Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations to shine a light on businesses in the twin cities.… MORE
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Brady continues to weigh options for statewide office
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A local lawmaker has been weighing his options the last few months about a run for statewide office. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has been exploring the idea of running for Illinois Secretary of State. Current Secretary of State Jesse White, a Democrat, has held the office since 1998, but…… MORE
Repeal of parental notification law has rolled out of the Illinois Senate
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ law requiring parents to be notified if their daughter is getting an abortion may not be on the books much longer. A proposed repeal has passed the Senate and moves to the House. All Republicans joined State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) in voting against. “The parental notification, thankfully, saves…… MORE
WNBA’s Chicago Sky honored at the state capitol
Yellow and light blue banners adorned the Illinois House chamber Tuesday afternoon … as lawmakers took time out from the debates of veto session to salute the Chicago Sky – the WNBA champions.… MORE
Travel at CIRA has been mostly leisure
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Even with kids back in school, travel was steady last month at Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. CIRA deputy director of marketing Fran Strebing says passenger traffic last month was at 88% of what it was in 2019. She spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “It’s a little bit of…… MORE
Bus driver shortage across the nation
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Many school districts are looking for more bus drivers, and that includes Unit 5. Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle says the district’s vendor First Student has been hiring since the summer and is offering more incentives to attract new drivers. Weikle spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “They’ve increased their hiring bonuses…… MORE
Town of Normal asks residents to help prioritize COVID-19 recovery
The Town of Normal is launching a survey to get feedback from residents in order to help prioritize investment areas to address related to the impact of COVID-19 and recovery.… MORE
Uptown Normal road closures for Sugar Creek Arts Festival
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – The Sugar Creek Arts Festival is this Saturday and Sunday in Uptown Normal and the event requires several street closures. “No Parking” signs will be posted at 2 a.m. on Fri, Oct. 8 on Constitution Boulevard and at noon on the following streets and parking lots. They will all close…… MORE
MCHD reports another COVID-related death, 303 new cases over the past week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Another McLean County resident has died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the number of lives lost to 263 since the start of the pandemic. The McLean County Health Department says it was a man in his 80s not associated with a long-term care facility. Local health officials Wednesday reported 56 new…… MORE
BPD probing shots fired on east side
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are investigating a shots fired incident from the over the weekend on the city’s east side. Authorities were called Saturday around 11:15 p.m. to the area of Willedrob Road. When officers arrived, they located evidence that a shooting had occurred. Officers also learned that gunfire had struck an…… 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…