WGLT's Sound Ideas

Route 66 centennial is not just a moment, but a movement for businesses leaning on its image

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:56:09 +0000

The 100th birthday of Route 66 is not lost on businesses and attractions who depend on it. In Lexington, Towanda, Atlanta and Normal, proprietors acknowledge the importance of the nostalgia-driven love for the Mother Road is not just a moment in its history, but a movement they are a part of.

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The Child's Play Fundstival is ready to take center stage in the Sam's Club parking lot

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:46:14 +0000

The Sam’s Club in Normal is getting ready to rock. The bulk grocery warehouse is hosting a “Fundstival” in support of the Children’s Miracle Network this weekend. The event is being put on by the Starving Artists Initiative and HomeGrown, IL, two Illinois organizations that work to connect Midwestern performers whilst supporting a variety of causes.

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Pesticide drift near Central Illinois school prompts calls for prior notification from farmers

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:19:36 +0000

A state lawmaker sponsored a bill to require farmers spraying pesticides near a school or park to send an email 72 hours in advance notifying when they would be applying the pesticides. WGLT's Evan Holden reports.

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Normal mayor addresses fire department planning, kratom and E-bike enforcement

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:58:06 +0000

Normal Mayor Chris Koos said he’s pleased the firefighters’ union is willing to have conversations about the fire service, and the future of the department outside of collective bargaining with the town.

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Al Oltmanns appointed artistic director of Heartland Theatre Company

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:26:49 +0000

Al Oltmanns is primed to take over at Heartland Theatre Company, replacing artistic director Rhys Lovell after more than a decade in the position and 37 years at the organization.

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Boiling mad and fearing an uncertain future, State Farm agents react to contract changes

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:29:22 +0000

Many State Farm agents said they feel angry and betrayed by the Bloomington-based company. Agents in two Western states, two Southern states and two on the East Coast reached out to WGLT after learning about changes State Farm will make to their contracts effective in 2028.

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Illinois lawmakers approve e-bike regulations with bipartisan support

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:26:12 +0000

Illinois lawmakers have passed legislation to regulate e-bikes to keep them from operating on sidewalks and to have statewide regulations for police to enforce. The bill passed with mostly bipartisan support in the final hours of the spring legislative session. It now goes to the governor's desk for his signature.

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McLean County’s first Mental Health Field Day makes self-care feel less intimidating

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:18:45 +0000

Face painting, bounce houses, free books and an ice cream truck aren’t the typical group of activities associated with mental health outreach. That was exactly the goal of McLean County’s first-ever Mental Health Field Day.

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History Maker Melinda Fischer points to teamwork in her winning career in softball

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 23:46:28 +0000

Retired ISU softball coach Melinda Fischer is one of this year's McLean County History Makers. She talked to WGLT about the "extraordinary people that have really made my journey so exciting and so valuable," and how she's spending her time since retiring.

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Rep. Sorensen says set rules for data centers, but don’t drive them away

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 23:26:59 +0000

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen doesn't want to block data centers from coming to Illinois. He also doesn't want them arriving without conditions and he's worried some data center developers will try to cut corners to get there.

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B-N electricity price spikes tied to general volatility and the Iran war

Sat, 30 May 2026 04:24:00 +0000

The electricity rate that Bloomington, Normal and other municipalities have negotiated for the coming year is NOT the best deal for consumers, according to an advocate who has run the numbers. That's unusual. In this Sound Ideas interview with WGLT's Charlie Schlenker, Bloomington City Manager Jeff Jurgens says it's not yet clear why the municipal aggregated rate is higher than the summer rate for Ameren this particular year.

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B-N gets roller skating back with pop-up Wheelz at the Interstate Center

Sat, 30 May 2026 04:11:34 +0000

A new pop-up called Wheelz is bringing roller skating back to Bloomington-Normal for the first time since Skate N Place closed in 2023.

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How Bloomington might build a long straw to a river to get more water

Fri, 29 May 2026 01:11:50 +0000

As the City of Bloomington considers how to get more water so it can grow over the next century, planners could look to the city of Joliet for an example.

