WGLT's Sound Ideas

In this audio postcard, two teachers from Unit 5 and District 87 reflect on what it's meant to spend the past 30 years in education — what's changed and what's not. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some people need music to focus, or complete silence to get a single thing done. These quirks of character might seem insignificant, but science shows the right sensory input can entirely change someone’s mood or productivity. Bloomington-Normal schools and youth-serving organizations are increasingly working this ideology into child development — through sensory rooms. These are spaces equipped with a variety of tactile, auditory, visual and even olfactory tools that provide stimulation to assist with social and emotional skills. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly a year after the soft launch, Atlanta, Illinois officially cuts the ribbon on the American Giants Museum with a weekend-long grand opening. Beginning Friday, staff will introduce the latest addition to the museum’s collection of mid-20th century fiberglass giants, created en masse by International Fiberglass Company as advertisements for filling stations and automotive shops along America's fast-growing interstate highway system. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, two retiring teachers reflect on their decades in the classroom, a Boy Scouts leader in central Illinois explains the planned name change, plus a preview of the American Giants Museum opening in Atlanta. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 200 years after Native Americans were forced out of Illinois, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has become the first federally recognized tribal nation in the state after a decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior last week. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomington's new city manager expects to move expeditiously to address the housing shortage in the Twin Cities. City Manager Jeff Jurgens said in a Sound Ideas interview that there will be a council meeting early next month to talk about barriers to creating new housing and sharing ideas of what the city can do. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Bloomington's city manager expects the city council will aggressively attack the housing shortage, sensory rooms are becoming more common in Bloomington-Normal schools, plus Illinois has its first federally-recognized tribal nation. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The four-piece band plays swing, traditional and hot club jazz from the early 20th century, with a full slate of shows all summer long, including Friday at Destihl. WGLT's Lauren Warnecke reports. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have noticed your sewer use fees went up in Bloomington-Normal this year. They rose 15%. Bloomington Normal Water Reclamation District Director Tim Ervin said that’s about $2 per month for the average homeowner. And there will be several more years of double-digit increases. Over the next several decades the fees will help pay for $300 million in improvements to the sewage treatment system in the Twin Cities. The state and federal governments are loaning residents the money up front. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District details planned wastewater treatment upgrades tied to its rate increases, researchers try to disrupt invasive carp through underwater acoustics, plus a Twin Cities' band makes a big change at the top but stays committed to its early 20th century jazz and swing standards. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.