WGLT's Sound Ideas

John Penn is a family man, a laborer, a Democrat and a veteran. Now, he can add History Maker to that list of attributes, as the first second-generation recipient of one of McLean County’s highest honors. The 2024 class of McLean County History Makers are the guests of honor at the McLean County Museum of History's gala on June 18. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By end of June, Bloomington City Manager Jeff Jurgens said the city hopes to have a “concrete plan” that “the (city) council can act on" to improve the housing shortage in McLean County. He shared this at Monday night's committee meeting of the whole, in which there was a 45-minute panel and discussion on housing problems and solutions. What that plan will look like, Jurgens added, is still unclear. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, you'll hear about Bloomington City Council discussion around the community's housing shortage. Plus, an interview with McLean County History Maker John Penn. And you'll learn about the Bloomington Social Justice Walking Tour, which returns June 3. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven years ago, a mysterious startup called Rivian Automotive secured a commitment of nearly $50 million in state tax breaks to help it revive Normal’s auto plant. It never got the money. State officials confirmed Monday that Rivian has not received any of the tax breaks, part of the EDGE tax credit program, despite hiring significantly more people and investing more money in Normal than initially expected. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Educators statewide are left to make their own rules and regulations surrounding phone usage in class. In Bloomington-Normal, those policies vary widely. WGLT talks to students, educators and parents about what they think should happen next. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria will undergo a massive reorganization and consolidation through 2027, as the church grapples with falling attendance and a growing priest shortage. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Gov. Andy Manar talks to host Jak Tichenor on the set of “Illinois Lawmakers,” Illinois’ longest-running state government-focused TV program that is now a production of Capitol News Illinois. Manar told Tichenor none of the governor’s revenue proposals – or any brought forth by the General Assembly – are off the table with a week remaining in the legislative session. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, you'll hear an interview with Deputy Gov. Andy Manar as the spring legislative session winds down. Plus, WGLT's Melissa Ellin reports on what students, educators and parents think should be done about phones in schools. And the Catholic Diocese of Peoria finalizes its reorganization plan, including changes in McLean County. And Bloomington High School students share what they're most excited about this summer. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average first-year undergraduate student will pay about $500 more to attend ISU in the fall than last year. The Board of Trustees has approved a 3.6% increase in fees, and room and board rose 3.5%. The ISU board held a special meeting Friday after putting off a vote last week to get more information. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The McLean County Regional Planning Commission has finished its Regional Housing Recovery Plan to address shortages in housing, workforce housing, mixed-use housing, affordable housing, and housing for the housing challenged.It has been presented to the Bloomington and Normal councils and the McLean County Board. Now what? Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hip-hop and bluegrass might not intuitively go together, but they have a lot in common: improvisation, outlaw vibes, hard times music and shared roots from the African diaspora. Rench the Mastermind wasn’t really thinking about that when he formed Gangstagrass nearly 20 years ago—he just thought they’d sound cool together. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WGLT recently spent some time at Bloomington High School for a job fair and career day. While there, WGLT asked students to tell us about something they were excited about this summer. Here's what they said. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State and local leaders who represent Logan County and its county seat are pushing back against a state plan to rebuild the Logan Correctional Center two hours north of its current location in Lincoln. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, you'll hear from Town of Normal administrator Brian Day about the next steps for the community's new Housing Recovery Plan. Plus, hear why the Lincoln community is concerned about the planned closure of the Logan women's prison. And you'll hear the music of Gangstagrass ahead of this weekend's show at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foundation Christian Academy plans to open in August with about 40 students at its new building at Victory Church southeast of Bloomington on U.S. 150. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The District 87 school board heard a report Wednesday night addressing safety and security concerns, following two incidents at Bloomington schools in recent weeks. The board also approved funding for an architect and a construction manager at a former State Farm building where the district plans to expand early childhood education. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A policy change approved by Illinois State University's Academic Senate provides more modernized definitions of violence, but some ISU faculty are concerned the process cannot keep up with what they perceive as an escalation in threatening behavior on campus. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, some educators at ISU are raising concerns about safety threats they didn't feel were sufficiently addressed, public schools in Bloomington plan to beef up their communications when it comes to security risks, and a Woodford County farmer provides an oasis in a food desert. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Autocrats Rise interview 240515 Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, an ISU scholar authors a book on how autocrats use rhetoric to rise to power, ISU students push for easier voting access on Election Day, and a Bloomington church rebuilds and adds a school. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.