For nearly three months, government lawyers in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial have tried to drill home the amount of control the longtime Democratic powerbroker wielded in Springfield.… MORE
Yearly Archives: 2025
State Farm cancelled 72,000 California fire insurance policies in 2024
State Farm is being accused of canceling thousands of fire insurance policies in California right before the massive wildfires.… MORE
Former IDPH head fined $150K, issues statement for ethical violations
Illinois’ former public health chief was fined $150,000 after admitting she violated the state’s Ethics Act by taking a job with a company that did business with the state.… MORE
Lawmakers ease requirements for those seeking to change their name
A measure awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature will help protect transgender people and victims of domestic violence who seek to change their names, according to its proponents. … MORE
Woodford County Sheriff looking for tire suspects
The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help identifying who has been leaving hundreds of tires throughout the county.… MORE
Meet the winners of the 2025 Bloomington-Normal MLK Awards
On Saturday, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal once again joined forces to host the 49th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Luncheon.… MORE
House fire burns for over four hours in Lexington
A house fire in Lexington took over four hours to extinguish due to icy conditions and the roof collapsing.… MORE
State police arrest six in connection with commercial sex acts
Five people have been released from the McLean County Jail, a day or or so after being arrested in connection with an Illinois State Police human trafficking operation.… MORE
Bills addressing warehouse quotas, nursing homes, prostitution pass in session’s final days
Lawmakers in Springfield approved a measure that aims to protect warehouse workers whose workdays center on hitting quotas. … MORE
WJBC is Giving Away $100 A Day to Celebrate 100 Years in Central Illinois
WJBC is celebrating 100 years in 2025 and we are kicking off the celebration with a daily thank you to those who make this milestone possible, our listeners!… 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…