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Midwest Punk Fest returns with a new home at Meltdown Creative Works

Fri, 29 May 2026 01:06:37 +0000

After a four-year hiatus, Midwest Punk Fest is back.
Dirty Rotten Revenge frontman Jeremy Plue launched the regional festival gathering punk and punk-adjacent bands in 2009 at a [now closed] little bar called Coconut Louie's.

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Ecology Action Center recommends opting out of electricity aggregation this year

Wed, 27 May 2026 21:39:02 +0000

The electricity rate that Bloomington, Normal and other municipalities have negotiated for the coming year is not the best deal for consumers, according to an advocate who has run the numbers.

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It’s a hard time to be a farmer. Many can struggle, but help is available

Wed, 27 May 2026 21:29:33 +0000

Farmers have one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S. of any occupation — more than three times higher than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. And in rural communities, suicide rates tend to be higher than in urban areas. With prices on the rise due to factors such as tariffs and the Iran war, it’s a challenging time for many U.S. farmers. Mental health initiatives, like the Farm Family Resource Center based in southern Illinois aim to help, which is good news to Mark Hortin, a corn and soybean farmer in Champaign County.

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Illinois Wesleyan ready to 'play offense' in approaching enrollment cliff

Wed, 27 May 2026 02:24:30 +0000

Illinois Wesleyan University is leaning into technology improvement and expansion as it moves toward the 2026-27 school year.

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Bloomington-Normal librarians support state legislation to end high prices on e-books

Wed, 27 May 2026 02:16:54 +0000

Libraries in Illinois are subject to normalized, unfair licensing agreements to circulate e-books and other digital content. That’s according to the directors of Bloomington and Normal’s public libraries, who said the agreements lead to high costs, long waitlists and limited offerings of that content.

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History Makers Art and Camille Taylor are married in life, advocacy and activism

Wed, 27 May 2026 02:08:09 +0000

Often seen at community protests, government meetings and local chapters of advocacy organizations is one married couple united in their passion for activism: Art and Camille Taylor. After a lifelong history of standing up for others [and standing up together at their 1994 wedding], the Taylors were recognized last month as History Makers by the McLean County Museum of History.

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Wood Hill Towers renamed for a longtime Bloomington Housing Authority leader

Wed, 27 May 2026 01:59:35 +0000

Wood Hill Towers in Bloomington will soon have a new name, honoring a longtime champion for public housing in the Twin Cities. The apartment complex south of Downtown Bloomington is being renamed the Holman-Short Towers, dedicated to former Bloomington Housing Authority Executive Director Kim Holman-Short's four-decade career with the agency.

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G.J. Lofts construction project underway at former State Farm building Downtown

Sat, 23 May 2026 04:31:28 +0000

The former State Farm building is a roughly 200,000-square-foot, 13-story pillar in historic Downtown Bloomington.
Justin Fern is one step closer to completing a full renovation of the building. Fern is founder and CEO of Urban Equity Properties [UEP], the Rockford-based company behind the planned G.J. Lofts.

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Ahead of Bloomington show, L.A. Guns' Phil Lewis reflects on Girl, the new stuff and settling differences with Tracii Guns

Sat, 23 May 2026 04:25:43 +0000

Forty-year-old glam metal band L.A. Guns is still releasing new music — and finding new audiences.
The band will join Tom Keifer of Cinderella for a May 28 performance at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts [BCPA]. The setlist blends classic songs with material from the band’s newest album, Leopard Skin.

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When sustainability is made doable, one college student's trash can become another's treasure

Fri, 22 May 2026 15:26:32 +0000

As part of NPR's Climate Solutions Week, you'll learn about efforts to make sustainability and recycling easier for college students in Illinois. Because one student’s trash is another’s treasure come the next semester. WGLT's Ben Howell reports.

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City manager says federal grant assurance was a 'game changer' to proceed with underpass in Normal

Thu, 21 May 2026 21:30:20 +0000

Normal's city manager said she's confident the federal government will come through funding for the Uptown underpass, even after the project missed its first deadline for starting construction.

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Illinois bill would give teachers due process but raises concerns about patterns of bad behavior

Thu, 21 May 2026 21:16:39 +0000

Illinois lawmakers want to expand due process rights for teachers when they face an accusation of misconduct, but there are concerns this could erase documented patterns of abuse.

