The man challenging long-time State Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington in the Republican Primary is taking sides in the Illinois governor’s race.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
McLean County Board approves property tax breaks to land hundreds of factory jobs
A second local taxing body agrees to offer property tax incentives for hundreds of new manufacturing jobs.… MORE
Rep. Brady: Good outweighs the bad on tax break deal for Canadian firm
State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington acknowledges local taxing bodies have a difficult decision whether to approve tax breaks for the Canadian agricultural equipment firm considering a site north of Normal for a manufacturing plant, potentially adding hundreds of new jobs for McLean County.… MORE
Hundreds of manufacturing jobs seen for McLean County in return for tax breaks
A Canadian firm is considering locating a manufacturing plant in an unincorporated area just north of Normal that could add hundreds of new jobs for McLean County.… MORE
Unit 5 teachers union praises immigration resolution
The head of the Unit 5 teachers union is applauding the school board’s vote declaring the district safe and welcoming for all students. The resolution passed earlier this week is intended to lessen the fears of so-called Dreamers, whose parents are undocumented immigrants.… MORE
Rep. Davis not reading much into Democratic wins in Tuesday’s elections
Democrats say their election victories in New Jersey, Virginia and elsewhere on Tuesday served as a referendum on President Donald Trump.… MORE
Hales, on his last day as city manager, praised for shoring up Bloomington finances
Two elected leaders who don’t always see eye-to-eye agree David Hales helped dig Bloomington out of a deep financial hole after becoming city manager almost nine years ago.… MORE
Mayor Koos: Tax hike “uncomfortable” but fairly easy choice
Normal town council members seem united they need to raise property taxes to cover the soaring cost of pensions for retired public safety employees.… MORE
Renner: Entire council to choose Bloomington’s next city manager
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner pledged on Thursday that the entire city council will actively take part in the search for a new city manager.… MORE
Blumenshine tries to unseat Rep. Brady in Republican Primary
A mainstay in the Illinois legislature, Republican State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington, is facing a primary challenge.… 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…