This November, when Illinoisans enter the voting booth, it may feel eerily similar to 2022, with Democratic incumbent JB Pritzker and Republican challenger Darren Bailey vying for Illinois governor. But has a third-party candidate ever had a chance to win the governor's race? Let’s look to the past to help us understand the future, in this episode of our series McHistory.

This November, when Illinoisans enter the voting booth, it may feel eerily similar to 2022, with Democratic incumbent JB Pritzker and Republican challenger Darren Bailey vying for Illinois governor.&nbsp;But has a third-party candidate ever had a chance to win the governor's race? Let&rsquo;s look to the past to help us understand the future, in this episode of our series McHistory.

When a McLean County man mounted a viable 3rd-party run for Illinois governor

From the dawn of electronic library databases to AI in only 50 years and Milner Library's 50th anniversary.

From the dawn of electronic library databases to AI in only 50 years and Milner Library's 50th anniversary.

McHistory Digital Card Catalogs and Milner 50 

Movie theaters and railroads were early adopters of air conditioning in the 1920s and 30s.

Movie theaters and railroads were early adopters of air conditioning in the 1920s and 30s.

McHistory: How the cool came to McLean County

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.

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.

How McLean County handled soaring fuel prices in 1973

McLean County and central Illinois are gearing up for America 250 with a bunch of events, everything from a community drone show on July 2nd to readings of the Declaration of Independence. It's not the first national anniversary involving a big celebration. In this episode of WGLT's series McHistory, lets go back 50 years to hear what they did for the nation's bicentennial

McLean County and central Illinois are gearing up for America 250 with a bunch of events, everything from a community drone show on July 2nd to readings of the Declaration of Independence. It's not the first national anniversary involving a big celebration. In this episode of WGLT's series McHistory, lets go back 50 years to hear what they did for the nation's bicentennial

McHistory: Bicentennial in McLean County filled with kitsch, celebration, and warm feelings

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/ceed9085-f57d-44d3-b9b2-b44901535d6d/transcript

For the first 100 years of Bloomington history, water was scarce. In 1929, the formation of Lake Bloomington began after periods of drought, contamination and scarcity of safe drinking water.

 

For the first 100 years of Bloomington history, water was scarce. In 1929, the formation of Lake Bloomington began after periods of drought, contamination and scarcity of safe drinking water.
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The long thirst for a Lake Bloomington

Four airlines now fly in and out of the Central Illinois Regional Airport [CIRA]. They carried about 325,000 passengers last year. It wasn’t always like this. There was a time when the airport that served the Twin Cities had sod and gravel runways.

 

Four airlines now fly in and out of the Central Illinois Regional Airport [CIRA]. They carried about 325,000 passengers last year. It wasn&rsquo;t always like this. There was a time when the airport that served the Twin Cities had sod and gravel runways.
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When planes joined trains and automobiles in Bloomington-Normal

To reduce water use in an ongoing severe drought, the City of Bloomington has asked residents to conserve water by a goal of 10%. Water shortages are not unheard of for the city. Even at its start, water was scarce in Bloomington.

To reduce water use in an ongoing severe drought, the City of Bloomington has asked residents to conserve water by a goal of 10%.&nbsp;Water shortages are not unheard of for the city. Even at its start, water was scarce in Bloomington.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/4193a305-9562-499f-bc5f-b3ed016c4aee/transcript

During the Great Depression, the federal government tried to stimulate the economy by funding a variety of buildings and programs. Among them was the post office in the Town of Normal put up through the Works Progress Administration [WPA]. Inside that post office is another salute to the community, to human achievement, and to the importance of beauty in public spaces. It's an oil on canvas artwork.

During the Great Depression, the federal government tried to stimulate the economy by funding a variety of buildings and programs. Among them was the post office in the Town of Normal put up through the Works Progress Administration [WPA]. Inside that post office is another salute to the community, to human achievement, and to the importance of beauty in public spaces. It's an oil on canvas artwork.

McHistory: Normal Post Office depression era mural

McHistory goes back in time to explore big moments and small stories from McLean County history. McHistory episodes can be heard periodically on WGLT's Sound Ideas. The series is produced in partnership with the McLean County Museum of History.

McHistory

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