Rodney Davis knows something about gun crimes. The Republican Congressman from Taylorville was at a baseball practice near Washington in 2017, when a gunman fired at the players, wounding U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.).… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Tax breaks approved for ex-Bloomington alderman’s downtown rehab plans
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council has signed off on a deal offering tax breaks for a former alderman who wants to expand his downtown business and create space for two other retailers. The council voted unanimously Monday night for an agreement in which local tax incentives would fund approximately 17% of…… MORE
‘Jelani Day Bill’ signed into law
By HOI ABC SPRINGFIELD – The mother of Jelani Day, the late Illinois State University graduate student, is pleased the bill named for her son is now the law in Illinois. Gov. JB Pritzker has signed legislation requiring local law enforcement notify the FBI within 72 hours after the discovery of a body. Day went…… MORE
County Board delays vote on proposed solar farm in southwest Bloomington
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Elected leaders who have the final say whether a solar farm will sprout up in southwest Bloomington are holding off on a decision in hopes local workers will be used to build the project. Cypress Creek Renewables wants to build the county’s second solar farm, to be located in Dale…… MORE
Political newcomer takes his seat as Bloomington alderman
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council is backing Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe’s pick to fill a council vacancy even though an alderman complained the selection is part of the mayor’s plan to move the council to the right. Monday night, the council voted 6-2 to approve Grant Walch to replace Jamie Mathy as…… MORE
Normal will pay consultant to plan growth for Uptown South, city manager gets a raise
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A consultant is being hired to draw up a master plan to build another part of Uptown Normal, and the town’s manager is getting a raise following town council action Monday night. The council voted 5-2 to hire a Chicago-based firm to plan for Uptown South, which encompasses about eight…… MORE
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates take the stage in Tazewell County
By Dave Dahl WASHINGTON – Two Republican candidates for governor, on stage in Tazewell County Monday night, stressed the importance of their Christian faith. “If we have to do one thing to save our great state of Illinois,” said Jesse Sullivan, “it’s this: we need to deepen our relationship with God: as individuals, as a…… MORE
City of Bloomington one step closer to turning downtown eyesore into housing solution
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington is a step closer to turning a downtown eyesore into a housing solution. Monday night, the council unanimously passed an agreement between the city and a developer to revitalize the CII East building downtown. The privately-owned building on East Street has been vacant for many years,…… MORE
Normal to work with Iowa firm for $50+million Uptown redevelopment
By HOI ABC NORMAL – The Normal Town Council has taken the first step toward reviving plans to redevelop a large part of Uptown Normal even as one council member said the town appears to be setting the wrong priorities. The council voted 6-1, with Stan Nord voting no, for a memorandum of understanding to…… MORE
Uptown Normal appears one step closer to $50+ million redevelopment
By HOI ABC NORMAL – The Town of Normal has been working to redevelop the Uptown area for more than half a decade. That dream may soon become reality as the council will review the plans from a new developer at Monday night’s meeting. Eagle View Partners has submitted plans for Trail East and Trail…… 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…