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Developer wants to add 'passive' homes to Bloomington-Normal's housing mix

Wed, 20 May 2026 22:49:31 +0000

As Bloomington-Normal tries to address its housing shortage, a new developer is attempting an outside-the-box solution.
Rebecca Johnson, or DJ, is CEO and founder of COII, a company looking to design long-term, cost-effective homes focused on sustainability and wellness.

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An autism therapy at Lifelong Access has 'transformed' a Bloomington family's life

Wed, 20 May 2026 22:32:40 +0000

A Bloomington-Normal nonprofit aims to fill the need for Central Illinois families seeking autism support amid a shortage of providers.

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Normal Town Council OKs 6-month data center moratorium; Bloomington poised to do the same

Tue, 19 May 2026 21:11:30 +0000

The Normal Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on the development of data centers. Bloomington City Council members appear ready to do the same next week.

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Water reclamation district champions major park upgrade in west Bloomington

Tue, 19 May 2026 21:03:24 +0000

The Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District [BNWRD] has given final approval to spend $7.7 million to upgrade Sunnyside Park on Bloomington's west side to a sustainable park.

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With enhanced website, McLean County government leaps ahead in ADA compliance

Mon, 18 May 2026 22:00:36 +0000

The website for McLean County Government just got a lot easier to use for people with disabilities.

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ISU student deposits drop as enrollment cliff arrives

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:54:21 +0000

The long-dreaded enrollment cliff for colleges and universities is here. It’s showing up in the student deposit numbers at Illinois State University and other institutions in Illinois.

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Illinois has 279 new lawyers. The huge 4th judicial district got only 5

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:46:40 +0000

Family and friends watched graduates become lawyers, as Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White swore them in to begin their careers in the Fourth Judicial District. The 41-county district encompasses much of Western and Central Illinois, extending from Ford County west to the Iowa state line and running north-south from the Wisconsin border to Macoupin and Jersey County. The district includes some of downstate Illinois' most populous areas, such as McLean County, Greater Peoria and Sangamon County, containing the state capitol. But the Fourth District got just five of the 279 new attorneys sworn in on May 6.

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Pure joy: Teachers tour future home for District 87's Sarah Raymond School

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:10:12 +0000

Teachers and staff from the Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education toured their new home now under construction in Bloomington.

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PATH art auction promotes 988 awareness with color, resilience — and a sundae bar

Fri, 15 May 2026 23:45:51 +0000

May is Mental Health Awareness month and to commemorate, a Bloomington nonprofit is bringing color and joy to a dark topic. PATH Crisis Center’s annual art competition generates original imagery designed to spread the news about a vital resource for those in crisis.

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Nomad Theatre caps season with barn-themed plays — in a North Normal barn

Fri, 15 May 2026 23:32:15 +0000

Honey DEW Acres isn't entirely off the beaten path. The 5-acre farm is close to Interstate 55 and about a 10-minute drive northeast of Bloomington-Normal. But it's far enough to feel like someplace else. Honey DEW is home to David and Ellie Wertz [they're the D-E-W in Honey DEW], plus a pack of hens, goats, alpacas and a young rooster named Curly. And for two weekends, Honey DEW will also house Nomad Theatre Company's next production. The roaming troupe takes its site-specific theater to a barn built out of old telephone poles.

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Tornado damage claims in McLean County won't qualify for help

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:47:33 +0000

McLean County did not see enough damage from the April 17 storms to qualify for federal help. Emergency managers collected more than 450 damage reports stemming from the night in which 7 tornadoes tore through the county. No one was injured. In this Sound Ideas interview with WGLT's Eric Stock, county EMA director Cathy Beck says the county had several hundred spotters and other volunteers working to keep people safe that night.

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Inside the skills-focused young adult program at Eugene Field

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:28:55 +0000

The teachers of Eugene Field School want a new, more accessible facility to house the Unit 5 18- to 22-year-old program.

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How McLean County handled soaring fuel prices in 1973

Wed, 13 May 2026 20:36:59 +0000

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz as part of the U.S. war with Iran has sent energy prices way up. In this episode of McHistory, you'll go back to 1973 when something similar happened in McLean County during the OPEC oil Embargo.

