By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) says Congress must pass an infrastructure bill, and crumbling roads and unsafe bridges are only part of the reason. “We can’t get grain down the Mississippi River fast enough to the southeastern parts of the United States,” Duckworth said. “States like South Carolina and Georgia…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – The Sugar Creek Arts Festival is this Saturday and Sunday in Uptown Normal and the event requires several street closures. “No Parking” signs will be posted at 2 a.m. on Fri, Oct. 8 on Constitution Boulevard and at noon on the following streets and parking lots. They will all close…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Leaders of the national watchdog group Common Cause got a taste of how Illinois does redistricting, and the group’s Illinois leader did not paint a pretty picture. Jay Young recounted for an online news conference Wednesday how state Democratic lawmakers did not wait for U.S. Census numbers, then had to…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Republicans say it’s far past time for Illinois to get tough on crime. During a Zoom news conference Wednesday, lawmakers trained their sights directly at the supermajority Democrats. “Senate President (Don) Harmon (D-Oak Park) has said he has nothing on his list that is that important to do…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Chamber of Commerce has hosted two job fairs over the last few months, but local businesses are still trying to fill more positions. Chamber President and CEO Charlie Moore says if you missed either job fair you can still find openings on the chamber’s website – mcleancochamber.org.…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Another McLean County resident has died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the number of lives lost to 263 since the start of the pandemic. The McLean County Health Department says it was a man in his 80s not associated with a long-term care facility. Local health officials Wednesday reported 56 new…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The lawyer for several Bloomington homeowners said it’s “very likely” he’ll file a lawsuit against the city government for not compensating his clients after sewage contaminated their property during last June’s floods. Attorney William Mahrt said he’s received a letter from the law firm representing the city informing him there…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Illinois State University is holding a memorial service for Jelani Day at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 7, at Hancock Stadium. The Multicultural Center is collecting cards and condolences for Jelani’s family until noon on October 7. All gifts will be presented to the family upon their arrival. The rain location for the…… MORE
By Neil Doyle PONTIAC – Livingston County health officials say a second bird has tested positive for West Nile Virus. According to a news release Wednesday, the bird was located in Pontiac. The health department says no human cases have been reported this year in Livingston County. To date, there are 43 counties in Illinois…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Life is not easy for older Illinoisans who are in the LGBTQ community. AARP Illinois advocacy and outreach manager Mary Anderson says a study her organization conducted along with SAGE – an advocacy group for older LGBTQ adults – is unique. “And the findings are staggering,” Anderson told an online…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…