The organization heading up local economic development efforts is again having to defend itself against criticism that taxpayers aren’t getting their money’s worth.… MORE
The organization heading up local economic development efforts is again having to defend itself against criticism that taxpayers aren’t getting their money’s worth.… MORE
If you thought the minimum wage bill passed in a hurry, Gov. JB Pritzker says there’s more where that came from.… MORE
After Gov. J.B. Pritzker gives his budget speech at noon today, you can be sure someone will accuse him of kicking the pension can down the road.… MORE
The bill that will raise minimum wage in Illinois to $15 was signed Tuesday by the governor.… MORE
Bloomington aldermen appear ready to extend the one-year freeze preventing businesses from installing new video gaming machines.… MORE
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said Monday night he favors a four-cent per gallon hike in the local gasoline tax to repair crumbling streets.… MORE
Normal Mayor Chris Koos is not saying, “I told you so,” but Koos said he’s known for quite some time that electric vehicle maker Rivian is the real deal.… MORE
Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason is extending an olive branch to local businesses. The city announced Thursday it is suspending a program in which existing and future businesses would have to pay a one-time only $50 registration fee.… MORE
Community leaders visiting the nation’s capitol next month have picked their priorities when they lobby with a unified voice to receive federal funding for local projects.… MORE
A proposed rewrite of Bloomington’s zoning code is being sent to the city council later this month with a unanimous endorsement from the city’s planning commission despite objections from a couple of well-known business owners.… 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…