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Bloomington Junior High students lead project focused on positivity

Wed, 13 May 2026 20:28:25 +0000

Students at Bloomington Junior High School will leave positive messages behind as they leave school for the summer. BJHS hosts a leadership club, partnering with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. The club covers topics like collaboration, service learning, career pathways, cultural awareness and STEM exploration. Students were tasked with coming up with a service project to promote kindness and discourage bullying.

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McLean County proposes stricter guidelines for data centers while waiting for the state to act

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:27:40 +0000

The state's inaction on new data center rules has prompted McLean County government to consider restrictions that would be the most stringent in Illinois. Lea Cline chairs the county board's Land Use and Transportation Committee. Cline drafted the rules which the committee unanimously endorsed last week and the county board will consider next month.

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Rep. Sorensen questions Hegseth about Rock Island layoffs, voiding union contracts

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:14:11 +0000

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen isn’t satisfied with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's answers about military layoffs in his Central Illinois district. Sorensen questioned Hegseth about the decision to cut up to 150 jobs at Rock Island Arsenal during a hearing held by the House Armed Services Committee on April 29.

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Local Democracy Playbook: How to get more candidates to run for public office

Mon, 11 May 2026 21:02:33 +0000

Surveys show Americans are getting increasingly concerned about the future of our democracy. You see it at political rallies. It can feel like civic engagement has never been greater. But at the local level, where the government can have a much greater impact on our lives, it's often much different.

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Bloomington's data center hot topic is ho-hum in Normal

Mon, 11 May 2026 20:52:41 +0000

Data Centers are getting a lot of attention in Bloomington. In Normal, not so much — both in inquiries by business and concerns from the public. Mayor Chris Koos said during a Sound Ideas interview, as in the City of Bloomington, the amount of land needed for a large-scale data center makes it unlikely any site inside town limits would be suitable.

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Tension from ISU's AFSCME strike lingers, even after new contract ratified

Mon, 11 May 2026 20:30:43 +0000

AFSCME Local 1110 members went back to work at Illinois State University [ISU] this week at the ratification of their contract, but there are still hurt feelings after the strike. The five-year contract approved Tuesday ended the nearly month-long strike, the longest in the history of ISU. But at the university’s quarterly board of trustees meeting Friday, union president Chuck Carver said that while they are happy about returning to work, they are still upset with university leadership.

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Local Democracy Playbook: 7 tips to get stuff done in Bloomington-Normal

Mon, 11 May 2026 12:51:07 +0000

It takes more than Facebook comments and email blasts to get results when advocating for change in local government. WGLT talked to those who've done it successfully to create this Local Democracy Playbook — a resource for you to follow in their footsteps.

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In an era of hostility, press protections remain strong in Illinois

Fri, 08 May 2026 21:16:43 +0000

With uncertainty surrounding press protections at the national level, the state of Illinois holds a strong reporter privilege statute. That’s according to Don Craven, general counsel for Illinois Press Association and three other statewide journalism organizations. He’s held the job protecting journalists in court and legal litigation since the mid-1980s

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With 'Dreamgirls,' director Jennifer Rusk passes the torch to a new generation of divas

Fri, 08 May 2026 21:02:28 +0000

Community Players Theatre kicks off its spring musical Thursday with a pay-what-you-can preview of Dreamgirls. The hit show loosely based on the Motown music biz and the Supremes' rise to fame officially opens Friday and runs three weekends at the Bloomington theater.

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Rep. LaHood again calls for ‘off ramp’ on U.S. war in Iran to bring fuel costs down

Thu, 07 May 2026 20:58:32 +0000

While gas prices keep soaring as the U.S. war in Iran shows no end in sight, Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said he’s ready to see the Trump administration find a way out of the war soon.

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Bloomington residents speak out against data centers at public forum

Thu, 07 May 2026 20:45:25 +0000

Bloomington city officials heard lots of pushback on the possibility of a data center in the community during a public forum on Wednesday. At the 2 p.m. session that included 70 attendees, they heard an overwhelmingly negative reception to the idea of a hyperscale facility, sometimes called an AI farm, being built in collaboration with the city.

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Central Illinois groups have a goal to make Bloomington-Normal a dementia-friendly community

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:02:54 +0000

The Dementia Friendly Bloomington-Normal Task Force is seeking community input on how people living with dementia and their caregivers can be best supported in the Twin Cities.

