Gov. JB Pritzker is pushing for statewide zoning changes to spark housing construction. The suite of provisions in the Building Up Illinois Developments [BUILD] legislation would remove local restrictions and allow more multifamily housing in areas currently limited to single-family homes.

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An experimental music ensemble made up of high schoolers from Normal has dropped a new LP and is preparing for a concert at the McLean County Museum of History. The album, A Moment of Yet, is released under the Bloomington-Normal indie label Black Flag Bonsai Club, launched in 2025 by composer/musician/producer Stefen Robinson—who happens to be the group’s faculty advisor.

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Illinois has one of the highest number of data centers in the country. But as residents worry about their water and electricity use, state lawmakers are considering legislation to rein in new data center proposals.

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Peer recovery support specialists are increasingly recognized as a critical piece of the puzzle guiding people through addiction recovery. And robust collaborations between McLean County's court system, community health providers and Heartland Community College are positioning the region as a state leader in modeling a path that keeps people out of prison and focused on recovery.

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Some striking dining and grounds workers at Illinois State University said they are struggling to make ends meet amid their third week with no paychecks.

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The AFSCME Local 1110 strike at Illinois State University [ISU] is approaching its third week with no apparent end in sight. AFSCME Local 1110 is the union representing about 350 striking building, dining and grounds employees at ISU. They have been on strike since April 8.

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Illinois is building a quantum workforce to develop the state as a global destination for emerging technology, with Bloomington-Normal among the locations chosen to promote the new initiative.

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park [IQMP], a quantum business park backed by the state about two years ago, is starting a new campaign called “Quantum Across Illinois.” It includes a series of visits to Illinois universities to recruit new college graduates to careers in the field.

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The superintendent of District 87 schools said a new policy banning cell phones in classrooms has had a positive impact at Bloomington High School. Superintendent David Mouser gave updates on the policy and a number of other important topics during an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas.

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