State lawmakers on the Illinois Property Tax Relief Task Force say they’re getting closer to offering up final recommendations to lower the state’s second-highest in the nation property tax burden.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
President Donald Trump slams Illinois’ sanctuary status, issues executive order to study crime
President Donald Trump took issue with Illinois’ and Chicago’s sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants during a speech at the annual convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.… MORE
Illinois poised to be second state to allow endorsement deals for college athletes
Illinois could become the second state to allow college athletes to get a shoe deal. … MORE
Illinois House leaders threaten action if state Rep. Luis Arroyo won’t resign after bribery charge
Leaders from both parties called for stricter ethical rules after a state lawmaker was charged with corruption for allegedly trying to bribe an unnamed state senator to back gambling legislation that would have benefited a client of his private lobbying firm.… MORE
ISU launching competitive esports program
Illinois State University is launching a competitive esports program starting next fall.… MORE
NPD: Uber suspends driver during attempted rape investigation
An Uber driver is banned from picking up passengers while Normal Police investigate him for an alleged rape attempt.… MORE
Pot sales debate shifts to Bloomington Planning Commission
The Bloomington City Council is starting a public hearing process before deciding if recreational cannabis businesses should operate in the city.… MORE
No jail time for former arena director
The former director of Bloomington’s downtown arena won’t have to go to jail for stealing money from city government. However, Curtis Webb still faces charges for a similar crime that happened when he managed a Minnesota arena.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers call for ethics task force after news of Arroyo
Any idea this would be a quiet veto session disappeared before the chambers even gaveled in, with news that yet another state lawmaker is in trouble with the law.… MORE
President Trump: ‘Afghanistan is safer than Chicago’ at Chicago event
President Donald Trump said gun violence in Chicago was embarrassing to the nation and that Afghanistan was a safer place because of sanctuary city laws on Monday during a speech to law enforcement leaders.… 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…