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Central Illinois food pantries prepare for higher need due to new SNAP requirements

Wed, 06 May 2026 21:53:05 +0000

Food pantries in Central Illinois are bracing for an uncertain future because of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]. According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, 120,000 people could lose their benefits. Non-disabled people up to age 64 now have to work or volunteer 80 hours a month to keep their SNAP benefits. The changes took effect May 1.

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Sen. Durbin says he will not back House version of Farm Bill

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:25:49 +0000

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin doesn't think the current version of the Farm Bill will fly, saying during a news conference in Normal the House version will not get his vote.

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Illinois bomb squad called to NCHS responding to general threat to the school

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:19:06 +0000

Students and staff at Normal Community High School have all returned home after a broad threat prompted an emergency response evacuating the school. In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Normal Police Department spokesperson Brad Park said the school received a concerning call around 8 a.m., triggering the response. Park said the threat was broad and wide-ranging. Police assisted with the investigation and evacuation, while securing the school property.

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Bloomington mayor says State of the City is strong, but 'the work never ends'

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:08:42 +0000

In his first State of the City speech, Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady said the city has accomplished a lot in his first year.

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Bloomington city manager says public exploration of data center issue is only the beginning

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:22:56 +0000

Bloomington City Manager Jeff Jurgens said the city has fielded multiple inquiries about locating a data center in the community over several years.

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Normal West principal receives $10,000 leadership award

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:16:11 +0000

Students and staff of Normal Community West High School surprised the school principal as they celebrated her win of a leadership excellence award.

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Tech literacy a goal for the new superintendent at Bloomington-based Regional Office of Education

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:08:58 +0000

The transition to a new regional superintendent of schools is complete. Mark Jontry retired at the end of April after serving as head of Regional Office of Education #17 since 2008. The Bloomington-based office provides direct support for McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan County public schools and as well as some programming for about a dozen private schools. Molly Allen, who served about six years as assistant regional superintendent, is now regional superintendent.

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Rivian reaffirms 2026 targets as R2 production weathers Normal tornado

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:04:04 +0000

It’s not often that a Bloomington-Normal severe weather event makes it into a quarterly earnings report closely watched by Wall Street investors. But it did Thursday. Leaders with the electric automaker Rivian gave investors an update on the tornado that damaged a section of the new R2 plant in west Normal two weeks ago.

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Central Illinois homeless advocates share different approaches to recent shelter projects

Fri, 01 May 2026 21:40:30 +0000

Homeless advocates from Bloomington and Lincoln took opposite approaches to finding success with recent shelter projects, as they discussed during the Women to Women Spring Forum on Tuesday at Bloomington Public Library.

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Statewide housing legislation could have a big effect in Bloomington-Normal

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:03:34 +0000

Gov. JB Pritzker is pushing for statewide zoning changes to spark housing construction. The suite of provisions in the Building Up Illinois Developments [BUILD] legislation would remove local restrictions and allow more multifamily housing in areas currently limited to single-family homes.

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Normal Community Experimental Ensemble releases 'A Moment of Yet' — an album made without sheet music

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:48:37 +0000

An experimental music ensemble made up of high schoolers from Normal has dropped a new LP and is preparing for a concert at the McLean County Museum of History. The album, A Moment of Yet, is released under the Bloomington-Normal indie label Black Flag Bonsai Club, launched in 2025 by composer/musician/producer Stefen Robinson—who happens to be the group’s faculty advisor.

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State lawmakers consider legislation to rein in new data center proposals

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:39:18 +0000

Illinois has one of the highest number of data centers in the country. But as residents worry about their water and electricity use, state lawmakers are considering legislation to rein in new data center proposals.

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Peer support a critical piece of the addiction recovery puzzle in McLean County

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:48:44 +0000

Peer recovery support specialists are increasingly recognized as a critical piece of the puzzle guiding people through addiction recovery. And robust collaborations between McLean County's court system, community health providers and Heartland Community College are positioning the region as a state leader in modeling a path that keeps people out of prison and focused on recovery.

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Striking ISU workers struggling with cost of living as work stoppage continues

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:57:57 +0000

Some striking dining and grounds workers at Illinois State University said they are struggling to make ends meet amid their third week with no paychecks.

