Illinois State University is revealing its most ambitious fundraising campaign in history, an effort that’s nearly 70 percent complete.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Bloomington-Normal seeks role in Illinois’ bid to land Amazon
Local economic developers believe Bloomington-Normal can help make a more attractive offer for Chicago’s bid to land Amazon.… MORE
Rep. Davis: Zero chance ‘dreamers’ get deported amid DACA overhaul
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, said it’s time for Congress to pass a permanent fix for the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program that he said should protect the children of immigrant parents from deportation.… MORE
Bloomington council to consider sharper rate hikes for quicker infrastructure fix
Some Bloomington aldermen want city staffers to recommend more aggressive rate hikes to speed up the pace of repairs for the city’s deteriorating sewer and storm water system.… MORE
2 Illinois Wesleyan football players fear deportation amid DACA overhaul
Two Illinois Wesleyan football players have more than classes and their next game to worry about.… MORE
DACA decision sparks protests
Shortly after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced an end to DACA, rallies and protests began in central Illinois. … MORE
Bloomington unveils streets master plan
Bloomington has identified 27 road projects that it will like to get done in the next two decades, provided there’s money to pay for them.… MORE
Central Illinois Red Cross volunteers help with Hurricane Harvey relief
Several dozen Red Cross volunteers in Central and Southern Illinois are headed to Texas to assist with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the floods that devastated the Houston area.… MORE
District 87 uses cash reserves to account for unprecedented state shortfall
District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly said the school funding shortage in Illinois has reached unprecedented levels.… MORE
Red Cross seeks nominees for heroes breakfast
Calling all heroes! … 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…