Home Sweet Home Ministries is now negotiating to buy property for a proposed shelter village in Bloomington now that the city has endorsed the project. That's among the stories you heard this week on WGLT. I'm Ben Howell with News and Review. Home Sweet Home CEO Matt Burgess says the nearly 50 small sleeping cabins would serve any

Home Sweet Home Ministries is now negotiating to buy property for a proposed shelter village in Bloomington now that the city has endorsed the project. That's among the stories you heard this week on WGLT. I'm Ben Howell with News and Review. Home Sweet Home CEO Matt Burgess says the nearly 50 small sleeping cabins would serve any

One in Bloomington Normal who's unhoused. That includes those about to be removed from the encampment along Sugar Creek and Normal. The shelter village is being designed and built to prioritize people in that exact situation. Burgess says he hopes construction can begin in June and they will be ready by November.

One in Bloomington Normal who's unhoused. That includes those about to be removed from the encampment along Sugar Creek and Normal. The shelter village is being designed and built to prioritize people in that exact situation. Burgess says he hopes construction can begin in June and they will be ready by November.

Bloomington and Normal have launched a website that discourages people from giving money directly to the communities unhoused. Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady says those who want to help the unhoused should donate instead to the community organizations that address homelessness. The one thing that we know is we want to uh try and discourage.

Bloomington and Normal have launched a website that discourages people from giving money directly to the communities unhoused. Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady says those who want to help the unhoused should donate instead to the community organizations that address homelessness. The one thing that we know is we want to uh try and discourage.

The idea that by just giving whatever is in your pocket or something uh is the way to do things we want to do the greatest good for those that are truly in need and make sure that it goes in that direction. The website BNhesolution.com lists 7 organizations that address community homelessness.

The idea that by just giving whatever is in your pocket or something uh is the way to do things we want to do the greatest good for those that are truly in need and make sure that it goes in that direction. The website BNhesolution.com lists 7 organizations that address community homelessness.

The McLean County sheriff says a state bill in response to Sonia Massey's killing by police will make vetting law enforcement candidates easier. The bill requires a full review of an applicant's employment history before a police agency can offer a job. Sheriff Matt Lane says many agencies already perform these checks, but the bill may expedite the process. It's not going to be anything different for us. Uh, it actually makes it easier for us to do our job and to do that background check because it requires, um.

The McLean County sheriff says a state bill in response to Sonia Massey's killing by police will make vetting law enforcement candidates easier. The bill requires a full review of an applicant's employment history before a police agency can offer a job. Sheriff Matt Lane says many agencies already perform these checks, but the bill may expedite the process. It's not going to be anything different for us. Uh, it actually makes it easier for us to do our job and to do that background check because it requires, um.

Other agencies to comply and to give us information, um, easily. The bill has passed the state legislature and awaits signature by the governor.

Other agencies to comply and to give us information, um, easily. The bill has passed the state legislature and awaits signature by the governor.

The McLean County Board has approved allowing Connect Transit to provide its rural transportation services to the county. Chair Elizabeth Johnston says the county wants to see how the service can be improved over time. When we brought it to Connect Transit, the intention was to replace the current services, and then over the next, uh, you know, 6 months to a year is to really start exploring what other needs are in our rural areas. Johnston says the county will explore rural access to employment, medical services, and grocery stores.

The McLean County Board has approved allowing Connect Transit to provide its rural transportation services to the county. Chair Elizabeth Johnston says the county wants to see how the service can be improved over time. When we brought it to Connect Transit, the intention was to replace the current services, and then over the next, uh, you know, 6 months to a year is to really start exploring what other needs are in our rural areas. Johnston says the county will explore rural access to employment, medical services, and grocery stores.

The Trump administration's move to cut the National Endowment for the Arts is likely to have the greatest impact in small and rural communities. Bloomington artist Herb Eaton says artists working in large population centers have greater access to private grants and other sources of revenue. There's so few people here that we don't have a kind of push.

The Trump administration's move to cut the National Endowment for the Arts is likely to have the greatest impact in small and rural communities. Bloomington artist Herb Eaton says artists working in large population centers have greater access to private grants and other sources of revenue. There's so few people here that we don't have a kind of push.

That is seen from a like demographic point of view, from the people giving out these grants. The National Endowment for the Arts funds projects for rural communities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

That is seen from a like demographic point of view, from the people giving out these grants. The National Endowment for the Arts funds projects for rural communities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Governor JB Pritzker did not include funding for health benefits for immigrant adults in this year's budget proposal. Benefits for participants are set to expire June 30th. Andy Almanor with the advocacy group Healthy Illinois says canceling the program will have dire consequences. Really, people will.

Governor JB Pritzker did not include funding for health benefits for immigrant adults in this year's budget proposal. Benefits for participants are set to expire June 30th. Andy Almanor with the advocacy group Healthy Illinois says canceling the program will have dire consequences. Really, people will.

Die as a result of this program ending, I mean, there are individuals who have who are undergoing cancer treatment right now or dialysis and or who have um diabetes and who are relying on this program to be able to afford their medication. Nearly 120 McLean County residents will lose coverage.

Die as a result of this program ending, I mean, there are individuals who have who are undergoing cancer treatment right now or dialysis and or who have um diabetes and who are relying on this program to be able to afford their medication. Nearly 120 McLean County residents will lose coverage.

Illinois Wesleyan University president Shane Zenger says it's unclear whether measures taken to combat alleged anti-Semitism will satisfy the US Education Department investigation of IWU. Zenger says many of the guardrails to make sure people play fair with each other were put in place before he arrived as president last July. Update policies with regard to everything from.

Illinois Wesleyan University president Shane Zenger says it's unclear whether measures taken to combat alleged anti-Semitism will satisfy the US Education Department investigation of IWU. Zenger says many of the guardrails to make sure people play fair with each other were put in place before he arrived as president last July. Update policies with regard to everything from.

Uh, peaceful rallies, to university postering, to external speakers, things that weren't in writing. Zenger says IWU will not tolerate anti-Semitism or intolerance of any sort on campus.

Uh, peaceful rallies, to university postering, to external speakers, things that weren't in writing. Zenger says IWU will not tolerate anti-Semitism or intolerance of any sort on campus.

The Fairview Aquatic Center in Normal is now known as the Carricker Aquatic Center in honor of former Mayor Kent Carricker, who died last year. Carricker is remembered for renovating the center in 1998 and for often bringing his children there. He nicknamed them pool rats. Kent Carricker's son Kyle spoke at the dedication ceremony.

The Fairview Aquatic Center in Normal is now known as the Carricker Aquatic Center in honor of former Mayor Kent Carricker, who died last year. Carricker is remembered for renovating the center in 1998 and for often bringing his children there. He nicknamed them pool rats. Kent Carricker's son Kyle spoke at the dedication ceremony.

It was inevitable that we became locker room attendants and swim instructors and lifeguards watching over the next generation of pool rats.

It was inevitable that we became locker room attendants and swim instructors and lifeguards watching over the next generation of pool rats.

Kyle Carricker says the Aquatic Center has been important to his family for generations. You can find more on all these stories at WGLT.org. I'm Ben.

Kyle Carricker says the Aquatic Center has been important to his family for generations. You can find more on all these stories at WGLT.org. I'm Ben.