Are cellphones a useful tool or a distraction in the classroom? According to Gov. JB Pritzker, they’re a distraction, and he has proposed banning them during classroom instruction. … MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
With electricity price spikes coming, environmental and industry groups pitch reform
By ANDREW ADAMSCapitol News [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Illinois faces potential energy shortfalls and all-but-guaranteed price spikes for northern Illinois this summer, consumer and environmental advocates say. Lawmakers and advocates in Springfield have proposed bills that they say would address their concerns — but it’s unclear whether they’re likely to pass by the General Assembly’s expected…… MORE
Central Illinoisan to represent country at Special Olympics
There will be a Special Olympian from central Illinois this year.… MORE
Normal aproves Capital Investment Budget for 2025-26 fiscal year
The Town of Normal is seeing cuts due to concerns with their revenue streams.… MORE
Judge grants retrial on most bribery counts in ‘ComEd 4’ case nearly 2 years post-verdict
A federal judge on Monday granted a partial retrial on several bribery counts in the case of four former executives and lobbyists for electric utility Commonwealth Edison who were convicted in 2023 for their roles in bribing longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.… MORE
Accused Highland Park shooter pleads guilty
Robert Crimo III, the man accused of carrying out a mass shooting in Highland Park in 2022 that left seven people dead and prompted the passage of a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines in Illinois, pleaded guilty Monday to all charges stemming from that shooting.… MORE
Bloomington mayoral candidates answer questions at student-led panel
With less than a month until the April 1 consolidated election, candidates for Bloomington mayor explained their positions in front of a student panel.… MORE
Women accused of giving Zzzquil to infant set for late March trial
Two women, accused of murder in connection with the death of a 13-month-old boy, are scheduled for trial in late March.… MORE
Pontiac man in custody for allegedly shooting a car
A 19-year-old Pontiac man was arrested late Thursday for allegedly shooting at a vehicle.… MORE
Home Sweet Home Ministries propose 50-cabin village for unhoused in Bloomington
A Bloomington nonprofit wants to use a Connect Transit property to build cabins for people experiencing homelessness.… 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…