Now that Tari Renner is no longer Bloomington’s mayor, he’s considering a run for the Illinois legislature.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Gov. Pritzker signs legislation making Juneteenth an official state holiday
By WJBC Staff SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Wednesday declaring June 19, Juneteenth, an official state holiday. To commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the United States and its territories in 1865, Juneteenth will be recognized as National Freedom Day in Illinois. “Just as Illinois led the nation as the first state to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment,…… MORE
State Sen. Barickman calls state budget “fatally flawed”
A Central Illinois lawmaker, who is mulling a decision to run for Governor, says Illinois’ new state budget was ‘fatally flawed.”… MORE
ISU, Bradley professors on what to expect out of Biden-Putin meeting
President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting is set to be the event of the week on Wednesday.… MORE
Sen. Durbin calling for an investigation into Trump-era DOJ
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin is calling for an investigation in Congress and the Department of Justice Inspector General to produce materials relating to a decision in the Trump-era DOJ.… MORE
McLean County Board member resigns
Logan Smith submitted his resignation to McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre Friday, effective immediately. … MORE
Former GOP Chairman: Gov. Pritzker’s campaign donations suggest he’s seeking a second term
Gov. Pritzker continues to dodge questions about seeking a second term; however, former GOP Chairman Pat Brady says the nation’s wealthiest office holder’s recent campaign donation tells a different story.… MORE
Sen. Durbin calls on Congress to pass bipartisan Jan. 6 commission with more than 400 arrested
As the hunt continues for more suspects alleged to play a part in the deadly capitol insurrections on January 6th, Illinois’ Senior Senator calls on Congress to form an independent investigation into the attack.… MORE
Springfield Mayor pleas for coal jobs
Phasing out coal sounds good to a lot of people, and negotiations toward a new energy bill in Illinois this summer point to a fourteen-year sunset. For union members and politicians gathered in a Springfield union hall Friday, there’s not enough time – and it will cost hundreds of jobs.… MORE
Bill backlog at pre-9/11 level
The state’s checkwriter-in-chief says her office has reached a real milestone.… 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…