From the WGLT Newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. Republican Central Illinois Congressman Darren LaHood says he'll announce soon whether he will run for US Senate next year. Democrat Dick Durbin is not seeking re-election. LaHood says Senate seats don't open very often. I've gotten encouragement to look at the US Senate seat. I think there's an appetite for a Republican senator to represent the state of Illinois. Durbin served in the Senate for nearly 3 decades.

From the WGLT Newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. Republican Central Illinois Congressman Darren LaHood says he'll announce soon whether he will run for US Senate next year. Democrat Dick Durbin is not seeking re-election. LaHood says Senate seats don't open very often. I've gotten encouragement to look at the US Senate seat. I think there's an appetite for a Republican senator to represent the state of Illinois. Durbin served in the Senate for nearly 3 decades.

Bloomington's downtown has received a state designation as a cultural district. Deputy city manager Sue McLaughlin says it's deserved recognition for many people, not just the city council. It's your, you know, historic Preservation commission, all the events, all the people that are involved with making downtown so vibrant. The designation also makes the city eligible to apply for $3 million in tailored funding to fit downtown needs in fostering economic development and preserving cultural identity.

Bloomington's downtown has received a state designation as a cultural district. Deputy city manager Sue McLaughlin says it's deserved recognition for many people, not just the city council. It's your, you know, historic Preservation commission, all the events, all the people that are involved with making downtown so vibrant. The designation also makes the city eligible to apply for $3 million in tailored funding to fit downtown needs in fostering economic development and preserving cultural identity.

As it celebrates 50 years of operation, the University of Illinois extension Master Gardeners program has changed the training and programming over the years. Agriculture and Natural Resource program director Anna Molesky says one thing has been a constant with the master gardeners, education.

As it celebrates 50 years of operation, the University of Illinois extension Master Gardeners program has changed the training and programming over the years. Agriculture and Natural Resource program director Anna Molesky says one thing has been a constant with the master gardeners, education.

Time has gone on, you know, those needs have changed definitely within the uh each community, um, but they're still upholding that education and overall just helping out those that have questions about gardening. Across the state, the program has 2200 volunteers working to teach their community gardening skills.

Time has gone on, you know, those needs have changed definitely within the uh each community, um, but they're still upholding that education and overall just helping out those that have questions about gardening. Across the state, the program has 2200 volunteers working to teach their community gardening skills.

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, and breastfeeding mothers would receive more workplace protections under a bill just approved by Illinois lawmakers. The measure from Democratic state Representative Katie.

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, and breastfeeding mothers would receive more workplace protections under a bill just approved by Illinois lawmakers. The measure from Democratic state Representative Katie.

Stewart requires employers to get paid time off to employees who need to express breast milk. Stewart doesn't think this is a huge problem, but wants to make sure everyone gets what they need.

Stewart requires employers to get paid time off to employees who need to express breast milk. Stewart doesn't think this is a huge problem, but wants to make sure everyone gets what they need.

I believe many employers are already doing the right thing, and, um, you know, we just need to compel a few of them to make sure they are also supporting mothers and babies.

I believe many employers are already doing the right thing, and, um, you know, we just need to compel a few of them to make sure they are also supporting mothers and babies.

Employees would get paid their regular rate and wouldn't have to use their own PTO. I'm Ben Howell.

Employees would get paid their regular rate and wouldn't have to use their own PTO. I'm Ben Howell.