The COVID vaccine for kids ages 5-11 is on its way.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
State leaders launch Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force
There’s now a Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force in the Illinois House. The chairman, State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), said it’s serious business.… MORE
MCHD reports two additional COVID-related deaths; 95 new cases since Friday
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Two more McLean County residents have died from COVID-19 since Friday. The McLean County Health Department reports the latest deaths are one male in his 50’s, who was not associated with a long-term care facility, and one male in his 70’s who was associated with a long-term care facility. In…… MORE
Severe weather hit parts of central and southern Illinois Sunday
By RFD Radio BLOOMINGTON – An active weather pattern hit parts of central and southern Illinois on Sunday. “Numerous reports of severe weather in the form of a few tornadoes as well as some wind damage and large hail,” said Freese-Notis meteorologist Dan Hicks. “Locally heavy rainfall occurred across a large part of the Midwest.…… MORE
Illinois gas prices continue to rise
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in the state continue to go up. According to GasBuddy, prices are up about 8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.50 a gallon. Gas prices in Illinois are 23 cents higher than a month ago and stand $1.30 more expensive compared to this time last…… MORE
Labor shortage in the mental health profession
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Behavioral health. Addiction treatment. Professionals in these fields are harder to find. “Historically, when we have lost staff, we have lost staff to our partners in the law enforcement realm,” Joel Johnson, CEO of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), told a Senate committee. “Typically, we lose staff to better-paying…… MORE
Mayor nominates Downtown Bloomington business owner to fill Carrillo’s Ward 6 seat
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe said Friday he’s nominating a downtown business owner to fill the vacant Ward 6 city council seat. De Urban is owner of Alley Kats Art and Antiques, and must win majority council approval to fill the seat formerly held by Jenn Carrillo, who resigned because she…… MORE
Former Pekin piano teacher found guilty of child porn and sexual assault
A central Illinois man accused of sexually assaulting his piano students has been found guilty on all 20 counts.… MORE
HCC recognized during Manufacturing Month in Illinois
By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday presented a proclamation recognizing Heartland Community College and regional manufacturing partners for their key role in preparing the Illinois workforce for advanced manufacturing careers. The governor presented the proclamation to Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille. Earlier this month, the state kicked off Manufacturing Month…… MORE
Your natural gas bill might be going up by 35 percent this winter
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As the mercury goes down, the costs go up. Citizens Utility Board executive director David Kolata told a Facebook Live audience Thursday, “Our natural gas heating system is increasingly unaffordable. It really isn’t sustainable on environmental grounds, but it isn’t sustainable on economic grounds, either. It is driving large parts…… 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…