From the WGLT Newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. An Illinois nonprofit advocating for people with criminal records has selected Bloomington Normal for its first downstate chapter. Foley Free Blowno hosts its launch party Saturday at Miller Park. The group is part of the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. Local member Sheila Woodworth says the chapter includes people who

From the WGLT Newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. An Illinois nonprofit advocating for people with criminal records has selected Bloomington Normal for its first downstate chapter. Foley Free Blowno hosts its launch party Saturday at Miller Park. The group is part of the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. Local member Sheila Woodworth says the chapter includes people who

were previously incarcerated or who have loved ones who face that experience.

were previously incarcerated or who have loved ones who face that experience.

And there's even just um allies, people who haven't been, but they understand, you know, that it is time to end the permanent punishment and like start seeing people for who they really are.

And there's even just um allies, people who haven't been, but they understand, you know, that it is time to end the permanent punishment and like start seeing people for who they really are.

Woodworth says people with criminal records face barriers to housing and employment even decades after completing a sentence.

Woodworth says people with criminal records face barriers to housing and employment even decades after completing a sentence.

Three more McLean County zip codes have been added to the state's updated list of areas where kids must be tested for lead exposure. The Illinois Department of Public Health added 180 zip codes and 47 counties to the list at the start of the month. Universal childhood lead testing will go into effect.

Three more McLean County zip codes have been added to the state's updated list of areas where kids must be tested for lead exposure. The Illinois Department of Public Health added 180 zip codes and 47 counties to the list at the start of the month. Universal childhood lead testing will go into effect.

next year. The full list now includes more than 1300 zip codes, including most of Bloomington Normal, as well as the communities of Leroy, Hayworth, Lexington, Hudson, and Sheila. Under state law, children and high-risk zip codes are automatically tested at 12 and 24 months.

next year. The full list now includes more than 1300 zip codes, including most of Bloomington Normal, as well as the communities of Leroy, Hayworth, Lexington, Hudson, and Sheila. Under state law, children and high-risk zip codes are automatically tested at 12 and 24 months.

Miracle League Field in Normal has activities for children and adults with disabilities, including Sunday baseball games. President Steve May says a new agreement with Heartland Community College is expected to improve things for the league. I think they have a network to recruit volunteers and do some different things within the league that that maybe we didn't have the opportunity to do. May says the location of Miracle League Field on Heartland's campus provided a prime opportunity to work with them, and the public.

Miracle League Field in Normal has activities for children and adults with disabilities, including Sunday baseball games. President Steve May says a new agreement with Heartland Community College is expected to improve things for the league. I think they have a network to recruit volunteers and do some different things within the league that that maybe we didn't have the opportunity to do. May says the location of Miracle League Field on Heartland's campus provided a prime opportunity to work with them, and the public.

Offer feedback about proposed Connect Transit route changes during any of 4 public meetings this week. Connect Transit is considering changes to its yellow, pink and blue purple routes. It's also planning to get rid of the Red Express and replace it with a new route called the Mint that would run in Northeast Normal. You can learn more about these changes during 2 sessions tomorrow from 12:00 to 2 or 5 to 7 at ISU's alumni Center in Normal. There are 2 more sessions from 12:00 to 2 and 5 to 7 on Wednesday at the Bloomington Public Library. I'm Ben Howell.

Offer feedback about proposed Connect Transit route changes during any of 4 public meetings this week. Connect Transit is considering changes to its yellow, pink and blue purple routes. It's also planning to get rid of the Red Express and replace it with a new route called the Mint that would run in Northeast Normal. You can learn more about these changes during 2 sessions tomorrow from 12:00 to 2 or 5 to 7 at ISU's alumni Center in Normal. There are 2 more sessions from 12:00 to 2 and 5 to 7 on Wednesday at the Bloomington Public Library. I'm Ben Howell.