A 19-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday to murder in connection with a 2023 deadly shooting in Funks Grove.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
New report finds project labor agreements lower costs, boost competition in Illinois
After a major Biden-era executive order mandating the vast majority of federal construction projects use project labor agreements suffered an initial loss in federal court this winter, a new report analyzing the use of these agreements in Illinois is refuting typical criticisms from opponents who claim they unfairly favor unionized labor.… MORE
Durbin, Pritzker put pressure on Republicans to oppose cuts to key programs
Voters must put pressure on congressional Republicans to oppose any budget bill that makes major cuts to services, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.… MORE
Detroit man identified as pedestrian in deadly I-55 crash near Shirley
The McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder has identified the pedestrian killed during a crash on Interstate 55 Thursday.… MORE
ISU faculty union votes to authorize strike for fair pay
Members of the United Faculty of ISU overwhelmingly approved an authorization to strike, in voting that ended at noon Friday.… MORE
Pedestrian killed in crash on I-55 in McLean County
The McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder said a pedestrian is dead after a crash on I-55 on Thursday.… MORE
Pritzker’s community college initiative stalls in House committee
One of Gov. JB Pritzker’s top legislative initiatives stalled in the General Assembly this week when the chair of the House Higher Education Committee refused to call a vote on a bill that would authorize community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degree programs in select, high-demand career fields.… MORE
YWCA invites community to reentry simulation
The community is invited to participate in a reentry simulation on Thursday.… MORE
Bloomington Housing Fair provides resources for all housing needs
In the same place you can get a cup of coffee or a new pair of shoes, people at a local mall were given something you don’t see everyday.… MORE
Soldier’s remains returning to Bloomington after 81 years
The remains of a Bloomington soldier are returning home after more than 80 years.… 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…