As the red velvet curtains at the Vatican parted, a priest realized that his college pal from the South Side of Chicago that he knows as “Bob” had been elected the first American pope.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Pritzker signs order to protect personal autism data in response to federal action
Gov. JB Pritzker issued an executive order Wednesday that bars state agencies from collecting and disclosing data about autism to the federal government unless it’s medically or legally necessary.… MORE
Local reaction positive to the selection of a Chicago native as Pope Leo XIV
As news spread about the news that an American had been chosen to be the new pope, a first in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church, reaction locally was positive.… MORE
Robert Prevost elected the first American pope in history, will take the name Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV, the American Robert Prevost, said “Peace be with you” in his first words as pope, offering a message of peace and dialogue “without fear.”… MORE
Pekin man faces life in federal prison for enticement of minor
A Pekin man faces up to life in prison after being indicted this week by a federal grand jury for trying to entice a minor to have sex with him.… MORE
Central Illinois Airports enforcing Real ID policy
The Real ID deadline is here, and airports in central Illinois and across the U.S. have started to enforce this policy.… MORE
Bloomington Kiwanis hosts 15th annual Mother’s Day flower sale
Mother’s Day is just days away, and the Kiwanis Club of Bloomington is hosting its annual Mother’s Day flower sale.… MORE
Former inmate at Pekin’s federal prison indicted for killing another inmate in 2023
A former federal inmate at Pekin’s federal prison was indicted this week for allegedly beating another man to death in 2023 while both were inmates.… MORE
Town of Normal orders unhoused camp to be cleared for sewer project
An unhoused camp in Normal near the AutoZone on W. Virginia Avenue needs to be cleared by June 1 for two upcoming sewer restoration projects.… MORE
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Illinois stop on immigration laws called ‘publicity stunt’
Two hours in the state capital was enough for U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to criticize Illinois’ immigration laws and its governor while invoking the 2023 murder of a local progressive activist.… 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…