Category Archives: Local News

Illinois State Board of Education announces new teacher recruitment campaign

Illinois State Board of Education announces new teacher recruitment campaign

By WMBD-TV PEORIA – The state of Illinois is in short supply of teachers, but a new recruitment campaign is aiming to get more educators in classrooms. On Monday, The Illinois State Board of Education announced their newest $6 million statewide campaign to get more teachers hired in schools. During the 2023-2024 school year, Peoria…MORE

Midwest Food Bank sends relief to Hurricane Debby victims in Georgia, Florida

Midwest Food Bank sends relief to Hurricane Debby victims in Georgia, Florida

By WMBD-TV MORTON – Midwest Food Bank announced Monday afternoon that it’s sending much-needed relief to storm victims of Hurricane Debby in Georgia and Florida this week. The bank said it partnered with The Salvation Army to launch an initiative to help storm victims of Hurricane Debby that caused widespread damage and destruction in parts…MORE

Tazewell County is set to get a new justice center annex

Tazewell County is set to get a new justice center annex

By WMBD-TV PEKIN – After months of talk, the Tazewell County Board made it official — the county is getting a new justice center annex. The board voted 12-5 to spend $44 million on the annex which will go across the street from the current Tazewell County Courthouse. While the price tag is steep, thanks…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…