Temperatures are on the rise across Central Illinois, and leaving a dog in a hot car could mean a death sentence for the animal.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
McLean County Sheriff: still waiting to transfer prisoners
The McLean County Sheriff has a message for the Illinois Department of Corrections: take your prisoners.… MORE
Free concert series coming to Downtown Bloomington
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A new concert series is coming to Downtown Bloomington next month. The Saturdays on the Square series will bring nationally touring acts to perform free, family-friendly concerts on the museum square from 6-10 p.m. “I’m so excited about the upcoming concert events in Bloomington’s downtown,” said Bloomington City Manager…… MORE
CIRA joins Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A local airport is now offering a customer service program designed to assist travelers and visitors with hidden disabilities. Central Illinois Regional Airport Deputy Director Fran Strebing spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, you wear this lanyard and it just kind of helps you as you…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker announces state government offices closed Friday for new federal Juneteenth holiday
With President Joe Biden signing legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021, Gov. JB Pritzker announced that state government offices will be closed Friday, June 18 in accordance with the new federal law.… MORE
Governor announces new COVID-19 vaccine lottery
The state is announcing a new COVID-19 vaccination lottery with $10 million in prizes.… MORE
Clinton Police charge Lincoln man with multiple counts of burglary
A Lincoln man remains behind bars in DeWitt County on multiple burglary charges after Clinton Police say he allegedly broke into storage units.… MORE
Board approves $23.4 million for new agriculture building at Heartland Community College
Add agriculture to the list of growing fields at Heartland Community College in Normal.… MORE
Over 28,000 passengers through CIRA last month
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Central Illinois Regional Airport reported much stronger passenger numbers last month. CIRA Deputy Director Fran Strebing says 28,885 people entered the airport in May, which is their highest number this year. “Better news even is that it’s creeping back to 2019 levels,” Strebing told WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Not there yet,…… MORE
IDPH reports first mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus
By Neil Doyle SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed the first mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus this year. The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collected a positive mosquito batch on June 9 from Skokie, Illinois in Cook County. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported…… 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…