Bloomington city government will return some of the money it received from businesses with video gambling machines because the gaming terminals have been shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Attorney expects more lawsuits after state lawmaker successfully challenges Illinois governor’s stay-at-home order
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday his office planned to appeal a ruling in a legal fight over the governor’s authority to extend the state’s stay-at-home order.… MORE
Illinois Business Alliance again urges Pritzker to pull progressive tax from ballot
The Illinois Business Alliance, a nonprofit business league, has again urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to pull the progressive income tax amendment from the November ballot after the governor announced an extension of the state’s stay-at-home order with some modifications.… MORE
Local Republicans respond to governor’s stay-at-home order extension
Gov. JB Pritzker has extended the state’s stay-at-home order through the end of May and some local Republican lawmakers have weighed in.… MORE
GOP Senators seek records related to early release from prisons
Several Republican state senators filed public records requests with the Illinois Department of Corrections after they say the governor didn’t respond to a formal letter for more information about the release of prisoners during the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
New Bloomington city budget not etched in stone
The Bloomington City Council unanimously passed a $230 million budget Wednesday night, but the elected leaders said they’re willing to make changes given the uncertainty about COVID-19’s financial impact.… MORE
House GOP members suggest how state should reopen
Just in case Gov. JB Pritzker has a suggestion box for what to do when the “stay at home” order expires next Thursday, some House Republicans are at the ready.… MORE
COVID-19 outbreak raises labor issues at Illinois prisons
A county board chairman has raised concerns after he said the Illinois Department of Corrections failed to test 5 correctional officers who worked at Stateville Correctional Center, a state-run prison that has been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Entering second month of stay-at-home order, Illinois state lawmaker not ruling out legal challenge to Pritzker’s power
As Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order enters a second month and with an extension beyond the end of April expected, some have questioned the governor’s authority to issue emergency declarations.… MORE
McLean County Board extends helping hand to suffering small businesses, taxpayers
Owners of small businesses in McLean County, struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic are receiving some relief in the form of low-interest loans, while landowners in the county will have more time to pay their property taxes after elected leaders took action Tuesday night.… 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…