A coffee shop in downtown Bloomington has poured their last cup.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
House tax bill seeks to increase affordable housing
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – Two provisions in the bipartisan American Families and Workers Act intend to address the nationwide housing crisis by creating more affordable housing opportunities. The bill will expand and strengthen low-income housing tax credits by reducing bond financing requirements and increasing the amount of credits given to states. The affordable housing provisions come from…… MORE
Tazewell County cyber incident “nearly resolved”, board chairman says
By WMBD-TV TAZEWELL COUNTY – November’s cyber security incident in Tazewell County left the county in a dire situation internet-wise. However, they are now “95% back” according to county board chairman David Zimmerman. The county’s internal internet, used for things like requesting days off, is still down. Township assessors are also still unable to log…… MORE
McLean County Investigators reopening 42-year old cold case
42-years after being found dead from an apparent suicide, McLean County prosecutors want to learn more about why a McLean County woman died.… MORE
LeRoy man faces multiple charges after arrest
A McLean County man remains behind bars after being arrested in LeRoy. … MORE
Bloomington lawmaker backing bill to make life easier for family farmers
Farming is backbreaking work, and the estate tax family farmer owns when, say, the patriarch or matriarch passes away can be bank-breaking.… MORE
Illinois State University Athletics names new COO, promote eight others to senior positions
Nine Illinois State University athletic staff employees received a senior staff promotion. … MORE
Heartland Community College unveils new $23M Ag Complex
Heartland Community College unveiled its new Ag Complex, which is an education center for the broad field of agriculture.… MORE
Under The Ground BloNo closing after a two-year run
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – A beloved vegan-based restaurant in downtown Bloomington is closing its doors. Under the Ground BloNo announced they are closing at the end of February due to health issues and other factors. “This month also presented an extra set of challenges, and as a scrappy little business that was already fighting…… MORE
IHSA’s cheerleading finals coming to Bloomington this weekend
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The annual Illinois High School Association Competitive Cheerleading State Finals will be hosted in Bloomington this weekend at Grossinger Motors Arena. The state’s top 100 teams will journey to the Twin Cities to participate in four separate classes. Over 13,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-day event, according to…… 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…