Illinois is approaching 700 days without a complete state budget and Unit 5 is owed $8 million in state aid.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Local Republicans decry income tax hike
Central Illinois Republicans were unanimous in slamming a proposed $5.4 billion tax increase which the Illinois Senate pushed through Tuesday with no GOP support.… MORE
LaHood critical of Trump’s proposed cuts to education, agriculture
President Donald Trump’s first federal budget proposal due to be released Tuesday would make steep cuts to many social safety nets and to education.… MORE
Normal PD rooftop event raises money for Special Olympics
Police in Normal are trying to dodge the raindrops on the rooftop of Dunkin’ Donuts to raise money for Special Olympics.… MORE
LaHood considers Trump allegations serious; not ready for independent probe
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said it’s too early to call for independent investigator to probe allegations that President Trump tried to get FBI Director James Comey to end his investigation of fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.… MORE
GOP strategist: Trump ‘lying through his teeth’ on Comey firing
A Republican strategist who has worked in the Justice Department is taking the Trump administration to task over its inconsistent explanations for why the president fired FBI director James Comey.… MORE
Rivian Automotive to host Chamber, EDC event
Local economic developers are offering a chance to see inside the Rivian Automotive plant that’s under renovation in Normal.
… MORE
Rep. Davis: ‘Somewhat troubled’ by Comey firing
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said he was ‘surprised and somewhat troubled’ by the news of FBI Director James Comey’s firing.… MORE
Bloomington plans to create transportation committee
Bloomington city officials say creating a new transportation committee will make it easier to engage the public.… MORE
Sen. Brady: Plan to license gun dealers creates more bureaucracy
The Illinois Senate has approved a measure to give the state the power to regulate gun dealers, something that’s already done at the federal level.… 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…