Early voting underway across most of Illinois

Election information for non-Bloomington residents can be found here. Voting information from the Bloomington Election Commission can be found here. (WJBC File Photo)

By WJBC Staff

BLOOMINGTON – Many McLean County residents came out Thursday for the first day of early voting for the November election.

Local election authorities also started sending out vote-by-mail ballots on Thursday.

In an email to WJBC, McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael said hundreds of people showed up for the first day of early voting, making it one of the largest first-day turnouts ever.

McLean County residents can vote early Monday through Friday at the Eastland Mall or Government Center. Bloomington residents can also vote early at the Election Commission Office in downtown Bloomington.

Election information for non-Bloomington residents can be found here. Voting information for Bloomington residents can be found here.

State law provides 40 days prior to an election for local authorities to allow early voting.

Early voting in Chicago begins on October 3 and in suburban Cook County on October 9.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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…