Category Archives: Uncategorized

Political newcomer takes his seat as Bloomington alderman

Political newcomer takes his seat as Bloomington alderman

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council is backing Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe’s pick to fill a council vacancy even though an alderman complained the selection is part of the mayor’s plan to move the council to the right. Monday night, the council voted 6-2 to approve Grant Walch to replace Jamie Mathy as…MORE

Popular Lake Bloomington Establishment on Fire

Popular Lake Bloomington Establishment on Fire

By A.J. Harris HUDSON – Green Gables Bar and Grill, the popular bar and restaurant is on fire. Reports of the fire started coming in around 3:30 Monday. Initial reports indicated the fire was under control, but as more information was available it appears the blaze spread. Eye witnesses who were out at the scene…MORE

Roe v. Wade reactions continue from Illinois Politicians

Roe v. Wade reactions continue from Illinois Politicians

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The morning after the news about the possible reversal of Roe v. Wade broke, Gov. JB Pritzker gathered two or three dozen Democratic lawmakers for a news conference in Chicago – ready for a fight. The group, including State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (far right) (D-Chicago), issued a warning: “It’s not…MORE

Leah Marlene advances to Top 7 on ‘American Idol’

Leah Marlene advances to Top 7 on ‘American Idol’

By HOI ABC NORMAL – Normal native Leah Marlene is one step closer to the top spot on singing competition ‘American Idol.’ Marlene advanced to the Top 7 Sunday night, singing ‘When She Loved Me’ from Toy Story 2 as part of ‘Disney Night.’ “THANK YOU with my entire heart, soul and being for all…MORE

Earmarks can be used for good

Earmarks can be used for good

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Here’s an old joke: it’s pork if it’s in somebody else’s district. But seriously, folks, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says earmarks are good and always have been. Example: the announcement Monday of a $10.2 million project to consolidate seven buildings – up to seventy years old – into one…MORE

New information about the deadly Amazon warehouse collapse last year in Edwardsville

New information about the deadly Amazon warehouse collapse last year in Edwardsville

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – An engineer whose job with the government is to respond to such things has critical new information about the deadly Amazon warehouse collapse last year. Attorney Jack Casciato of Clifford Law Firm in Chicago says the evidence is damning. “Within the last few weeks,” he told an online news conference,…MORE

Governor signs bill granting teachers unlimited paid sick leave for COVID

Governor signs bill granting teachers unlimited paid sick leave for COVID

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Unlimited sick time for covid-related reasons, a new law Gov. JB Pritzker signed for educators, is a godsend for Angela Bulger of O’Fallon. “As a new employee, I am allotted eleven sick days,” said Bulger, an aide. “Without this legislation, any additional days missed because of covid would mean a…MORE

City of Bloomington offering free mulch for community

City of Bloomington offering free mulch for community

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON- The City of Bloomington has a vast surplus of mulch available free for the public. “Recent trimming and tree maintenance have produced a vast surplus of mulch,” said Dave Lamb, City Forester and Assistant Superintendent of Parks, adding “We are happy to provide this service for the community.” There are two…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…