By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Horse racing fans upset over losing the Arlington International Racecourse – potentially to a new stadium for the Bears – may have hope. To hear former Arlington president Roy Arnold tell it, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. “There is absolutely no reason why you can’t have…… MORE
By HOI ABC SPRINGFIELD – As production of electric vehicles begins at the Rivian plant in Normal, governors from Illinois and four other states announced Thursday they’re working together to speed up building the infrastructure needed to charge those vehicles throughout the region. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and chief executives from Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and…… MORE
Since Wednesday, the McLean County Health Department reports 64 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
The deadline is approaching for small businesses to apply for state recovery grants.… MORE
Gov. JB Pritzker says he’d be disappointed if the Chicago Bears moved out of the city.… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Government officials have removed a painting of the late Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day from the site of a much-talked about mural in Uptown Normal, but a spokesperson said the town is working with ISU to find an alternative site for the work. An anonymous artist created the…… MORE
Authorities investigating the death of Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day said Wednesday they have ruled out a young man as a person of interest in the case.… MORE
The Town of Normal is reminding residents of options available for water bill repayment and assistance.… MORE
By Blake Haas TAZEWELL COUNTY – The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying recent thefts of multiple stop signs in the county. During the week of May 19, Heritage Lake reported eight stop signs and poles, one speed “bump ahead,” and the large decorative Heritage Lake entrance sign was…… MORE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine.… 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…