More than $12 million is being awarded to communities around the state to ensure students get to school safely.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Illinois State University union employees ratify contract
AFSCME Local 1110, the union that represents approximately 350 employees in Illinois State University janitorial, grounds, catering, dining center and retail dining areas, has overwhelmingly ratified a new contract.… MORE
Teacher hiring across Illinois hits record numbers
Illinois added nearly 5,700 teachers during the last school year, more than the past five years combined.… MORE
ISU and AFSCME agree to contract raising paying wages
By Jake Fogal BLOOMIGNTON – About 350 building, grounds and dining services employees of Illinois State University have ratified their new union contract in voting on campus that started early Tuesday morning and stretched past midnight. More than 92% voted to approve the terms of an agreement reached last week as University workers were prepared…… MORE
Connect Transit eyes bus service to Rivian
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Connect Transit would add bus service to Rivian Automotive in west Normal perhaps as soon as August or September as part of a budget that the public transportation system’s board will vote on in May. At the end of March, just over 5,000 people were working at the electric vehicle…… MORE
Former McLean County piano teacher guilty on all counts in 2nd trial
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Former McLean County piano teacher Aaron Parlier was found guilty on all 12 counts in his second trial, with the most serious conviction carrying an automatic life in prison. Parlier’s second trial involved a second student for crimes that happened between 2005 and 2018. In closing arguments, Parlier claimed that…… MORE
Governor lifts mask requirement for public transportation
By IIS Radio and Blake Haas SPRINGFIELD – Masks are no longer required on public transportation in Illinois. In light of Monday’s federal court ruling, Gov. Pritzker is amending a current executive order so that citizens would not have to wear a mask riding public transit, in a transit station or at the airport. On…… MORE
City of Bloomington Ward One application period closes Wednesday
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington Ward One Council Vacancy application deadlines closes Wednesday. The position is now open after the resignation of Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem, Jamie Mathy, who steeped down due to business conflicts that will not allow him to serve. For consideration, candidates must be 18 years…… MORE
Only one Illinois crop is making progress
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 1.3 days suitable for field work during the week ending April 17, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 49.1 degrees, 2.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.97 inches, 0.08 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 3 percent short, 40 percent adequate, and 56…… MORE
Normal native Leah Marlene shines on American Idol, makes top 14
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Leah Marlene is through to the next round of American Idol. The 20-year-old Normal, Illinois native was the sixth contestant to find out she was voted into the top 14 by the viewers of the popular singing competition show. Marlene sang ‘Heal’ by Tom Odell during the Sunday night performances. She…… 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…