Scoreboards are sponsored by COUNTRY Financial Representative Eric Lapan.… MORE
State officials urge drivers to watch out for deer during mating season
State officials are asking drivers to be extra vigilant while driving in rural areas as deer become more active in the coming months. … MORE
Illinois farmers expected to pull less crop from fields this year
As the fight for trade deals continues in Washington, Illinois farmers are expected to harvest less than last year.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers expected to take up vape flavor ban later this month
The American Lung Association of Illinois wants lawmakers to take up measures to ban flavored vaping products, but a vape shop manager said the industry is willing to work on a compromise.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker recommending suburban and downstate police and fire pensions to consolidate
Closing down Sterigenics in Willowbrook and cleaning up facilities in Lake County are the chosen remedies for ethylene oxide. Chemical lobbyist Mark Biel, who testified Thursday at a House hearing in Chicago, says those actions are expensive and unnecessary. He says there’s no cancer link.… MORE
State Farm’s Downtown Bloomington building sold
State Farm has announced the sale of its Downtown Bloomington building has been finalized.… MORE
Historic Tax Credit could see expansion
Historic preservation is a big deal in central Illinois, and it could get bigger.… MORE
Task force recommends consolidating pension systems
Economies of scale. Pooling resources. Eliminating redundancy. A governor’s task force is recommending Illinois’ suburban and downstate police and fire pension systems consolidate into two.… MORE
Unknown cannabis impacts worry BPD
The two Bloomington Police representatives on the city’s cannabis task force worry that unintended consequences from recreational marijuana sales might strain limited police resources.… MORE
Caisley to step down from McLean County Board, backs newcomer for seat
A retired judge, who served the past 13 years on the McLean County Board, said Thursday it’s time for someone with fresh perspectives to replace him.… 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…