Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator is crediting McLean County Democrats for providing new faces and new energy into the party that helped lead to the election of a Democratic governor.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Ward 2 council hopefuls set for February 10 debate
Voters will soon be hearing more from candidates running in the April 2nd local elections, including a face-to-face meeting a week from Sunday between the two people vying for alderman to represent Bloomington’s southwest side.… MORE
Council set to adopt Bloomington parks master plan
A master plan almost two years in the making for Bloomington parks will be presented to the city council Monday night for a final vote.… MORE
MLK keynoter: Obama failed to lead on race
A prominent liberal voice did not hide his contempt for President Donald Trump during an appearance at Illinois State University on Friday, but he also said the nation’s first African-American president failed to lead on race relations.… MORE
Passenger confronts Rep. Davis for flying first class during shutdown
A video has gone viral showing Central Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis ignoring a fellow airline passenger’s complaint that he should not be flying in first class during the partial government shutdown.… MORE
Pritzker calls for more renewable energy, expert warns of consumer costs
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order Wednesday to join the U.S. Climate Alliance to get all of the state’s energy from renewable sources by 2050, but a critic said the plan will lead to higher utility prices for consumers rather than reversing climate change.… MORE
Rep. Brady: Opportunity for Pritzker to support fair map legislation
A local lawmaker in the Illinois House is co-sponsoring a constitutional amendment to remove politicians from the legislative map drawing process.… MORE
Bloomington budget process starts with a surplus
A budget deficit has turned into a surplus for Bloomington’s city government.… MORE
Normal council approves fire station plan despite neighbors complaints
Despite vocal opposition, the Normal Town Council moved ahead Tuesday night with a developer’s plans for a redesigned subdivision, including selling part of the property to the town government for a northeast side fire station.… MORE
Pritzker vows to make Illinois most progressive state for women’s reproductive rights
Illinois’ new governor aims to make the Land of Lincoln the most progressive state for women’s reproductive rights.… 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…