By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A Republican who has represented Bloomington’s east side on the McLean County Board since 2016 is not seeking re-election. “It has been the honor of my lifetime to represent the people of Bloomington on the McLean County Board, but I have decided now is the right time to step down and…… MORE
Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) wants American Rescue Plan funding to go to families who want their child to go to a different school if the district moves to remote learning.… MORE
With children killed, investigators killed, no place to put kids, and a director being held in contempt of court, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is a troubled state agency. And some statehouse Republicans want changes – starting with some tough questions for DCFS director Marc Smith.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Normal Town Council member Scott Preston on Wednesday announced his candidacy for the 91st House District. Preston, 34, is running as a Republican in the newly drawn 91st District which covers most of Bloomington-Normal and stretches west to Peoria. “Illinois is a great state with amazing people, yet our state…… MORE
The governor’s office suggests the latest public service campaign – to get people “off the fence” and into a vaccine clinic – may be working, as some Illinoisans are now getting a covid vaccine for the first time. … MORE
Lawmakers continue to stay away from Springfield.… MORE
New legislation in Illinois anticipates a day in which most of us are driving electric cars.… MORE
A lot’s happened in the past year, but it seems more has happened to Chris Welch.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers are looking after the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew grants. State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago) quizzed Karl Brinson, president of the Chicago Westside NAACP. “What are the reasons we are experiencing this heartbreaking uptick in gun violence since March 2020?” LaPointe asked. “People follow data,” said Brinson, “but you have…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Jelani Day’s brother and mother expressed their displeasure to Bloomington aldermen Monday night about how police have handled the Illinois State University graduate student’s death last year. At Monday night’s city council meeting, Seve Day called his sibling’s death a “hate crime” and said the investigation conducted by several police…… 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…