I am freaking out!… MORE
Category Archives: Opinion
WJBC Forum: ‘Stop-gap’ measures
Over the past few weeks, I lost my voice – between screaming at the Illinois legislature, screaming at the Chicago Cubs, and screaming like a little girl on the rides at Walt Disney World.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Make good news happen
While you’re still basking in the glow of the 4th of July weekend, here’s some encouraging news and the chance to make even more encouraging news.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Independence Day
July 4 is a special day for us, celebrating our independence, the first step toward creating our new country, a new experiment in the world, that of a real democracy.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Freedom and the responsibility that comes with it
During the Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress drafted a final copy of the Declaration of Independence which declared the original Thirteen Colonies independent from the mother country of England.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Illinois’ problems: let’s look in the mirror
The Paul Simon Institute at Southern Illinois University, named after our late U.S. Senator, recently completed an analysis of Illinois’ political gridlock.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Anniversaries and weddings
My 26th wedding anniversary is today.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Independence Day comments
At this time of summer, we all look forward to Independence Day or the Fourth of July Celebrations that include parades, picnics, and the best fireworks displays of the year.… MORE
WJBC Forum: What a great conference!
By Dale Avery I have spoken on numerous occasions about the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois. Many of you who will hear this message may have heard or know about the work we do in the Bloomington/Normal Community. For those of you that don’t know, we are a non-profit organization with the mission of…… MORE
WJBC Forum: The bell ringer of St. Mary’s
I have a riddle for you: If Father Ric Schneider, former pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Bloomington, were a pastry, what brand would he be?… 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…