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District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly says he's pleased with the response to vaccinations. Reilly says 93% of District 87 teachers are now vaccinated. Plus, supply chain problems are slowing the pace of new home construction in central Illinois. After a big broil, the McLean County Board stays with 10 board districts and two members per district ... the hard part of the re-map comes next. And Illinois State University will announce its 20th president on Friday, though not too many people have been introduced so far.

Frank Catalano got his big music break at age 18 and but for his mom it could have happened earlier. She didn't much care for smoky bars and hanging out till the wee hours of the morning. Catalano appears with Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlain this Saturday in Bloomington. Plus, 'Ridin' on the City of New Orleans' and the rest of the Amtrak service in Illinois including through Bloomington Normal will get a little easier as the pandemic ebbs. Unit 5 Superintendent Kristen Weikle says child mental health efforts may get some of the millions in federal pandemic relief money coming to the district. And after protests of new curriculum guidelines by district 87 parents who want their kids in the arts, Bloomington schools are making adjustments.

The Bloomington Normal tourism picture is getting better, but better is a relative term. Yet, major events and meetings are going back on fall calendars. Hear from the McLean County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Plus, crypto currencies and digital art based on blockchain technology are moving into the mainstream. They even had a Saturday night Live Skit, and they're also being developed in central Illinois. Digital artists make NFTs. Illinois Wesleyan University has won back to back national golf championships, yet two years apart.

New housing starts in Normal are mostly happening near the edges of town. Plus, they'll be singing 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame' at the Corn Crib in Normal this summer. Central Illinois scholars and artists consider the pros and cons of crypto-currency. Finally, the cost of child care is growing, but workers in that sector aren't seeing much of that.

A social club that was dormant for decades has reborn in McLean County. Kathleen Lorenz and Vicky Varney explain how the Lincoln Club aims to reduce political polarization. The McLean County Health Department and Illinois State University partner on a new program to train people to respond to a mental health crisis. More new restaurants are coming to Bloomington-Normal and the eateries already here are busy again. Plus, Champaign-based singer songwriter John Aulabaugh overcomes numerous health issues to make a new album.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Friday, May 28, 2021.

A central Illinois native with PTSD finds healing through art. Hear about the organization CreatiVet. Plus, business is coming back to hospitals in central Illinois, but it's not all the way back. The head of Carle BroMenn says the feds are making up only 60% of the loss. Insurers are looking at new ways to gauge safe driving and who is doing it. Here's the world according to telematics. The Bloomington Normal band The Something Brothers have a new album, or two, no wait: make that three.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

There's a shortage of bicycles in Bloomington Normal. Stores can't keep mid-range bikes in stock for more than an hour. From aluminum shortages and other supply chain issues to vastly increased demand, it's touch and go for bicycle shop owners right now. Plus, expansion of pediatric services by Marcfirst could help school districts and reduce service needs for children with autism when they grow up. There has been a lot of news about labor shortages in the region. Eric Stock reports on who's hiring. The new Illinois State University Athletics Director plans for a fall season that won't have crowd size limits. And yes, there will be tailgating.

WGLT's The Leadoff is everything you need to know to start your day for Thursday, June 10, 2021.