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Editor's note: This is part of a five-story series reported at the Housing Action Illinois conference in Bloomington on Oct. 24-25. The stories ran…

Interest rates are up significantly, and as homebuilders look at the approaching spring construction season, they will be faced with choices on how to finance construction and how long they think they'll have to wait before they can sell a new housing unit.Normal City Manager Pam Reece says the rate increases have slowed the construction market. But in this interview with Charlie Schlenker, Reece says the hikes have not stopped construction plans. Listen to the full interview above.

Normal Council member Karyn Smith says allegations against the city manager aren't about ethics, they're about gender bias. Six council members chastise the seventh, Stan Nord. Plus, the insurance industry workforce is about to become scarce. A lot of retirements coming up in the next few years. District 87 teachers say a pr campaign to score political points by protesting black history curriculum is way off base. And McLean County's legal community and housing advocates have a new plan lessen a spike in evictions once the statewide moratorium goes away in August.

Illinois and Bloomington Normal businesses prepare for phase five...with no capacity limits for stores. The new legislative map splits up Bloomington Normal into five house districts and several senate seats. Some think that'll help community interests in Springfield. Others say no. The Miller Park Zoo has survived not one but two pandemics and 130 years. It's celebrating an anniversary this weekend. The State of Illinois is giving the town of Normal $1.2 million to extend the Constitution Trail along Gregory Street to Maxwell Park.

Housing advocates say the pace of rental aid distribution has picked up, but they are still not sure enough people are applying. That's true in the immigrant community as well as you hear from the Immigration Project. The Democratic Party controlled remap is designed to make sure GOP Representatives Mary Miller and Darin LaHood will have to run against each other. It's not clear who will survive. One expert says LaHood is stronger in a general election, but Miller could take him out in a primary. And the music of the neo new wave band Fantastic Plastics has gorgeous melodies that often frame pointed critiques OF technology and modern society.

U.S. Representative Rodney Davis says he won't run for Governor, and will try to retain his congressional seat in a newly drawn district. Davis says he looks forward to a committee chairmanship if Republicans take the House next year. Sensors embedded in roadways can improve bad weather service and save money. Hear about a vision of SMART cities and how municipalities can decide which new techie tools to choose. And Inclusive Education Coalition Founder Aditi Sharma says her group is planning to buy new book titles for McLean County teachers to use in classroom diversity curriculum.

An Illinois State University alumnus is bringing a little Disney magic to campus. Christopher Chapman works as the Global Creativity & Innovation Director…

An Illinois State University Scholar has won one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature. Distinguished Professor Roberta Seelinger Trites…

The Midwest Food Bank is teaming up with Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee to provide food to the youth who attend programs at the community…

Wayne Messmer is an iconic voice in Illinois, serving as a professional speaker, broadcaster, actor, author, and of course, singer. He's also an Illinois…