District 87 administrators know the local economy is not growing very fast, but they were surprised to learn that one of the barometers of economic activity isn’t moving at all.… MORE
District 87 administrators know the local economy is not growing very fast, but they were surprised to learn that one of the barometers of economic activity isn’t moving at all.… MORE
A Normal Planning Commissioner has announced he’s running for a spot on the Normal Town Council after the longest serving council member announced he’s not seeking re-election.… MORE
District 87 administrators believe property taxes will be flat to a little bit lower even as they expect to collect more from landowners for the next school year.… MORE
The partnership between new Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason and his top assistant, who once sought Gleason’s job, has come to an end after just a few months.… MORE
A century old building on Bloomington’s west side will be used as a job training site for women.… MORE
New Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason said an ordinance unanimously passed by the city council Monday night requires him to curb “pension spiking” for retiring city workers that costs taxpayers millions of dollars.… MORE
Illinois State University’s governing board will decide Friday whether to award President Larry Dietz a bonus after giving him a glowing performance review.… MORE
The challenger to Republican State Rep. Keith Sommer in the 88th Legislative District race claimed during a debate Wednesday night that Sommer is not responsive to constituents’ concerns. The incumbent of almost 20 years said that’s not true, and added that public input helps him make better decisions.… MORE
The severance package for former Bloomington City Manager David Hales will top $90,000 after he leaves the position he’s held for 11 months as Joliet’s city manager.… MORE
Springfield Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan is hoping to be part of a “Blue Wave” that sends U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) home.… 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…