From the WTLT newsroom, I'm John Norton. The city of Bloomington will issue up to $36 million in bonds to help fund water department improvements. The city council unanimously approved the first in what's expected to be a series of borrowing plans to fund projects including removing lead pipes and upgrading water plant equipment. The city council approved a series of customer water rate hikes in 2023 that will pay off the bonds and is hoping to secure state money for lead replacement.

From the WTLT newsroom, I'm John Norton. The city of Bloomington will issue up to $36 million in bonds to help fund water department improvements. The city council unanimously approved the first in what's expected to be a series of borrowing plans to fund projects including removing lead pipes and upgrading water plant equipment. The city council approved a series of customer water rate hikes in 2023 that will pay off the bonds and is hoping to secure state money for lead replacement.

But water director Ed Andrews says they could work with local funds. Bloomington's 5700 remaining lead lines are mostly in older neighborhoods. The city plans to replace them in the next 10 years.

But water director Ed Andrews says they could work with local funds. Bloomington's 5700 remaining lead lines are mostly in older neighborhoods. The city plans to replace them in the next 10 years.

Republican Congressman Darren LaHood says he wants President Trump to call off his trade wars with Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

Republican Congressman Darren LaHood says he wants President Trump to call off his trade wars with Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

We should use tariffs to go after bad actors like China, uh, but it ought to be used in a strate strategic and tactical way. Um, and I think the sooner we can pause tariffs, uh, with our like-minded allies, the better.

We should use tariffs to go after bad actors like China, uh, but it ought to be used in a strate strategic and tactical way. Um, and I think the sooner we can pause tariffs, uh, with our like-minded allies, the better.

Trump threatened a 50% tariff on all goods coming from the European Union.

Trump threatened a 50% tariff on all goods coming from the European Union.

After easing tariffs against China, Illinois lawmakers want to commemorate the world's first ever Illinois born Pope with license plates and a statue. IPR's Alex Degman reports. Republican State Representative Marty McLaughlin wants a statue of Pope Leo IV built on the Illinois State Capitol grounds. The Pope, formerly known as Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago and raised in suburban Dalton. McLaughlin's measure creates the new Pope Leo commemorative license plates to help pay for the statue.

After easing tariffs against China, Illinois lawmakers want to commemorate the world's first ever Illinois born Pope with license plates and a statue. IPR's Alex Degman reports. Republican State Representative Marty McLaughlin wants a statue of Pope Leo IV built on the Illinois State Capitol grounds. The Pope, formerly known as Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago and raised in suburban Dalton. McLaughlin's measure creates the new Pope Leo commemorative license plates to help pay for the statue.

It will cost an extra $27 the first year and $17 every year after that. Most of that will get deposited into a newly created monument fund, which will also accept private donations. The capital architect would design the statue and the Secretary of State would design the license plates. I'm Alex Degman.

It will cost an extra $27 the first year and $17 every year after that. Most of that will get deposited into a newly created monument fund, which will also accept private donations. The capital architect would design the statue and the Secretary of State would design the license plates. I'm Alex Degman.

And the state of Illinois has awarded $800,000 to the city of Bloomington to expand Constitution Trail. The trail extension will run from Lafayette Street to Hamilton Road on the city's southeast side. It will run underneath Veterans Parkway along an existing railway underpass. I'm John Norton, WGLT News.

And the state of Illinois has awarded $800,000 to the city of Bloomington to expand Constitution Trail. The trail extension will run from Lafayette Street to Hamilton Road on the city's southeast side. It will run underneath Veterans Parkway along an existing railway underpass. I'm John Norton, WGLT News.