Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Durbin reacts to FBI raid on former president Donald Trump’s Florida estate

Durbin reacts to FBI raid on former president Donald Trump’s Florida estate

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is defending the FBI’s raid on former president Donald Trump’s Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. “I feel certain, not knowing any details directly, that they wouldn’t have taken an historic and monumental step without thoughtful consideration and checking all the boxes,” Durbin said at an unrelated news…MORE

Death investigation on Bloomington’s west side

Death investigation on Bloomington’s west side

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A person was found dead Tuesday afternoon inside a parked car on Bloomington’s west side. Bloomington Police were called around 12:45 p.m. to the 1100 block of West Front Street. No other information is being released at this time and BPD detectives are still probing the incident. Anyone with information…MORE

New bill is “green,” say supporters

New bill is “green,” say supporters

The bill which kept senators busy in Washington all weekend, and which only passed with the Vice President casting a tie-breaking vote, is a big win for the environment, says Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.MORE

Pritzker asked about police unions’ endorsements of Bailey for governor

Pritzker asked about police unions’ endorsements of Bailey for governor

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As so often happens, the newsmakers show up at an event, and the reporters’ questions are about something different. Monday was no exception. Indiana’s solidifying abortion restrictions, causing major employers Eli Lilly and Cummins to wonder how much more business they want to do there. Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot would…MORE

State and Chicago Fraternal Order of Police endorse Bailey for governor

State and Chicago Fraternal Order of Police endorse Bailey for governor

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Republicans for governor and attorney general in Illinois picked up some police union endorsements Monday. The Chicago and state Fraternal Order of Police are backing Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) for governor. “If you think crime in Illinois is bad now,” said Bailey, “what in the world is it going…MORE

Governor picks criminal justice instructor to serve on ISU’s governing board

Governor picks criminal justice instructor to serve on ISU’s governing board

By 25 News NORMAL – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced he’s naming an Illinois State University graduate to fill one of the vacant positions on the school’s governing board. The Illinois Senate has yet to confirm Anthony Byrd’s appointment to ISU’s Board of Trustees. Byrd is an adjunct criminal justice instructor for Lindenwood University…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…