A Dialogue On Race Begins With Police In Bloomington-Normal
NORMAL – On Saturday, a diverse group of around 60 people gathered in the parking lot of CrossFit Bloomington-Normal to have a conversation about race. Called “The Community Unification Project,” the event was organized by CrossFit owner Chad Hobbs in coordination with the Normal Police Department (NPD). The crowd then broke into smaller discussion groups with a reminder from Hobbs: “I don’t like cancel culture. I’m a big fan of keeping people in the network,” he said. Hobbs encouraged the groups, each of which comprised a mix of community members and Normal police officers, to speak openly, without fear of reprisal. The point of the event, he said, was to bring people together in face-to-face conversation. – Sarah Nardi – WGLT
Fallout From The Pandemic Blows A $700M Hole In Chicago’s Budget
CHICAGO – Chicago is now facing a $700 million budget shortfall this year due to the COVID-19 economic downturn, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot acknowledged Tuesday that “2021 isn’t looking great, either.” Budget officials released the new projected 2020 deficit after reviewing the numbers from March and April, when most of Illinois’ economy and amusements were shut down to slow the spread of coronavirus. Lightfoot said tax revenue from hotels, restaurants and other large events tanked while the stay-at-home orders were in place. – Becky Vevea, WBEZ
Bradley Athletes Commit To Fight For Racial Justice
PEORIA – Dozens of Bradley University student athletes staged a peaceful demonstration Tuesday night, protesting racial injustice and inequality. Nearly 100 players, coaches, family members, and university administrators marched from Bradley’s Renaissance Coliseum down Main Street to the Peoria Civic Center, where they held a brief rally in memory of George Floyd. Sophomore Terry Nolan Jr. of the Bradley Braves men’s basketball team reflected on how he felt watching Floyd’s funeral processions that afternoon. “As I watching it, the word ‘moment’ kept coming to my mind. ‘Moment.’ We can’t allow George Floyd’s moment of death to just be a moment. We need his moment to catapult our movement,” Nolan said. – Dana Vollmer, WCBU
Department Receives $4.9 Million For Contact Tracing
ROCKFORD – The Winnebago County Health Department has received a sum of money from the federal government to improve its contact tracing efforts. Public Health Administrator Sandra Martell said $4.9 million will go toward hiring 51 temporary full-time employees for the effort. She says there will be a variety of positions, including clerks, disease investigation specialists, and epidemiologists. Dedicated teams will address long-term care facilities, congregate settings, and other areas such as schools and childcare centers. The Department hopes to have the positions filled by June 30th. – Chase Cavanaugh, WNIJ
