Normal mayor Chris Koos said the incentives the town has offered businesses such at Rivian Automotive and Portillo’s were critical to landing those businesses.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Lower: Bloomington should force entertainment venues to raise fees
Bloomington alderman and candidate for mayor Kevin Lower said a key part of his plan to re-prioritize city spending is to demand that city-supported entertainment venues, including U.S. Cellular Coliseum and the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, be more self sufficient.… MORE
Former prosecutor says Schock recordings could be damaging
Former federal prosecutor Pat Brady said secret recordings of Aaron Schock that the government could use in the former congressman’s corruption case could prove to be damaging evidence against him if it’s allowed in court.… MORE
Veterans Parkway resurfacing project to begin next week
Illinois Department of Transportation crews will begin work next week on resurfacing a three-mile stretch of Veterans Parkway in Bloomington. … MORE
Robocalls target Brady, other GOP senators
A group calling itself Republicans for Fair Taxation has been making robocalls in some GOP Senate districts in Illinois, including Bill Brady’s.… MORE
LaHood: Republicans ‘miscalculated’ on Obamacare overhaul
U.S. Rep. Congressman Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said there’s plenty of blame to go around to explained Congress’ failure to repeal and replace Obamacare, including his own party.… MORE
Mayor challenger in Normal wants town to reprioritize spending
The man trying to unseat Chris Koos as Normal’s mayor, political newcomer Marc Tiritilli said his plan is to reprioritize the city’s spending habits.… MORE
Stevenson lecture to address renewable energy, climate change
Is there a choice between a better economy or better climate?… MORE
Rep. Brady expects House will pass partisan budget this spring
State Rep. Dan Brady said he expects the Illinois House will pass a budget before the spring session ends in May.… MORE
Lower: Facebook comment not intended to be racially charged
By Eric Stock BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington mayoral candidate Kevin Lower is trying to explain an online comment he made in 2014 that has caused a firestorm in the weeks before the election. Lower said in a Facebook response “There are certainly many more opportunities on the African continent than on the North American.” That came…… 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…