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Illinois State University sticking to final offer in AFSCME strike negotiations

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:10:08 +0000

The AFSCME Local 1110 strike at Illinois State University [ISU] is approaching its third week with no apparent end in sight. AFSCME Local 1110 is the union representing about 350 striking building, dining and grounds employees at ISU. They have been on strike since April 8.

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'Quantum Across Illinois' wants to build the next workforce in quantum technology

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:50:30 +0000

Illinois is building a quantum workforce to develop the state as a global destination for emerging technology, with Bloomington-Normal among the locations chosen to promote the new initiative.

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park [IQMP], a quantum business park backed by the state about two years ago, is starting a new campaign called “Quantum Across Illinois.” It includes a series of visits to Illinois universities to recruit new college graduates to careers in the field.

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District 87 superintendent sounds off on State Farm departure, phones and SNAP benefits

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:44:50 +0000

The superintendent of District 87 schools said a new policy banning cell phones in classrooms has had a positive impact at Bloomington High School. Superintendent David Mouser gave updates on the policy and a number of other important topics during an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas.

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Statewide data shows McLean County detains defendants awaiting trial at higher rates

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:35:52 +0000

Loyola University researchers studying the Pretrial Fairness Act [PFA] say McLean County detains defendants awaiting trial at higher rates than most Illinois counties. In a presentation this week to McLean County's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council [CJCC], Loyola researcher David Olson presented preliminary findings about the PFA’s impact on the state’s criminal justice system. The law took effect in 2023, making Illinois the first state to eliminate cash bail.

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ISU VP of Finance and Planning Glen Nelson Q&A

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:00:23 +0000

Illinois State University Vice President of Finance and Planning Glen Nelson discusses negotiations with AFSCME amid the strike which began on April 8.

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Need rises sharply at Bloomington-Normal's Community Health Care Clinic

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:44:54 +0000

The Community Health Care Clinic in Normal has seen a big increase in need over the last nine months. Director Holly Wayland-Hall said in a Sound Ideas interview that overarching demand for service has risen about 75% through the first three quarters of this fiscal year.

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Illinois House approves megaprojects bill, but the Bears want changes

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:35:26 +0000

After more than three years on the legislative backburner, the Illinois House on Wednesday approved a major economic development bill that would clear the path for the Chicago Bears to build a new domed stadium in Arlington Heights.

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Meet the Newsroom: Cindy Alcazar

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:15:02 +0000

The Meet the Newsroom series pulls back the curtain to introduce you to the team that makes WGLT possible. The series continues with WGLT’s Cindy Alcazar, who has covered all kinds of stories for WGLT as a part-time reporter (aka correspondent).

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There’s no brushing off the amount of brush left by the tornadoes in Normal

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:51:17 +0000

The Town of Normal has collected more storm debris in less than a week than all the waste it hauled away in March. The town previously said it collected about 3,900 cubic yards of brush, branches, and limbs over the weekend following last Friday's tornadoes. It’s a lot more now — 6,600-plus cubic yards, City Manager Pam Reece said in a Sound Ideas interview.

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A new Route 66 book shares stories from forgotten women who shaped the Mother Road

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:45:23 +0000

As Route 66 turns 100, a new book is expanding the story of the Mother Road by focusing on people often left out of its history.

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McLean County inches closer to a permanent site for hazardous waste disposal

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:07:47 +0000

A year after the Ecology Action Center [EAC] got a green light on its proposal for a permanent hazardous waste disposal site, the Normal nonprofit is casting a wide net to raise the approximately $6 million needed to get the project off the ground. Executive Director Michael Brown said pending state legislation regulating disposal of toxic and combustible items could help.

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Illinois lawmakers want to expand protections to domestic violence victims to digital spaces

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:59:47 +0000

The Illinois Senate has unanimously passed a bill to expand orders of protection to online spaces and allow victims to indefinitely extend protection orders. The bill would give law enforcement more authority to investigate and bring charges against anyone who uses online spaces to harass someone with an order of protection against that person. People with protection orders would also be able to indefinitely extend the order of protection.

