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Republicans in Congress like Darin LaHood don't like the Biden administration definition of infrastructure. They don't think it should include public housing, healthcare related or energy projects. A central Illinois lawmaker says he could back a trillion dollar bill, but not the two trillion proposal from Democrats. Plus, McLean County's sheriff recounts his three decade career. Jon Sandage says he won't run for a third term. And if you thought tales of Dickensian privation were just from big cities of the Victorian era, listen to the next episode of McHistory. The McLean County Poor farm was a horror show.

The city of Bloomington has some unpleasant choices ahead. The city council has five options to close a million dollar deficit but is a long way from clarity. Many of the lawmakers in Springfield weren't even born the last time there was a House Speaker NOT named Mike Madigan. Hear an assessment of the new House and Senate leadership performance in the spring session. State Senator Jason Barickman blames the Governor for an evictions moratorium that may cause a spike in evictions when it goes away in late summer. Barickman says the courts should have been trusted to deal with the issue during the pandemic. And Bloomington Normal's largest COVID testing site is closing. Find out who will pick up the load.

The pace of vaccinations has slowed dramatically in McLean County and the health department may soon end mass clinics. It's still a long road from the current 40 percent inoculation rate in McLean County to herd immunity at 70 or 80 percent. Plus, it's garlic season in central Illinois. Learn about the ancient nutritious, even antiseptic herb and how to save your taste buds and tummy from the smelly thing. The identities of creative people can never truly be separated from the things they create, but Black artists often find themselves pigeonholed by White curators. Go behind a Bloomington Normal exhibition highlighting Black freedom of creative expression.

Rivian employment is now about 1,900. It's heading for 2,500 by year and 3,000 to 4,000 by the end of next year. Heartland Community College's two soccer teams went to nationals for the first time, but it wasn't easy when several got sick. Yet they persevered. Heartland also set a new grade point average record among its student athletes. McLean County Jail inmates connect with their children by reading and recording books on CD. A northern Illinois woman tells you her experience of a chemical plant fire and dark plumes of smoke that made her sick and dizzy.

The structural deficit for Unit 5 schools is $12.5 million and rising $1.5-2 million a year. Unit 5 Superintendent Kristen Weikle says she hopes to have deficit reduction plans developed by the fall. They will include cuts, new revenue, and efficiencies in existing operations. Plus, the town of Normal will rework zoning rules to allow permanent outdoor on street dining. it proved popular during the pandemic. Hear from City Manager Pam Reece. The prairie state doesn't have a lot of prairie left. Learn more during WGLT's gardening podcast 'Grow.' And Opera Under the Stars comes to an outdoor venue in Normal, courtesy of Prairie Fire Theater.

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.

On this week's episode of WGLT's Center Stage, you'll hear selections from "An American in Paris," "Vanities," and "West Side Story."Subscribe to WGLT's…

TikTok employee Patrick Ryan has launched a legal challenge against the Trump administration to protect TikTok workers. The White House has given the popular app an ultimatum: Sell or be banned.

With a race car engine screaming at 20,000 rpms and the car going 230 miles per hour, even the safest indy car racers get banged up. Advocate Bromenn…

McLean County health officials announced 421 new coronavirus cases and the 42th COVID-related death on Thursday, as the county’s testing positivity rate…