Rural McLean County residents are likely to hear more from area Democrats in the coming months.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Board picks Health Director Rodriguez as next McLean County Administrator
McLean County government will soon have a new administrator.… MORE
Two Normal council members regret partisanship as they bid farewell
Two Normal Town Council members, who attended their final council meeting Monday night, lamented that the divisiveness afflicting national politics has spread to the local level.… MORE
Town council backs north Normal hotel plans without tax breaks
The Normal Town Council unanimously approved plans Monday night for an extended stay hotel in north Normal, although Mayor Chris Koos said the town is not offering tax breaks for the developer to build Home 2 Suites by Hilton at Constitution Trail Center.… MORE
Fire station plan, subdivision changes set for “routine” Normal Town Council vote
A controversial plan that includes rezoning for a northeast side fire station in Normal is back on the town council’s agenda Monday night.… MORE
Renner: City Council will experience culture change
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner is excited to work with newly elected city council members and is anticipating a bit of change.… MORE
Bloomington asphalt and concrete fund not yet set in stone
Bloomington aldermen spent most of their time Monday night discussing whether a proposed fund to pay for asphalt and concrete should include more than just asphalt and concrete.… MORE
Bloomington’s Gleason to search nationwide for next police chief
By Howard Packowitz BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington will conduct a national search for its next police chief. City Manager Tim Gleason acknowledges people currently on the force are interested in replacing Clay Wheeler, but Gleason told aldermen Monday night he believes the position will attract many good candidates. “What I envision is…… MORE
Hotel builder eyes incentives from Normal for extended stay suites
The builder who wants to put up an extended stay hotel in north Normal hopes the town government considers tax breaks to help fund the project.… MORE
Normal’s mayor blasts township supervisor’s “shameful” tactics
Normal’s mayor is sounding off on what he said are Normal Township Supervisor Sarah Grammer’s “shameful” tactics protesting Connect Transit fare hikes and elimination of a bus route.… 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…