By Neil Doyle SPRINGFIELD – The first $100,000 Monday drawing as part of the state’s ‘All In for the Win’ vaccine lottery has taken place, and three winners have been chosen. The Illinois Department of Public Health will be notifying winners by phone or email and the three winners are from Springfield, Quincy, and Chicago. Last…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Connect Transit has named David Braun as its next general manager. Braun replaces Isaac Thorne who resigned in August of 2020 to take a similar job in Knoxville, Tennessee. Former Normal City Manager Mark Peterson has been serving as the interim general manager since last November and will stay on…… MORE
At the end of May, legislators in Springfield were able to preserve the biodiesel sales tax exemption, in what the top leader of the soybean association says will help farmers all across the state.… MORE
The Tazewell County woman accused of murder in her boyfriend’s 4-year-old son’s death has been found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated abuse of a child.… MORE
Parents — especially parents of babies — you’ll want to pay attention here.… MORE
After the holiday weekend, gas prices across the state are on the decline.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The timing of governor’s signing of a new law mandating Asian-American history be taught in Illinois classrooms is no coincidence. While the discussion has been ongoing, “it occurred to us that this was the best way for us to respond to the rise in anti-Asian hate and xenophobia that…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon was optimistic going into 2020, following the success of the last fair. “We had a very successful year,” Gordon said. “We set records for concert tickets sold, concert ticket revenue, and then overall revenue here at the fair. I think we brought in…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – After historic flooding across the area, the McLean County Emergency Management Agency is opening a Multi-Agency Resource Center, or MARC. The MARC will open Saturday, July 17th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday July 18th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A location is still being confirmed. Officials from…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council is being asked to approve a workers compensation settlement with a police officer who was unable to return to work after an on-duty knee injury he suffered three years ago. The staff’s report to the council said the proposed settlement calls for Luke Maurer to receive a…… 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…