By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino was a state representative, he did not keep his campaign spending records in line with state law. Now the Illinois State Board of Elections has found Mautino’s committee did not knowingly break the law. Campaign committee members had gas and repairs from Happy’s Super…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council Monday night held the first of what’s likely to be many public discussions about what to do with almost $13.4 million from the American Rescue Plan to ease the community’s economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Speeding up long-awaited infrastructure improvements, including sewer upgrades following last…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian’s expansion is moving along in Normal after a unanimous town council vote in support Monday night. The electric truck and SUV maker wants to add another 623,000 square feet making that facility roughly 3.7 million square feet in total, adding more trees, lights and signs directing people to the…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Republicans running in the 2022 election have to face this question: how loyal are you to former President Donald Trump? “The answer, I think, comes in two stages,” says University of Illinois political science president Brian Gaines. “Will it be a primary problem or a general election problem. I think…… MORE
So Gov. JB Pritzker led an Illinois contingent to England and Scotland, including to the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.. What did we get out of it?… MORE
A central Illinois Republican congressman is defending his stance on why he voted against the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill.… MORE
With a handful of Democrats already declaring, there is finally a Republican apparently ready for a run for secretary of state – and it’s a local lawmaker. … MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Public Library has the backing of the city council for a tax increase to pay for most of a $22.8 million library expansion, while the council also finalized a three-year contract with unionized police officers. Aldermen voted 7-2 with members Nick Becker and Sheila Montney voting no, even…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Unionized Bloomington Police officers would receive 2.5% annual pay increases under terms of a proposed three-year contract that also gives bilingual officers annual bonuses. The city council will vote Monday night on a tentative deal costing Bloomington taxpayers almost $1.4 million dollars during the three years. “This ratification will match…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Decades in the making, the Bloomington City Council is about to make a decision whether to proceed with funding a $22.8 million addition to the public library. The cost is $2 million less if leaders scrap plans for a new parking deck. “After over 20 years of discussions and we…… 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…