The Bloomington City Council will vote Monday night to either opt-in or opt-out for cannabis sales as the new state law legalizing recreational marijuana goes into effect New Year’s Day. If the council decides to opt-out, the leader of the city said he’ll use his power to veto the decision.… MORE
Normal Mayor Chris Koos said there was an “incredible turnout” for Thursday night’s Citizen Summit, but some of the feedback from the three-hour session isn’t all positive, particularly about spending taxpayer dollars.… MORE
Connect Transit and recreational cannabis were among the talking points Thursday during the McLean County Chamber of Commerce “State of BN” discussion.… MORE
The McLean County State’s Attorney’s office weighed in Wednesday on the controversy about the county government’s bookkeeping methods.… MORE
Normal’s town government is hosting a citizens’ summit Thursday night to help elected leaders develop a strategic plan.… MORE
If you have been following the news out of the Capitol at all, you know that “ethics” is the word of the moment.… MORE
A Peoria Democrat will challenge incumbent Republican Darin LaHood for Illinois’ 18th Congressional District.… MORE
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp appointed McLean County native Kelly Loeffler to the U.S. Senate Wednesday to succeed retiring Sen. Johnny Isakson.… MORE
Nonprofit groups across Illinois used Giving Tuesday to highlight the work they do, including Honor Flight groups that fly military veterans to Washington D.C. for reflection and honor.… MORE
When the state of Illinois cuts a check, it’s remitting payment in one of the most expensive and least secure methods possible. Adopting new ways to pay, according to a report from the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute, could not only protect against fraud but save people with no relationship with a bank money on check cashing fees.… 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…