School children learning about sex education could soon learn about the dangers of “sexting.”
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Illinois employers raise concerns over proposal to merge state agencies
A group representing Illinois employers has raised questions about Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed merger of the Department of Labor and the Department of Employment Security.… MORE
Municipal group critical of bill to require all Illinois fire districts to levy foreign fire insurance fees
A measure at the Illinois statehouse that would require every fire district in the state to add a fee on out-of-state fire insurance policies is being called a tax increase.… MORE
Early morning weekend burglary in LeRoy
LeRoy Police need your help finding the person who robbed a gun store Saturday morning.… MORE
Bracket Buster 2020
WJBC’s Bracket Buster contest has returned!… MORE
Hot Tips for The New Tax Year Part 4
Changes to Benefits for Dependents. Deduction for personal exemptions are suspended. For 2019, you cannot claim a personal exemption deduction for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents. Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. The maximum credit increased to $2,000 per qualifying child. Up to $1,400 of the credit can be refundable for each…… MORE
Costello appointed to lead Illinois Department of Agriculture
Jerry Costello II, a former state lawmaker from southern Illinois, is the new acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. He had been head of the conservation police at the Department of Natural Resources since shortly after Gov. JB Pritzker took office.… MORE
License suspended for McLean County surgeon
Shaun Kink, an orthopedic surgeon formally employed in McLean County, has seen his medical license suspended.… MORE
Illinois officials prepare response infrastructure for COVID-19, say public risk remains low
The state’s public health officials said Friday the risk from COVID-19, the novel coronavirus from China, remains low for Illinois residents and the state is preparing in case the outbreak intensifies.… MORE
Authorities identify two men involved in deadly Delavan shooting
Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley has released the name of the man who was shot and killed on a Delavan man’s property Thursday night.… 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…