Two people from Central Illinois face charges after a high-speed chase in McLean County a few weeks ago.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
ISU celebrating 100 years of homecoming
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State University is celebrating 100 years of homecoming with plenty of events throughout the week leading up to the football game Saturday afternoon against North Dakota State. On Saturday morning, the “Town and Gown 5K” is making its return in a hybrid format this year. Rachel Kobus is the…… MORE
Decades-old unsolved murder weighs heavily on Bloomington’s new police chief
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s new police chief revealed more about his background Monday while speaking publicly for the first time to the city council. Jamal Simington said he understands first-hand the impact of violent crime. Simington said his father was shot to death in 1975 in a killing that remains unsolved. “That experience…… MORE
MCHD reports 98 new cases of COVID-19; the positivity rate declines to 4.3%
Since Friday, the McLean County Health Department is reporting 98 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
Gas prices in Illinois up 10 cents over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have risen 10 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.44 a gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at $3.09 while the most expensive is $3.99. Gas prices in the state are 19 cents higher than a month ago…… MORE
Heartland to host COVID vaccination clinics
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Heartland Community College will host two vaccination clinics on campus for students, employees, and the general public. Heartland will hold vaccination clinics on Monday, October 18 and Tuesday, October 26 from 10:00am-3:00pm in the Student Commons Building on the main Heartland campus in Normal, 1500 West Raab Road. More information…… MORE
Can President Biden’s decisions on COVID stand up in court?
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Can President Biden’s decisions on COVID stand up in court? A University of Illinois expert says … mostly. Professor Michael LeRoy, who specializes in labor and employment law, has studied the history of executive orders, all the way back to the first one, by President Martin Van Buren. “It pertained…… MORE
Fairbury officer is home recovering after a traffic crash in Livingston County
By HOI ABC FAIRBURY – A Fairbury police officer is recovering at home after a high-speed chase Friday night. Officer Gary Lisewski was involved in the accident that sent three people to the hospital, according to Fairbury Police Department. In a Facebook post, police said his squad car rolled over several times and he was…… MORE
Bloomington awaits groundbreaking for $75 million Ferrero chocolate factory
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington is celebrating construction of a chocolate factory with a groundbreaking ceremony this coming week. In November of last year, international candy maker Ferrero announced its plant at 2501 Beich Road would be the site of Ferrero’s first North American chocolate factory. It has two chocolate-making factories…… MORE
Jelani Day remembered for his intelligence amid calls for justice
By HOI ABC NORMAL – The search for Jelani Day has turned to a search for justice after the Illinois State University graduate student was found dead last month in LaSalle County, Day’s mother told mourners attending a memorial service Thursday at ISU’s Redbird Arena. During the nearly two-hour service, Carmen Bolden Day reiterated her…… 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…