By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed a package of new laws Thursday to help protect the mental health and physical wellbeing of first responders in Illinois. The measures address the ongoing problem of drivers not paying attention when approaching a vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road by clarifying…… MORE
A man remains jailed on a high bond after a McLean County Grand Jury indicted him on charges he sexually assaulted a child.… MORE
A Central Illinois lawmaker is “disappointed” his no longer on the January 6th commission to investigate the deadly capital insurrection.… MORE
A popular Central Illinois drive-in theater is closed until further notice after Gibson City received historic levels of rain.… MORE
The McLean County Health Department reports the rolling 7-day positivity rate is increasing, as county health officials report 48 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Samsung is considering Normal as a location to build a new battery plant, which would be located near Rivian, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). “The delegation came in from Korea this week. I spoke to them and others did as well,” Durbin told reporters on Thursday. “This…… MORE
By WJBC Staff SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching a new immunization portal, Vax Verify, that will allow Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record. “As more businesses, events, organizations, and others require proof of vaccination, Illinois residents will be able to confirm using Vax Verify…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The Back 2 School Alliance held its annual backpack drive Wednesday and distributed free bags and school supplies to Unit 5 and District 87 students. The annual event provides backpacks and supplies to students who qualify for free or reduced lunches, which is around 33% of kids in Bloomington-Normal…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Eight hundred pounds of salted Illinois butter – some of it “recycled” – make up a blue-ribbon cow, cuddled by the child who, presumably, raised and showed her. Illinois State Fair officials, led by Gov. JB Pritzker, unveiled the cow Wednesday afternoon, the day before the opening of the 2021…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A sagging tax base is cited as a major reason McLean County’s second largest school system is projecting a $5.3 million deficit. Like other public schools. property taxes are the largest source of revenue for District 87, which estimates taxable land values will shrink by .475% even though Superintendent Barry…… 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…