Happy New Year!… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Local teacher announces run for Bloomington City Council
A local teacher will enter the race for Ward 5 on the Bloomington City Council.… MORE
March planned following teens’ racist social media posts in Normal
The Bloomington-Normal NAACP is joining the Normal West Black Student Union for a march next week in opposition to racist posts on social media.… MORE
Reopening of state shines light on damage
The return to indoor dining spotlights the disappearance of restaurant jobs, says an organization which frequently opposes Gov. JB Pritzker and other Democrats.… MORE
Black to leave City Council
Saying he’s proud of his many accomplishments including the creation of the Public Safety and Community Relations Board, the West Market Street Mural and the myBloomington app Ward 7 Alderman Scott Black announced Friday that he will not be seeking re-election in 2021.… MORE
Council reconvenes after technical issues
The Bloomington City Council had a re-do of Monday night’s meeting on Wednesday.… MORE
Pritzker may not be on the ballot, but attack ads are on the air
The Democrat-pushed graduated income tax proposal is on the November ballot, but Carlson says that’s not part of this campaign.… MORE
Kids Count report shows wealth and health disparities among races in Illinois
his year’s Kids Count report is only partially encouraging.… MORE
Local mayors aim to combat systemic racism, Normal’s Koos looks for leadership change at federal level
Bloomington’s mayor said Thursday night he envisions a demiltarization of city police, while his counterpart in Normal said improved partnerships between local, state and federal governments are required to combat systemic racism.… MORE
Group representing cities, towns, and villages of Illinois making its voice heard among BLM protests
A group representing the cities, towns, and villages of Illinois is making its voice heard … among the Black Lives Matter protests. Brad Cole, executive director of the Illinois Municipal League, points to the “shared principles” of the Illinois NAACP and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.… 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…