Former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo never had to appear in a federal courtroom between 2021 and 2022 as he was arraigned on tax evasion charges, later pleaded guilty and was then sentenced to six months in prison all via videoconference due to COVID-19.… MORE
Illinois’ assault weapons ban will remain in place, at least until a federal appeals court hears full arguments challenging a lower court ruling that found the law unconstitutional.… MORE
In the first court hearing since an appellate court ruled former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson should get an opportunity for freedom, a judge set Friday as the hearing date for the least restrictive conditions of release.… MORE
A state watchdog has identified at least $7.2 million in fraudulent claims and more than 275 instances of misconduct by state employees accused of bilking a federal program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – One person was injured after a shooting incident near Sandra Lane and Bryan Street on Tuesday. Officers responded to the scene at 2:01 p.m. and located a victim who was struck by gunfire, Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli stated. The victim was treated by officers until the fire department personnel arrived…… MORE
Prisons are dangerous places, and a group of senators says it doesn’t help that staff and inmates are exposed to deadly drugs.… MORE
Then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis had already been cooperating with the FBI for a little more than a year in June 2017 when he received an unexpected voicemail from powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Whether you have been naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming back to Bloomington this year. The iconic Livingston’s Santa statue, that is, will have its return celebrated by the McLean County Museum of History, said Micaela Harris, the museum’s Director of Communications. The museum will host a celebration at 11:30…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Midwest Food Bank is helping farmers in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. About a month ago, a local Illinois farmer stopped by the organization and donated over 600 large round alfalfa hay bales. Now, the Midwest Food Bank is in the process of getting it to those who need…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Five new electric buses are coming to Unit 5 School District. The district was awarded two grants over the last few years from the Illinois and federal EPA grant for electric buses. On Wednesday, the school board accepted a bid for 5 buses for more than $2 million. The district will…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…