Fire investigators are still trying to determine what caused a fire that destroyed two buildings in Downtown Pontiac over the weekend.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Illinois DMV offering access to driving record online; first in the nation to do so
In an effort to eliminate some of the more time-intensive requests at the DMV and reduce wait times, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is making Illinois one of the first states in America to buy a copy of driving records.… MORE
Weekly crop report shows things coming down to the wire
USDA crop statisticians are out with the weekly crop report for Illinois.… MORE
Heartland College board approves budget, adopts task force ideas to strengthen finances
Heartland Community College trustees on Tuesday unanimously adopted a $32.4 million budget for the current school year that’s running about a half-million dollars in the red.… MORE
Two Democrats oppose “routine” county board appointment
What was intended to be a routine matter for the McLean County Board Tuesday evening turned out not to be so routine.… MORE
McLean County sees flat tax rate despite six percent spending boost
McLean County’s new administrator proposes a $102.8 million dollar budget for the next fiscal year that’s six percent higher than the previous year, and yet it aims to hold the line on property taxes.… MORE
State Sen. Manar: new bill will ‘help lower’ cost of insulin
It almost sounds quaint to hear Megan Blair talk about insulin costing her $800 a month ten years ago. That’s because it’s now $1800 a month.… MORE
ISU announces new Multicultural Center, $10 million USDA grant
A new campus Multicultural Center was revealed by Illinois State University President Larry Dietz in his annual State of the University address Tuesday afternoon.… MORE
Durbin: Vaping companies mirroring tactics of Big Tobacco
Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator is calling for more education and stricter restrictions against vaping.
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Illinois lawmakers file legislation aimed at ‘making it impossible’ for companies to use ethylene oxide
Illinois lawmakers have filed new legislation aimed at reducing ethylene oxide emissions and potentially making it impossible for companies that use the chemical to operate even after a federal agency warned of potential hospital service issues.… 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…