By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Heartland Community College opened a new plaza dedicated to former president Rob Widmer and his family. The college held a ceremony Wednesday in front of the Community Commons Building at the main campus in Normal where the plaza is located. It honors former HCC President Rob Widmer’s tenure with the…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – The Unit 5 school board voted Wednesday night to approve the Secure Storage Solution which will provide information to families and students about gun safety. Information will now be in the student handbook on how to safely store a gun. Superintendent Kristen Weikle adds providing this information may help with…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – If your child is in school, it’s likely his or her teacher is a white woman. So the Illinois State Board of Education is trying to make the faculty look more like the student body. Teacher mentors will convene teachers of color into “affinity groups” around the state, ISBE’s executive…… MORE
The day after the second and final debate for the gubernatorial campaign Tuesday, State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) allowed himself a victory lap. He greeted supporters Wednesday at the Pizza Ranch, a Springfield buffet.… MORE
The top brass at the Illinois Manufacturing Association reports manufacturing is booming in McLean county – but around the state, not so much.… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is urging eligible borrowers to fill out the newly released application for student debt relief. To qualify, borrowers must be under set income thresholds and have a federal pell grant or one of several federal loans. ISAC spokesperson Lynn Baker says everyone who thinks they…… MORE
By Dave Dahl CHICAGO – It’s impossible to tell whether any minds were changed during Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate, the second and final statewide debate put on by Nexstar Broadcasting and aired on its stations around the state, including WMBD Channel 31 in the Bloomington area. When asked what he believes the phrase “Black lives matter”…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The pandemic brought disparities in health care into a harsh spotlight, says Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Sameer Vohra. Help is on the way, he adds, in the form of $3.7 million in federal funds going to eighteen groups trying to close the gap. Selena Stegeman of Quincy…… MORE
Bloomington Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying three suspects in a local theft case.… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – The Normal Town Council narrowly agreed Monday night to favor hometown Rivian Automotive by purchasing two electric vehicles without going through the formal bidding process. The town won’t advertise for bids, which typically enable taxpayers to get the lowest possible price for major government purchases. The council’s vote was 4-3…… 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…