Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Unit 5 working on vaccination clinics for children ages 5 through 11

Unit 5 working on vaccination clinics for children ages 5 through 11

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – McLean County’s largest school district is working with a local hospital to offer COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 5-11. Unit 5 Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle says the district is partnering with Carle BroMenn to offer those vaccines. She spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Last time I heard we had over…MORE

Illinois’ economy took a small step back during October

Illinois’ economy took a small step back during October

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ economy took a small step back during October. University of Illinois Flash index author Fred Giertz, an economics professor, presents a monthly snapshot of the state’s economic activity. The index slipped from 106.0 to 105.4 from the start of October to the start of November. Giertz sees two reasons.…MORE

Six Unit 5 employees suing district over COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Six Unit 5 employees suing district over COVID-19 vaccine mandate

By HOI ABC NORMAL – Claiming unfair treatment and violation of their collective bargaining agreement, some Unit 5 employees are suing the district’s school board over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. A more-than-150-page document filed with the court in Woodford County is led by six Unit 5 employees, two of whom – according to the report…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…