Category Archives: Local News

More than 1 million meals packed for food banks in Illinois

More than 1 million meals packed for food banks in Illinois

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – We now know the results from the Million Meal Pack that happened over the weekend. Illinois State University, State Farm, and U.S. Hunger partnered together to combat hunger for Good Neighbor Month. Volunteers packed meals, which were then distributed to local food banks in Illinois. More than a million total meals…MORE

Workforce pilot program for the homeless launched in Illinois

Workforce pilot program for the homeless launched in Illinois

By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Some experiencing homelessness in Central Illinois will be given the opportunity for a new chance at success. A 30-month program is being launched through Career Link to provide job training opportunities to the homeless in the North Central region of Illinois. Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce…MORE

More people taking a swing at Bloomington’s golf courses

More people taking a swing at Bloomington’s golf courses

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington is seeing an increase of people hitting the greens at the golf courses. “There’s just a lot of excitement for the game right now,” said Superintendent of Golf Jason Wingate. Highland Park Golf Course, Prairie Vista Golf Course and the Arnold Palmer designed The Den at Fox…MORE

Social Security Administration opting for digitized signature requirements for more than 30 forms

Social Security Administration opting for digitized signature requirements for more than 30 forms

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Social Security Administration is establishing a policy that could ease a burden on millions of it’s customers. The SSA is beginning to transition away from a physical signature requirement, and moving to a more electronic friendly method, Digital Signatures. Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security, thinks these changes will…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…