Bloomington’s cannabis task force is recommending the city council allow regulated marijuana sales for recreational use, but task force members are not unanimous in that view.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Hit a deer in Illinois? You can probably keep it
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding residents that after a collision with a deer, a motorist who wants the venison can keep it, but there are a few requirements. … MORE
ISU’s Dietz plans regular meetings about racism on campus
Students from Illinois State University’s Black Homecoming Committee met with the university president on Wednesday to discuss their protests about inequality on campus.… MORE
ISU seeks to replace U-High, Metcalf lab schools, envisions new engineering building
Illinois State University’s wish list of capital projects, released Monday, includes replacing its two laboratory schools and building a home for its engineering school.… MORE
Rivian thanks community for support by showing off what will be built here
Rivian Automotive’s display of its soon-to-be produced electric pick-up truck and sport utility vehicle attracted Governor JB Pritzker, federal and state lawmakers. However, company chief executive RJ Scaringe said Sunday’s celebration was for the hundreds and perhaps thousands of Twin-City residents who showed up to see the vehicles up close, and meet with Rivian’s team at Uptown Circle.… MORE
Historic Tax Credit could see expansion
Historic preservation is a big deal in central Illinois, and it could get bigger.… MORE
Task force recommends consolidating pension systems
Economies of scale. Pooling resources. Eliminating redundancy. A governor’s task force is recommending Illinois’ suburban and downstate police and fire pension systems consolidate into two.… MORE
Majority of crops in good-to-excellent condition
The upcoming cooler weather should be all right for Illinois crops, seeing as how it is not a frost or freeze, according to USDA Illinois statistician Mark Schleusener of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.… MORE
Illinois’ top military man address nation’s obesity epidemic
What does the Early Learning Center in Springfield have to do with our fighting forces? Speaking at that facility Tuesday, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Jay Sheedy has the answer.… MORE
State officials urge caution with rat poison as pests head indoors to avoid the cold
Poison control officials want people to be cautious in how they use poison as the weather turns cooler and mice and rats seek out warmer places.… 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…