Currently, there are no reported cases of coronavirus in McLean County.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Illinois State University moving to online classes for remainder of semester
Due to COVID-19, Illinois State University will move away from face-to-face instruction and to online classes for the remainder of the Spring semester.… MORE
Koos vows to support local business
Gov. Pritzker announced Sunday the closure of restaurants and bars until March 30; however, Normal Mayor Kris Koos said he would be ditching cooking at home and order carry out as much as possible.… MORE
Bar, restaurant owners quiz lawmaker, Twin-Cities two mayors
In response to Governor JB Pritzker’s executive order issued yesterday, State Representative Dan Brady answered questions at Shooters Lounge in Bloomington. Brady and both Twin City mayors, Tari Renner of Bloomington and Chris Koos of Normal, also attended the Q&A session.… MORE
IDPH reports 12 new coronavirus cases, state total now 105
You’ve heard it before – don’t go to the emergency room.… MORE
Town of Normal limiting public access to municipal facilities due to COVID-19
Facilities in Normal utilized for precinct voting will be open and accessible for Tuesday’s election, but several offices and facilities will be closed to the public starting Tuesday.… MORE
B-N YMCA temporarily suspends programming, will offer additional child care to support medical staff
The Bloomington-Normal YMCA will close its doors to members and guests starting Monday night.… MORE
State Sen. Jason Barickman: Closure of restaurants and bars will be ‘devastating’
On Sunday, Gov. Pritzker announced starting Monday night through March 30 due to COVID-19; however, one local lawmaker said Pritzker’s decision could have a rippling effect on the economy.… MORE
AAA: Illinois gas prices drop 19 cents on the week
Illinois gas prices over the week dropped 19 cents, one of the largest weekly decreases in the country, according to the AAA Weekly Fuel Gauge.… MORE
Local Wealth Advisor: Fed rate cut “is not going to help right now”
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – To bolster the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve announced Sunday a rate cut, and one local financial advisor says the cut will not help. The Federal Reserve, led by Chair Jerome Powell, cut rates by a full percentage point to zero. The benchmark rate is now a…… 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…