Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives’ new internet and social media ad is facing criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Illinois GOP praises State of the Union; Duckworth calls it ‘reckless rhetoric’
A frequent critic of President Donald Trump said the president delivered a strong State of the Union address.… MORE
LaHood: Infrastructure key to Trump’s State of the Union
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said he expects infrastructure will be one of President Donald Trump’s key agenda items in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.… MORE
Rep. Brady: Schools getting caught up on state aid, vendors still lagging
State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said there are some good things going on in Springfield that he hopes Gov. Bruce Rauner will highlight in his State of the State address next week.… MORE
Renner: Connect Transit needs new downtown site, with or without library
Bloomington mayor Tari Renner said he isn’t giving up hope on plans for a new Connect Transit bus transfer station downtown even if a proposal for a major catalysts project downtown appears off the table.… MORE
Normal plans budget cuts; blames shrinking sales tax revenue
Normal City Manager Mark Peterson said a shrinking tax base – particularly the sales tax – has caused a $4.25 million shortfall the town council is trying to plug.… MORE
Durbin: DACA bill still on track after meeting with Trump
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is standing by his account of a meeting last week in which President Donald Trump reportedly used a vulgar phrase when referring to African countries.… MORE
Bloomington mayor optimistic about future of downtown State Farm building
Bloomington mayor Tari Renner said his jaw dropped when State Farm announced it was moving out of the downtown offices it has occupied for close to 90 years.… MORE
Bloomington-Normal EDC: Rivian surpassing benchmarks in 1st year
Rivian Automotive is surpassing expectations in the year since it planned to build electric vehicles in Normal, according to the CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council.… MORE
Bloomington-Normal EDC head: Tougher financial scrutiny a ‘non-issue’
The head of the local Economic Development Council says the group is working with McLean County officials who have raised concerns about how it is spending county tax dollars.… 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…