Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit in early look at upcoming fiscal year

Pritzker’s budget office projects $3.2B deficit in early look at upcoming fiscal year

Despite string of recent surpluses, report could foreshadow challenging budget year By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News [email protected]  The first extensive public look at next year’s state finances contains a warning to lawmakers from the governor’s office: “The ability to fund new programs will be severely limited” next fiscal year.    That comes from the Governor’s Office of…MORE

Tri-Valley Vikings survive Saints in round one of IHSA football playoffs

Tri-Valley Vikings survive Saints in round one of IHSA football playoffs

By Jake Fogal DOWNS – Tri-Valley and Central Catholic are separated by nine miles in Central Illinois, but don’t meet very often despite the short distance between the two schools. Last time these two teams met came back in 2016, when Tri-Valley beat the Saints 28-6. The two Class 2A schools met again in Round…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…