By Dave Dahl NORMAL – The first of two statewide televised debates had both camps declaring victory, as Gov. JB Pritzker and State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) met Thursday night at Illinois State University in Normal. Nexstar Broadcasting put on the debate, airing on tee vee stations that included WMBD Channel 31 in Peoria and…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Bipartisanship was practically oozing at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Thursday. House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) tweaked chamber president / CEO Todd Maisch just a little. “I want to remind folks I distinctly remember Todd offering some praise for the work that we did on our state budget,…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The speaker of the Illinois House said Wednesday his political opponents want to sow fear and spread misinformation. Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) told the City Club of Chicago that the elimination of cash bail, effective Jan. 1, is a good thing. “Those who want to repeat the Safe-T Act, ask…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Former Gov. Jim Edgar rarely endorses candidates anymore. The Republican lawmaker going for another of Edgar’s old jobs – secretary of state – is an exception. “Realistically,” Edgar told a crowded room at a Republican campaign office near the Capitol Thursday, State Rep. “Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has the best chance…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A pair of former lawmakers have lost in the Illinois Supreme Court, in an attempt to gain a belated payday. The high court’s unanimous decision gave Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza a chance to take a victory lap. “I think it’s just the height of shamelessness to, once you leave office,…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – The issue of districts for the Normal Town council will remain off the ballot following the most recent ruling from a McLean County judge. Following multiple hours of arguments before Judge Scott Kording Monday, he released his decision virtually Tuesday. The question at the heart of the case is an issue of…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A Heyworth High School teacher and coach has taken his seat on the McLean County Board, believing he can help mend fences in an otherwise polarized political environment. Normal resident Jay “Ryan” Lawler, a Democrat, was appointed to fill the vacant District 4 county board seat, but will hold the…… MORE
By Dave Dahl LEXINGTON – The candidates for the two top offices on the ballot this November – U.S. Senate and governor – presented their views in separate speeches in Lexington Wednesday. The Schuler Farms in McLean County hosted the Illinois Farm Bureau Candidates’ Roundtable. The city of Chicago has become the OK Corral, with…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A Democrat from Normal, criticized for her views on law enforcement, is withdrawing her candidacy for a short-term appointment to the McLean County Board, and is instead focusing her efforts on winning the seat in the November election. With Krystal Able opting out, Heyworth High School social studies teacher and…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When Republican Bruce Rauner was governor, he arrived at his party’s Illinois State Fair rally on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), the GOP candidate for governor this year, may have done him one better: showing up in a green John Deere 410 tractor. That was part of…… 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…