Slow down in the school zones!… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Lawmakers calling on Gov. Pritzker to make Illinois leader in cybersecurity
Everybody has had their identity stolen; the only difference is whether anybody has done anything with the information.… MORE
New state law makes remote doctor visits more accessible
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Post pandemic, one new thing which will stick around will be the virtual doctor visit. Gov. JB Pritzker Thursday signed a bill expanding access to tele-health. “Today is historic because, as we come out of this pandemic,” said the House sponsor, State Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-Calumet City), “we have to…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker signs birth control bill intended for over-the-counter availability
Illinoisans will soon be able to get contraceptives directly from pharmacists – without a doctor’s prescription.… MORE
Rep. Davis disappointed in Speaker Pelosi after veto
A Central Illinois lawmaker tabbed to help investigate the deadly capitol insurrection said he’s disappointed in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after the Speaker rejected two of the five Republicans House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy selected for the panel.… MORE
Federal COVID funds suggested to speed up Bloomington’s flood control efforts
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Some Bloomington aldermen are recommending using some of the millions of dollars the city is receiving in federal COVID-19 aid to upgrade aging sewer systems that made flooding even worse following historically heavy rainfall last month. The city council discussed the flooding at a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday night, part of what…… MORE
Town Council approves $24 million underpass for Uptown Normal
By HOI ABC NORMAL – After years of debate, the Town of Normal has approved a nearly $24 million underpass providing pedestrians and bike riders a below-ground place to cross Union Pacific train tracks. After some heated discussion, town council members Monday night voted 6-1 in favor of accepting federal grant money to build the connector…… MORE
Illinois National Guard participating in Operation Cyber Shield
A test of the firewalls is on, as the Illinois National Guard is participating in Operation Cyber Shield. It’s a national exercise that’s in its second and final week.… MORE
Bloomington council member Jenn Carillo resigning
Bloomington council member Jenn Carillo is stepping down after a little more than two years in office.… MORE
Normal Council vote expected Monday on $24 million Uptown underpass
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A vote is expected Monday night whether the Normal Town Council will back construction of a nearly $24 million underpass allowing pedestrians and bicyclists to travel under the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Uptown Normal. The council will decide whether to sign off on a grant agreement with the federal government…… 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…