WGLT's Sound Ideas

The Heartland Academy for Learning Opportunities [HALO] celebrated its 15th anniversary Wednesday evening at Heartland Community College. HALO offers a higher education experience to students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, or other learning challenges. Students can follow a one-year transition year plan to help them figure out what to do after high school, and also can can choose a two-year non-degree to earn a certificate. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer-songwriter Jenny Scara returns to home turf this week, headlining Gender Envy Friday night at the Coffeehouse with a new EP in tow. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, graduate workers at Illinois State University stand in solidarity with faculty with the threat of a strike looming, singer-songwriter Jenny Scara returns home no longer filled with regret about chasing her dreams, and Heartland Community College connects academics with soft skills to support students with developmental disabilities. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Illinois State Graduate Workers Union remains committed to refusing to do extra work to cover for faculty on strike if one begins. WGLT talks to AJ Pittman, a member of the steering committee for the grad workers union. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Brady says the city faces several big challenges as he prepares to take office next month: public safety, water problems and what he calls a pending storm -- the city's financial crunch. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, ISU's lab school educators want to unionize, a mother whose son died a car crash is pushing Illinois lawmakers to limit districted driving for teens, and an ISU scholar explains how the teachings of Communist philosopher Karl Max are still alive and well in the U.S. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eighty-one Illinois teen drivers and passengers died in car crashes in 2023, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Tragedies like these instantly change the lives of families and friends. For one mother — it led her to push for change. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Illinois State University [ISU] is on the brink of a faculty strike. But it’s not the only labor strife on campus. University High School in Normal is one of two lab schools operated by Illinois State University. The Lab School Education Association filed a petition for representation with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board in summer 2024. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, an election recap which includes recaps of the Bloomington and Normal mayoral races and the McLean County school facilities sales tax which voters approved. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McLean County voters have approved the 1% countywide sales tax for school facilities and safety. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Brady is set to return to public life after a 22-year run as a state lawmaker. Brady became the first mayoral candidate in Bloomington since 1997 [Judy Markowitz] to defeat an incumbent mayor on Tuesday. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayor Chris Koos of Normal has won a 6th full term in office, defeating challengers Kathleen Lorenz and Chemberly Harris. Though both those candidates have been on the town council for years, they called for change. Koos has been mayor since 2003. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday, April 1, is election day. Voters in McLean County will choose mayors, city council and school board members, township officials, and more. Voters here will also decide on a proposed 1% sales tax referendum that would support local schools. WGLT's Eric Stock and Lauren Warnecke discuss what we're watching for. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since McLean County entered an intergovernmental agreement with Bloomington and Normal in 2016 to place a 1% sales tax in the city and town for mental health and public safety purposes over the next 30 years, millions have been generated — and millions have also gone unspent. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a preview of all the key races and ballot initiatives on Election Day, McLean County officials break down how the county sales tax on mental health is being spent, plus McLean County's Muslim community observed Ramadan in a new mosque. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Trump administration effort to remove the federal government from wide swaths of American life continue to spread. Libraries and museums in Illinois and Bloomington-Normal will also feel the impact. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois hosted a storytelling celebration Saturday in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility 2025. The event featured stories and art from the Bloomington-Normal transgender community and beyond. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Normal mayoral candidate Kathleen Lorenz says she’s been transparent about an unusual $28,000 campaign contribution funneled through the McLean County Republicans. Her candor also could be what gets her in trouble with the State Board of Elections. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a candidate for mayor of Normal faces questions about a campaign gift, the McLean County sheriff investigates allegations of election interference for the countywide school sales tax, Bloomington-Normal libraries and museums brace for federal funding cuts, plus advocates mark Transgender Day of Visibility. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, a federal grant to asses climate risk in dis-invested parts of Bloomington-Normal is gone without explanation, a new state audit of Illinois State University shows a big structural deficit, and Ren and Stimpy and other cartoon classics are part of Trevor Basham's first solo gallery show in Bloomington. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.