McLean County Democrats’ new leader is taking over as the party aims to end Republican dominance in local politics.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Illinois Senate sworn in
There was no intrigue over someone who’d been in office fifty years, and nobody used an acceptance speech to settle a political score. But the Illinois Senate did indeed have its swearing-in ceremony Wednesday.… MORE
Swearing-in of a new Illinois House Speaker
New Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) spoke of a new day in Illinois during Wednesday’s inauguration.… MORE
IHSA says sports will remain on pause under current mitigations
High school sports in Illinois will remain on pause under current state mitigations for COVID-19.… MORE
Illinois has a new Speaker of the House
The work has just begun for the new Speaker of the Illinois House, to set himself apart from his predecessor, Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).… MORE
Bloomington Mayor: Let us open up at 25% capacity
Some regions of Illinois will be allowed to ease Tier 3 COVID-19 mitigations starting Friday, but Bloomington’s top elected official says he still doesn’t know what that means.… MORE
Rep. Davis says new security systems at U.S. Capitol are “all for show”
According to one Central Illinois lawmaker, new security systems installed at the Capitol is “all for show” and takes away resources from Capitol police who face threats outside the complex.… MORE
MCHD reports 3 more COVID-related deaths
Three additional COVID-related deaths were reported Wednesday in McLean County.… MORE
Attorney makes history as first African-American McLean County judge
A lawyer from the Twin-Cities is making history by becoming the first African-American judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit, serving McLean, Woodford, Logan, Livingston, and Ford Counties.… MORE
llinois House Democrats try to choose a new speaker
A deal is apparently together to make State Rep. Chris Welch (pictured) (pictured) (D-Hillside) the next Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.… 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…