The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds people to get their annual flu shot.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
State Sen. Barickman working with Illinois Opportunity Project to launch recall provision
Here’s a chance to tell your elected officials, “You’re Fired!” without waiting for the next election. … MORE
Warm and dry this past week for Illinois farmers
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 19, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 73.2 degrees, 7.0 above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.18 inches, 0.71 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 27 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 1 percent…… MORE
State officials announce $327 million in household assistance for low income families
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – “Help is here,” said State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), hosting the governor’s big announcement in Peoria Monday. A record “$327 million is no small amount of money,” said Gordon-Booth. “And if we just think a few short eighteen months ago, we had no idea what the next eighteen months from…… MORE
Normal council approves truck stop and variance for sign to soar above I-55
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Elected leaders have given final government approval for a Love’s truck stop and RV park in north Normal, and builders are also being allowed to put up a sign that’s much higher than permitted in the town’s code. The Normal Town Council approved plans to rezone 30.5 acres of farmland to…… MORE
Man hospitalized in critical condition after Sunday morning shooting in Normal
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A man shot multiple times this weekend outside an apartment complex in north Normal is in critical condition, Normal Police said Monday. Normal Police Assistant Chief Steve Petrilli confirmed to our news partner HOI ABC a man in his 20’s, who is not a resident of McLean County, is being treated…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker: “Encourage your friends and family to be vaccinated”
Nearly 26,000 new and probable cases of COVID-19 infection are being reported over the past week.… MORE
Tazewell County woman sentenced to 75 years in prison for child’s murder
A Tazewell County woman has been sentenced to 75 years after being found guilty of beating and murdering her boyfriend’s four-year-old son.… MORE
Town of Normal starts search for new developer after Bush Development exits Trail East project
Town of Normal is looking for a new developer after Bush Development LLC, an Iowa-based developer, has backed out of the Trail East project.… MORE
U.S. Sen. Durbin calling on Illinoisans to get vaccinated
Helping host U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) at a parking-lot vaccination clinic, Sangamon County Board of Health president Dr. Brian Miller said the pandemic could have been far worse once Delta arrived.… 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…