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Lawmakers Chung, Koehler look to keep Illinois a beacon of LGBTQ+ support

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:23:04 +0000

A pair of Central Illinois legislators acknowledge the national scene is bleak for members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. But Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria and Rep. Sharon Chung of Bloomington say Illinois' Democratic supermajority is working to keep the state a beacon of LGBTQ+ support.

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Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District will expand to Hudson and perhaps beyond

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:45:48 +0000

A grant that will help fund a two-mile stretch of new sewer interceptor on Bloomington-Normal’s west side is part of a much larger project that may link some small towns in McLean County to the Twin Cities' sewage treatment system.

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McLean County Board awards more than $1.7 million in health and public safety funding

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:56:16 +0000

McLean County is awarding more than $1.7 million in mental health and public safety funding to nearly a dozen local organizations, following a revamping of the application and selection process. Awards range from $30,000 to $650,000, and will go to groups such as Home Sweet Home Missions, Lifelong Access, and The Baby Fold.

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Stan Gozur takes over as president of Unit 5 school board, is pleased with district's direction

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:40:15 +0000

As Stan Gozur takes his seat as president of the Unit 5 school board, he said he is pleased with the direction the school district is headed after the enrollment study saga. Gozur previously served as the board vice president. In his new role, his top priorities include incorporating more stakeholder opinions and organizing finances.

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Prairie Pride Coalition collaboration provides tools to ask LGBTQ+ folks if they are OK

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:34:07 +0000

A lunch-and-learn hosted by Bloomington-Normal's LGBTQ+ advocacy organization hopes to give community members tools to discuss suicide. Prairie Pride Coalition is hosting the event, which features a new queer-focused curriculum from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

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National Weather Service confirms 6 tornadoes struck Friday night in McLean County

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:29:17 +0000

Six tornadoes struck McLean County on Friday night, according to the National Weather Service — three of them in Bloomington and Normal. All of the twisters that went through McLean County were relatively mild EF1 tornadoes or less, though two of them packed a punch of 110 mph winds. The others had peak winds of 90-100 mph, the NWS said in a news release.

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Bloomington golfer Brandon Holtz still processing 'great experience' at Masters

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:52:26 +0000

What did Brandon Holtz take away from living every golfer’s dream last week, playing against the best in the world at the Masters? So much, that his first day back at his RE/MAX Rising real estate office was mostly “staring blankly at the (computer) screen, just picturing what just happened.”

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In 2nd season, Bloomington Bison take aim at a spot in the ECHL playoffs

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:42:37 +0000

The Bloomington Bison close out their second season this weekend at Grossinger Motors Arena — but they might not be done playing. The minor league hockey team is in the running for the ECHL’s final playoff spot for what would be their first postseason berth.

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Q&A with Mayor Brady about the city's big water investments

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:47:09 +0000

The new $370 million budget for the City of Bloomington is the largest ever. In this Sound Ideas interview with WGLT's Charlie Schlenker, Mayor Dan Brady says if not for water department projects to separate sewers, replace water mains and remove lead service lines, the budget would actually have declined.

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Illinois Symphony season finale includes a world premiere inspired by Route 66

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:35 +0000

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra [ISO] is capping its season with a Route 66-themed world premiere from Chicago-based composer Michelle Isaac. It’s Music Director Taichi Fukumura's first-ever commission since joining the orchestra two years ago, but the Illinois Symphony has a long-standing history of world premieres.

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Meet the Newsroom: Braden Fogerson

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:52:14 +0000

The Meet the Newsroom series pulls back the curtain to introduce you to the team that makes WGLT possible. The series continues with WGLT correspondent Braden Fogerson, an Illinois State University alum who covers education across McLean County.

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ISU takes part in campaign to recruit teachers from other career fields

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:01:45 +0000

A nonprofit aims to help Illinois State University and other teaching colleges in Illinois address the teacher shortage by recruiting more educators from other professions. Grow Your Own Illinois hosted a recruiting event at ISU on Monday to find prospective educators for ISU and more than 20 colleges and universities across the state. The group's recruitment director, Herman Reeves, said the group is targeting those considering a career change and nontraditional students through its We See the Teacher In You campaign.

