Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood shook his head when he talked about the recent death of a 20-month-old boy from suspected child abuse.… MORE
Governor’s office cuts revenue projection by $500M in latest downward estimate
Gov. JB Pritzker’s office is now projecting state revenues to come in about a half-billion dollars below the baseline projections assumed during his February budget address. … MORE
CHEERS: WJBC launching 100th Anniversary beer at Lil’ Beaver Brewery
The celebration is on at Lil’ Beaver Brewery, as WJBC plans to celebrate its 100th anniversary with a new beer.… MORE
Consumer advocates tell regulators to slash rate hike requests from Ameren, Nicor
Natural gas customers in the Chicago suburbs and downstate Illinois are likely to see an increase in their monthly bills next year, but it’s up to state regulators to decide how big a hike, if any, to approve. … MORE
UPDATE: Mother charged with murder in connection with toddler’s death
A South Peoria woman faces murder charges for allegedly beating her 20-month-old son to death earlier this month.… MORE
Fallen Aurora firefighter honored at state’s annual memorial ceremony
Fallen Aurora firefighter Cristian Medrano was honored at the state’s 32nd annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial held outside the Statehouse on Tuesday.… MORE
New zero-emission bus plant to open in Peoria area; create 90 jobs
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Gov. JB Pritzker said a zero-emission electric bus company will open a manufacturing plant in the Greater Peoria Area — the first for the company within the country — that will create 90 jobs. Damera Corporation, a Canadian transit solutions provider, plans to open its first U.S. assembly plant and invest more than…… MORE
Bloomington City Council denies special use permit
A special use permit that would see a home at 707 East Empire Street continue to be used as a three-unit rental was denied in a 6-2 vote by Bloomington City Council members Monday night.… MORE
Two bridges in Tazewell County to close for construction work
The Illinois Department of Transportation will close two bridges that span Interstate 155 as it travels through Tazewell County as they work on them.… MORE
Town of Normal renames aquatic center to honor former mayor
The town of Normal renamed one of its summer staples to honor a former mayor.… 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…