From the WGLT newsroom, I'm Jon Norton. Bloomington and Normal are asking McLean County government to suspend collection of a 1% sales tax to support mental health initiatives in the county for at least 1 year. That tax money would instead stay with the municipalities during that time.

From the WGLT newsroom, I'm Jon Norton. Bloomington and Normal are asking McLean County government to suspend collection of a 1% sales tax to support mental health initiatives in the county for at least 1 year. That tax money would instead stay with the municipalities during that time.

The county board's executive committee is expected to consider the measure during its meeting today. The county will also consider hiring an independent auditing firm to examine the county's mental health and public safety fund. It has an approximate $20 million balance. Some elected officials have at times questioned how the county has been spending the money and why so much of it has not been spent. County officials have explained that all but about $4 million is accounted for to support mental health programs and initiatives.

The county board's executive committee is expected to consider the measure during its meeting today. The county will also consider hiring an independent auditing firm to examine the county's mental health and public safety fund. It has an approximate $20 million balance. Some elected officials have at times questioned how the county has been spending the money and why so much of it has not been spent. County officials have explained that all but about $4 million is accounted for to support mental health programs and initiatives.

A recent audit found that a state agency fell short on social equity initiatives laid out in a landmark state climate law. IPR's Mawa Iqbal reports

A recent audit found that a state agency fell short on social equity initiatives laid out in a landmark state climate law. IPR's Mawa Iqbal reports

the law requires the state to create programs helping clean energy contractors in underserved areas, as well as clean energy job training to people exiting prisons.

the law requires the state to create programs helping clean energy contractors in underserved areas, as well as clean energy job training to people exiting prisons.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity failed to implement these programs. Francisco Lopez Zavala leads the Illinois Environmental Council. He says it comes down to delays in hiring staff to run these programs. The DCO still needs to continue to staff up to ensure that we can meet these goals moving forward.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity failed to implement these programs. Francisco Lopez Zavala leads the Illinois Environmental Council. He says it comes down to delays in hiring staff to run these programs. The DCO still needs to continue to staff up to ensure that we can meet these goals moving forward.

especially in light of, you know, the current administration, the DCO did not return immediate requests for comment. I'm Mawa Iqbal,

especially in light of, you know, the current administration, the DCO did not return immediate requests for comment. I'm Mawa Iqbal,

and tucked into President Trump's big, beautiful bill making 2017 tax cuts permanent is an affordable housing tax credit.

and tucked into President Trump's big, beautiful bill making 2017 tax cuts permanent is an affordable housing tax credit.

Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood says it will reduce the high interest and construction materials cost barriers to building new housing. We'll create 12 to 15,000 new housing units in Illinois in the next two years here, LaHood says in return.

Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood says it will reduce the high interest and construction materials cost barriers to building new housing. We'll create 12 to 15,000 new housing units in Illinois in the next two years here, LaHood says in return.

For the 13 to 14% tax break, developers have to keep rents affordable for 15 years. He says that could make a meaningful difference in the McLean County housing shortage. Sunny skies today with a high in the middle 80s. I'm Jon Norton, WGLT.

For the 13 to 14% tax break, developers have to keep rents affordable for 15 years. He says that could make a meaningful difference in the McLean County housing shortage. Sunny skies today with a high in the middle 80s. I'm Jon Norton, WGLT.