The Town of Normal is considering joining its twin-city counterparts by installing license plate reading cameras.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Illinois Congressman says his family received a death threat in the mail
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The thanks U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) gets for going against former President Donald Trump is a death threat. A letter in the mail calls out Kinzinger’s wife and five-month-old son by name, says Kinzinger will be executed, but don’t worry – the wife and baby will join him in…… MORE
Local man to give up two government posts for seat on Illinois Prisoner Review Board
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A man from Normal says he has to resign his two government jobs after Governor JB Pritzker nominated him to serve on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Matthew Coates is giving up his full-time job as Bloomington School District 87′s Director of Communications and his part-time role as District 4…… MORE
Illinois gas prices down about 5 cents over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in Illinois are slightly down over the week, averaging $5.57 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. Prices are down about 5 cents from last week, but gas is still up about 55 cents compared to a month ago and prices are $2.33 higher than a year ago in Illinois.…… MORE
Elected officials approve two solar farms with blessing of local labor unions
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Board on Thursday signed off on construction of two solar farms after receiving assurances that the developers will hire local workers. The board voted unanimously after a leader of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said unions had reached an agreement with Cypress Creek Renewables. The…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker: ‘BloNo is booming;’ Illinois competing for billion-dollar battery plant
According to the top Illinois government official, the state is still running for a billion-dollar battery plant.… MORE
BPD trying to identify suspect for fraudulent use of a credit card
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are requesting the public’s help to identify a suspect who has fraudulently used a credit card in several central Illinois cities. Police say the suspect has conducted multiple transactions this month in Tremont and Pekin, using a credit card stolen from Bloomington. Authorities describe the suspect as a…… MORE
Salvation Army of McLean County hosting annual fan drive
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – With the hot weather hitting central Illinois a local organization as hosting its annual fan drive to help keep people cool during the warm weather. The Salvation Army of McLean County started distributing fans this week to seniors and those with a medical need. Open distribution will be happening next…… MORE
School board welcomes new member, longtime superintendent bids farewell
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – District 87 School Board members on Wednesday appointed a local woman to join them on the board during a meeting which marks the retirement of the district’s longtime superintendent. Valeda Harvey was sworn-in to replace Tammy Houtzel who resigned earlier this year because she moved out of the district. The…… MORE
Unit 5 School Board considers public’s views on possible tax hike referendum, board backs statement on equity
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A former state lawmaker, working as a paid consultant for the Unit 5 School District, intends to give the school board options this summer about a possible tax hike referendum. Ed Sullivan Jr., a former Republican state representative from the Chicago suburbs, said at Wednesday night’s school board meeting that…… 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…