A Normal man remains behind bars as a result of a drug investigation.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly becomes chairwoman of the Illinois Democratic Party
The feds have signed off on a plan that lets U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) be chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois without doing a major part of the job. As a federal officeholder, Kelly cannot raise money at the state level. … MORE
HCC strongly encouraging COVID vaccination before the fall semester
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The COVID-19 delta variant is causing issues in different parts of the country, mainly for those who are not vaccinated. To help prevent any issues locally, Heartland Community College is strongly encouraging students and staff to get the shot before classes start next month. “We are hoping to encourage anyone who…… MORE
Amtrak will resume full service on Monday
By IIS Radio CHICAGO – Amtrak is resuming full service next week. Service levels had been cut in half during the pandemic, but will resume normal operations come Monday. Illinois Department of Transportation spokesperson Paul Wappel says there will be five daily trips between Chicago and St. Louis. “And that includes Amtrak national Texas Eagle…… MORE
Illinois’ legislative inspector general has had enough
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The office of legislative inspector general in Illinois does not have as much power as some would like. One of those people is the current inspector general, retired judge Carol Pope, who has submitted her resignation to the Legislative Ethics Commission. Pope called the position a “paper tiger.” “She is…… MORE
Corn Belt Energy Rate 11 interrupt canceled for Thursday
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Due to more rain in the forecast Thursday, Corn Belt Energy has decided to not interrupt electrical service for Rate 11 customers. Corn Belt was planning a shut off in power for those customers Thursday, but due to the expected wet conditions, it caused some concerns for sump pumps and…… MORE
Corn Belt Energy’s scheduled power interruption raises concerns from residents
Corn Belt Energy Rate 11 customers are concerned they will not have power for their sump pumps for Thursday’s predicted rain.… MORE
Corn Growers Director: Chemical plant explosion is going to hurt farmers in the fall
Harvest season is just around the corner, and the top leader of the Corn Growers Association, a fire in Northern Illinois this past June, will hurt farmers all across the state.… MORE
High-Tech vehicles gathering data on roads in Normal
High-Tech multi-function vehicles are on the roadways across the Twin-Cities to conduct a road assessment.… MORE
McLean County Health Department reports 54 new cases of COVID-19; two additional deaths
The McLean County reports an uptick in COVID-19 cases, as the county records two more COVID-19 related deaths in the past week.… 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…