Category Archives: Local News

The DOJ reaches ADA settlement with CEFCU

The DOJ reaches ADA settlement with CEFCU

The Department of Justice announced that it has entered a settlement agreement with CEFCU on Thursday to resolve alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.MORE

Protesters arrested on ISU campus plead not guilty

Protesters arrested on ISU campus plead not guilty

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Arraignments were held on Thursday for the seven demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza who were arrested on Illinois State University’s campus. All seven pleaded not guilty to a count of criminal trespass to state land and criminal trespass to a building. The seven arrested include: The protesters had met with…MORE

Tazewell County man held pending outcome of illegal weapons possession charge

Tazewell County man held pending outcome of illegal weapons possession charge

By WMBD-TV PEKIN – A Marquette Heights man on Wednesday was ordered held in custody pending the outcome of allegations he illegally possessed a handgun. Dalton Mattus, 34, faces a single count of possession of a weapon by a felon and will next appear in court in late June. He faces up to five years in…MORE

Bloomington Library rolling out summer programs

Bloomington Library rolling out summer programs

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Public Library is rolling out the red carpet for all its free summer programs starting on May 28. According to a Bloomington Public Library news release, anyone can participate in the Summer Reading Program, ranging from kids who can’t yet read independently to adults. Anyone who wishes to partake…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…