Category Archives: Uncategorized

Police conducting traffic enforcement details on Gridley Blacktop

Police conducting traffic enforcement details on Gridley Blacktop

By Neil Doyle MCLEAN COUNTY – The McLean County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting traffic enforcement details in the northern part of the county. In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office says the traffic enforcement will be on the Gridley Blacktop, 1925 East Road and County Hwy. 29, between Gridley and Towanda. “We’d much rather…MORE

House lawmakers trade words about the LGBTQ community

House lawmakers trade words about the LGBTQ community

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A champion swimmer and a woman whose body was pulled from Lake Michigan a few days ago have two things in common: they are transgender, and they were brought up on the floor of the Illinois House Tuesday. State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) said the acceptance of transgenderism, including allowing…MORE

LeRoy PD implements Amazon Drop Box for community members

LeRoy PD implements Amazon Drop Box for community members

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-The LeRoy Police Department has announced the installation of an Amazon hub locker at it’s facility. That mean’s those worried about having items stolen off the porch can rest easy knowing they can pick up orders in the safest space in town. LeRoy Sergeant Nathan Wilkin’s said the locker doesn’t take up…MORE

Illinois gas prices hold steady over the week

Illinois gas prices hold steady over the week

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Average gasoline prices in Illinois are unchanged over the last week, averaging $4.58 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. While gas prices remained the same over the week, GasBuddy says prices are 91 cents higher than a month ago and $1.58 more expensive than a year ago. According to GasBuddy price…MORE

Illinois driver’s license and ID card expiration dates extended

Illinois driver’s license and ID card expiration dates extended

By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits are being extended until July 31. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits, according to a news release. Customers who must visit a facility include…MORE

Family Relief Plan issued by Gov Pritzker aimed at initiating tax breaks

Family Relief Plan issued by Gov Pritzker aimed at initiating tax breaks

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Governor JB Pritzker is touting his Family Relief Plan since his annual budget address on Wednesday. Thanks to a $1.7 billion surplus in the current state budget, he’s proposing one billion dollars in tax breaks for Illinois residents. One of those tax breaks is a one year suspension of the state tax…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…