State money for veterans, the homeless and those who need addiction treatment has been on hold since the budget impasse began last summer.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Bloomington tavern making changes to comply with gambling rules
A Bloomington tavern that was making more money on gambling machines than in food and drink, a violation of the city’s liquor license rules, is being given time to make changes.… MORE
City manager: Bloomington will work with other tax bodies on TIF propsal
As a private firm gets to work on the feasibility of offering tax incentives for a downtown Bloomington hotel, city officials are trying to ward off any opposition to the proposed plan from taxing bodies. … MORE
ISU expert: Low voter turnout could benefit Trump
The two leading candidates for the White House have two of the most disliked presidential candidates in history.… MORE
Bloomington releases list of streets to be resurfaced, repaired
The City of Bloomington has posted on its website the list of nearly two dozen streets that will be getting resurfaced or repaired this summer.… MORE
Bloomington-Normal garden walk marks 20 years
Bloomington-Normal’s annual Glorious Garden Festival Garden Walk is marking 20 years this spring.… MORE
Report: School consolidations could save Illinois $170 million annually
A report from the Illinois Policy Institute claims the state could save up to $170 million annually by consolidating school districts.… MORE
Video gaming operator says Bloomington waited too long to seek gaming fees
By Eric Stock BLOOMINGTON – A video gambling operator suggests their gambling machines are not the cash cows for bars and restaurants that’s being portrayed by supporters of a new gambling fee in Bloomington. The city is looking to charge establishments for each gaming machine, after recently approving higher liquor license fees. Pete Pontius, Director…… MORE
District 87 chief: Transparency could have prevented state overpayments
District 87 superintendent Barry Reilly said the millions of dollars that the state overpaid local taxing bodies this year is a symptom of a lack of transparency.… MORE
Bloomington veterinarian: Pets are safe in parks, daycare despite dog flu
One case does not constitute an outbreak, according to a local veterinarian who is trying to tamp down concerns over dog flu.… 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…