Lawmakers are considering legalizing a controversial medical practice that proponents say could ease suffering for the terminally ill. … MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Financial impacts of federal action stir anxiety for Illinois farmers
The effects of President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs on allies and rivals are yet to be seen, but farmers in Illinois are bracing for their impact – even as they wait years for Congress to pass long-term federal spending legislation.… MORE
Normal Police investigating shooting incident
The Normal Police Department is investigating a shooting incident that occurred near Orlando Avenue and Northbrook Drive on Thursday.… MORE
State cracks down on Chicago gas utility as other utilities ask for rate increase
State regulators on Thursday ordered Chicago’s natural gas utility, Peoples Gas, to abandon its approach to a long-beleaguered pipeline replacement program. Consumer advocates praised the decision, but the company said the decision could cost customers. … MORE
With a deadline approaching for U.S. citizens to obtain Real IDs, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging Illinois residents to “Get Real.”
With a deadline approaching for U.S. citizens to obtain Real IDs, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging Illinois residents to “Get Real.”… MORE
Referendum could lower property tax in McLean County
A referendum on the April 1 ballot could, at the same time, help support local schools and lower property taxes in the county.… MORE
Heartland Community College increasing tuition costs
Students at Heartland Community College will be paying more for their education after a Tuesday night decision.… MORE
City of Bloomington helps residents remove lead paint from their homes
According to the CDC, homes built before 1978 could have lead paint in them.… MORE
Black, Latino lawmakers criticize Pritzker’s proposed budget
Majority Party Democrats had mixed reactions to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address Wednesday, with leadership in the General Assembly offering praise amid criticisms from members of the legislature’s Black and Latino caucuses. … MORE
Former doctor pleads guilty to videotaping people in Peoria hospital bathroom
A former neurological surgery resident with the University of Illinois College of Medicine pleaded guilty to illegally videotaping people in bathrooms at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center.… 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…