By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A bittersweet backdrop – the recent deaths of two Black transgender Chicago women – accompanied State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) as he commemorated Transgender Day of Visibility at the Capitol Thursday. “In my role as Illinois’ first openly gay senator,” Simmons told a statehouse news conference, “I want to make…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive is expanding its presence in Normal even though the company’s second factory will be built in Georgia. Rivian and town staffers confirmed Thursday it is leasing land at 301 West Kerrick Road in Normal for a nearly $30.4 million warehouse expansion. Rivian already has a…… MORE
A Bloomington man with a felony record remains in the McLean County jail on gun charges.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Bloomington police officers secured the arrest of Wilmer Marquez-Ayala of Bloomington on Wednesday for nine McLean county warrants. Marquez-Ayala’s warrants were issued on Wednesday as a result of a sex offense investigation that began on November 11, 2021. BPD learned that Marquez-Ayala had been sexually assaulting a juvenile for a year, leading…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – The Unit 5 School Board on Wednesday expelled two students for their role in a fight earlier this month at Kingsley Junior High School in Normal. The fight happened March 10 involving several female students, and Kingsley Principal Stacie France said in a letter to parents that family members “engaged…… MORE
By HOI ABC LEROY – A former teacher at LeRoy High School has pleaded guilty to grooming a student. Brandon Reynolds, 35, made an open plea, meaning there’s no agreement with the McLean County State’s Attorney’s office about a possible sentence. At the time of his arrest last October, authorities said Reynolds used a cellphone…… MORE
After 157 years, Lincoln College is closing at the beginning of May due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a cyberattack.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Fake postcards offering Walmart or Target gift savings have been reported in West Peoria today (on Wednesday), and the Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois expects others in the area will be receiving it soon. Jessica Tharp, President and CEO of BBB, spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller on what to do if…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-The 12th annual Share The Light event put on by the Midwest Food Bank(MFB) is on the docket for weekend activities in Bloomington-Normal. Beginning at noon on Thursday, a silent auction will run through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, holding 150 items up for bid. The three day event is capped off with…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man was arrested for a shooting that injured one person Tuesday night. Charles Bell, 33, was taken into custody without incident for the shooting, according to Bloomington police. During the investigation, officers learned that Bell and the victim had a personal dispute which led to the victim being…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…