WGLT's Sound Ideas

Illinois Wesleyan University is leaning into technology improvement and expansion as it moves toward the 2026-27 school year. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Bloomington-Normal nonprofit aims to fill the need for Central Illinois families seeking autism support amid a shortage of providers. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

The website for McLean County Government just got a lot easier to use for people with disabilities. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

Teachers and staff from the Sarah E. Raymond School of Early Education toured their new home now under construction in Bloomington. Support the show: https://donate.nprstations.org/wglt/wglt-choose-donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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