Category Archives: Illinois State Redbirds

ISU athletics receives $3 million gift commitment for indoor practice facility

ISU athletics receives $3 million gift commitment for indoor practice facility

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State University Athletics has received a $3 million gift commitment for the indoor practice facility project from entrepreneur Dee Miller, his wife Sheila Marshall-Miller ’94, and former Illinois State student-athlete and professional football player BJ Bello. “We are incredibly grateful to Dee, Sheila, and BJ for their commitment to…MORE

ISU reveals cost of supplying KN95 masks to all on campus

ISU reveals cost of supplying KN95 masks to all on campus

By HOI ABC NORMAL – All students, faculty, and staff at Illinois State University are receiving KN95 masks at no cost to them, but it’s costing the school $23,000, a university spokesperson said Thursday. ISU is paying that amount for industrial supply company Grainger to quickly deliver 25,000 KN95s, said university spokesperson Eric Jome. He…MORE

ISU distributing KN95 face masks to campus community

ISU distributing KN95 face masks to campus community

By Neil Doyle and HOI ABC NORMAL – KN95 face masks are being distributed to the entire campus community at Illinois State University. ISU is procuring a stock of KN95 masks to make available to every student, faculty, and staff member, according to a university coronavirus update. “KN95 masks are shown to provide wearers with…MORE

ISU Homecoming Parade this weekend

ISU Homecoming Parade this weekend

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The annual Illinois State University Homecoming Parade is making its return in a more traditional format this weekend. The typical parade route will be in full force with over 100 participants and plenty of candy. There is also a way to watch the parade if you can’t be there in…MORE

ISU celebrating 100 years of homecoming

ISU celebrating 100 years of homecoming

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State University is celebrating 100 years of homecoming with plenty of events throughout the week leading up to the football game Saturday afternoon against North Dakota State. On Saturday morning, the “Town and Gown 5K” is making its return in a hybrid format this year. Rachel Kobus is the…MORE

ISU leaders pleased by high vaccination rates among students, employees

ISU leaders pleased by high vaccination rates among students, employees

By HOI ABC NORMAL – Fall classes started this week at Illinois State University, and leaders there said they are pleased so far with vaccination rates that far exceed those for all of McLean County and the rest of the state. The university said 61% of all students and 80% of all employees were fully vaccinated…MORE

ISU to require face coverings in all public indoor spaces

ISU to require face coverings in all public indoor spaces

  By Neil Doyle NORMAL – In accordance with the new CDC guidance this week, Illinois State University will require face coverings in all public indoor spaces, even for people who are fully vaccinated. ISU issued the directive Wednesday as McLean County is currently designated as having “substantial” transmission by the CDC. Illinois State continues to keep health and safety…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…