By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – 2022 was a very good year for Illinois crops, so says the USDA. From its National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mark Schleusener says Illinois is Number One for soybeans, 63 bushels per acre. “NASS estimates the 2022 corn yield to be 214 bushels per acre. That is down one bushel from…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – It’s up to the local government whether Normal will soon get its second dispensary selling cannabis for recreational use. Normal’s Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing next Thursday, Jan. 19 to consider a special use permit for a dispensary where the Mandarin Garden Restaurant now stands on…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – With some states prosecuting people involved in abortions, a bill awaiting the governor’s action would provide some shelter. “There is language protecting patients from being charged out-of-network costs when a provider invokes the Health Care Right of Conscience Act,” said State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), the House sponsor. “It explicitly…… MORE
By 25 News PEORIA – The reported victim in a gang-related shooting a year ago in Bloomington is himself going to prison for trying to hide evidence in his mouth when he was in the hospital. U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid sentenced Javares Hudson, 22, of Bloomington to two-years and nine-months in a federal…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – State Farm Insurance has selected India-based HCLTech to assume its day-to-day IT help desk and infrastructure services work. Beginning this year, HCLTech will manage hardware, infrastructure software, and network connections support for State Farm, the insurer said. State Farm says it did not make this decision lightly. Both companies say employees at…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A history-soaked pair of inaugurations seated the 103rd Illinois General Assembly Wednesday in Springfield. Illinois’ first Black speaker of the House, Chris Welch (D-Hillside), took the oath of office a second time, as did the first woman to lead a caucus in the House, Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). The…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – In the face of a $12 million deficit, the McLean County Unit 5 school board has approved a ballot question to ask voters on increasing the tax rate – again. In November, Unit 5 voters decided not to increase taxes for the education fund, but the board says the feedback…… MORE
Illinois State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a semi and a motorcycle.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The assault weapons ban – which has the support of the House and Senate Democrats – was signed into law Tuesday night by Gov. JB Pritzker. Supermajority Democrats say it’s vital. “2023 has just barely begun but already there have been 1,151 gun violence deaths in our country,” said State…… MORE
High school basketball is underway, and Illinois High School Association members are looking at how some tournaments use the shot clock.… 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…