Normal Mayor Chris Koos said he’s working on filling a vacancy on the Connect Transit Board of Trustees, and the man who narrowly lost to Koos in the mayoral election two years ago said he would like Koos to appoint him to that position.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
New Normal council member Nord makes waves at first meeting
The leading vote getter in Normal’s town council election last month made his presence known Monday night at his first council meeting.… MORE
Unity shown as Bloomington welcomes four new aldermen
It was a great day for new beginnings, according to Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner.… MORE
Alderman-elect Carrillo’s victory lap includes visit to nation’s capital
On the eve of her swearing-in as Bloomington alderman, local activist Jennifer Carrillo was in Washington on Tuesday appearing on the same stage with Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.… MORE
Rivian’s investor list continues to grow
Another major investor placing it’s bet on Rivian.… MORE
Connect Transit Board panel formed to seek input after controversial fare hikes, route changes
Faced with community backlash for raising fares and eliminating a bus route, the Connect Transit Board of Trustees on Tuesday created a working group to develop transit system recommendations.… MORE
Council backs agreement to limit arena losses
Bloomington aldermen, tired of owning a downtown arena that’s hemorrhaging taxpayer dollars, took action Monday night aimed at reducing those losses.… MORE
Bloomington and union partner to limit “pension spiking”
Bloomington’s city manager is crediting a union representing about 100 city government employees with helping to curb so-called “pension spiking” that costs taxpayers millions of dollars.… MORE
Bloomington council set to promote staffer to city clerk
By Howard Packowitz Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason is asking aldermen Monday night to name Leslie Yocum the next city clerk, and also adopt a cost-saving plan to reorganize the clerk’s office and improve customer service. Yocum has served as clerk in an interim capacity since December when Cherry Lawson took a city clerk’s…… MORE
Arena contract change aims to limit taxpayer losses
Bloomington’s city government is looking to limit the amount of money its losing from owning Grossinger Motors Arena.… 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…