By Sabrina Berkiewicz I recently visited Washington D.C. for the first time. I was lucky enough to watch the House of Representatives and the Senate in their respective galleries. I’ve watched this many times on CSPAN, but watching in person was different. I concluded that these people representing Americans, the board of directors of our…… MORE
By David Stanczak We’re b-a-a-c-k! Last year, I told you about an attempt to bring about independent redistricting of Illinois House and Senate districts by means of an amendment to the Illinois Constitution, which would set up an independent body to map out the legislative districts on a rational basis, independent of the political considerations…… MORE
By Mary Kay Scharf 27 years ago, I walked into the first day in a new position, in a new school, and was greeted by two amazing office technical professionals whose mission was to make sure I was successful in this new role. Back then, we called these individuals secretaries. Since that time, I have…… MORE
By Bill Fike A fellow forum commentator from years past, would occasionally use his forum to issue a “Five Gold Star Award” to various businesses in Bloomington/Normal. Illinois State University’s former President Lloyd Watkins, would give these awards to businesses that excelled in “Customer Service” within our community. Therefore, I would like to continue once…… MORE
I started writing forums for WJBC way back in 2002! One of the very first forums I wrote was one I got skewered for by the listening audience, who called in to call me crazy. It was called “in praise of taxes.” … MORE
Gamma Phi Circus, one of two collegiate circuses in the country, is such a treat to see. Three shows are squeezed into one weekend in April. The show has so much to see you always wonder where to look. It is mesmerizing.… MORE
This weekend the “Crusin’ with Lincoln Route 66 Visitors’ Center” opens in downtown Bloomington, on the lower level of the McLean County Museum of History, the historic Old Courthouse.… MORE
By Mary Kay Scharf The dust is settling on yet one more scandal involving an Illinois politician. Aaron Schock started out a Boy Wonder. Elected to the Peoria School Board at the ripe age of 19, he went on to the Illinois General Assembly and then to the US House of Representatives. He seemed to…… MORE
As the central character in the old comic strip Pogo once said, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.  MORE
Perhaps the Righteous Brothers’ greatest song was “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling” because the lyrics touch on an emotion many, if not all, people feel at some time in their lives:… 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…