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Normal Township approves ballot question on pro-Israel state law

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:51:59 +0000

Voters living within Normal Township will have an extra question on their November ballots. At issue was a whether the state of Illinois should repeal its anti-BDS [boycott, divestment and sanctions] statute restricting state-funded institutions from refusing to engage with companies that "profit from or enable Israel's apartheid policies and human rights violations."

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Volunteers help meet need for Spanish translators in Bloomington-Normal

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:52:29 +0000

In the Bloomington-Normal community, there is a significant need for Spanish-speaking volunteer translators. Organizations such as Illinois State University’s Sigma Delta Pi (the National Spanish Honor Society) and Wesley United Methodist Church and community members who volunteer independently are helping fill this need for translating and interpreting.

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New OSF HealthCare CEO Conger eyes continued growth, improvement in care

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:46:40 +0000

Following a lengthy transition period, Michelle Conger is embracing her new role as CEO of the OSF HealthCare system.

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Unit 5 receives $30,000 grant to expand news literacy instruction

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:42:17 +0000

Expansion of news and media literacy instruction is coming to Normal Community and Normal West high schools. Unit 5 was accepted for the News Literacy District Fellowship to provide $30,000 in grant funding over the next three years, beginning in the fall.

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McLean County Farm Bureau continues push to raise estate tax exemption for family farms

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:19:26 +0000

Farmers in Illinois are two years deep into a fight to raise the the estate tax exemption for family farm operations in the state. The current rate of $4 million has remained for well over a decade and farmers in Illinois are lobbying state lawmakers to increase it to $6 million. The Family Farm Preservation Act was originally introduced by State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, and State Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, in 2024.

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Unit 5 plans to monitor projected growth in Carlock as the district plans to spare its grade school

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:14:35 +0000

Unit 5 schools' superintendent said public feedback helped shape the district's plans to realign school enrollments. A committee of school board members and educators completed a multi-year process on Thursday when it presented a final recommendation to the school board. That recommendation avoids two of the most controversial options the district considered — closing Carlock Elementary northwest of Normal and repurposing Glenn Elementary south of the Illinois State University campus. The district's survey showed heavy opposition to the option that included relocating students from both schools.

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Women are less likely to receive CPR in an emergency. A state lawmaker wants to change that

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:04:48 +0000

An Illinois lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require female manikins in high school CPR classes.

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Carlock and Glenn Elementary students stay put in proposal coming to Unit 5 school board vote next week

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:40:30 +0000

The proposal coming to a Unit 5 school board vote next Wednesday does not close Carlock Elementary School or repurpose Glenn Elementary. Superintendent Kristen Weikle presented details of the proposal during a virtual meeting Thursday night. Of the original two options presented to the public, one closed and repurposed those two schools and the other did neither. Survey responses favored keeping those schools roughly two-to-one.

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Central Illinois union painter shares the value of apprenticeships in a statewide professional development program

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:04:50 +0000

Christina Harms tried a lot of jobs before finding her current career path. Harms, from Pekin, works for Peoria-based Mid-Illinois Companies and Associated Constructors in Bloomington. She can be seen on construction sites throughout Bloomington-Normal, including the future home of Illinois State University’s College of Engineering on G.E. Road. Now, Harms is telling her story through the Apprentice Ambassador Program, a workforce development initiative hosted by the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board’s Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship Committee.

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Adam Nielsen is living with joy, hope—and Alzheimer's

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:58:34 +0000

Normal Citizen of the Year Adam Nielsen is living with early onset Alzheimer's disease. He and his wife Dayna Brown are doing so publicly and intentionally, to support others who may be going through the same thing, and as part of an advocacy effort.

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Brightpoint holds annual Color Run to support family visitation center in Bloomington

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:33:46 +0000

In memory of two victims of childhood domestic violence, Brightpoint is hosting its annual 5K run and 1-mile walk to end child abuse. The “Taking Steps to End Child Abuse Color Run” will take place April 25 at Normal’s Fairview Park to benefit the organization’s Family Visitation Center. Proceeds assist the center in conducting required supervised court visits for children.

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If Trail East and West development is revived, Uptown mural may go

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:44:35 +0000

The new version of the proposed Trail East and West development project in Uptown Normal would be primarily residential housing on the north side of the traffic circle straddling Constitution Trail. And a controversial mural on a building in the project footprint would likely be torn down.

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