proposed progressive tax income not enough for 2021 Illinois pension bill
While lawmakers are working on crafting a budget that’s due in May, a credit rating agency said the governor’s proposed spending plan won’t reduce the state’s pension liabilities, even if voters approve a progressive income tax plan in November.… MORE
Sheriffs sued for violating Illinois Trust Act sue state in federal court
Sheriffs suing the state in federal court said they want to clarify who would be liable if an illegal immigrant released under the constraints of the Illinois Trust Act hurts someone.… MORE
Election officials expect more mail-in ballots, early voting amid coronavirus outbreak
Officials with the Illinois State Board of Elections are in the process of putting together recommendations designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at polling places ahead of the March 17 primary.… MORE
As coronavirus spreads to suburbs, Pritzker lashes out at CDC for test shortage
A day after declaring a state of emergency, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced eight more cases of coronavirus, including two in the Chicago suburbs possibly contracted through community transmission.… MORE
BEC changing one polling place due to coronavirus concerns
The Bloomington Election Commission is moving one of its polling locations due to the coronavirus.… 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…