1 00:00:00,389 --> 00:00:04,550 Speaker 1: From the WGLT newsroom, I'm Charlie Schlenker. Governor JB Pritzker 2 00:00:04,550 --> 00:00:08,148 Speaker 1: is calling on Congress to pass legislation allowing the year-round 3 00:00:08,148 --> 00:00:12,229 Speaker 1: use of E-15, a blend of ethanol and gasoline. State 4 00:00:12,228 --> 00:00:16,489 Speaker 1: Agriculture Director Jerry Costello says the Republican Congress seems receptive, 5 00:00:16,709 --> 00:00:19,340 Speaker 1: but Congress is saying the right things, but there has 6 00:00:19,340 --> 00:00:23,069 Speaker 1: not been action. Costello believes the holdup is the petroleum 7 00:00:23,069 --> 00:00:25,209 Speaker 1: industry lobbying of congressional members. 8 00:00:25,799 --> 00:00:29,610 Speaker 1: Congressman Eric Sorenson is pushing back on the proposed $200 9 00:00:29,610 --> 00:00:32,779 Speaker 1: billion aid package for the war in Iran. The Democrat, 10 00:00:32,799 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: who represents parts of Bloomington Normal, says American families are 11 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,380 Speaker 1: the ones footing the bill. That money isn't just coming 12 00:00:38,380 --> 00:00:43,159 Speaker 1: from our pocketbooks, it's coming from our children's pocketbooks. 13 00:00:43,235 --> 00:00:46,915 Speaker 1: Sorensen says the price tag hits especially hard as everyday 14 00:00:46,915 --> 00:00:50,724 Speaker 1: costs keep climbing. That is a tall price to pay 15 00:00:50,955 --> 00:00:55,115 Speaker 1: when the American people can't pay their bills. Sorensen has 16 00:00:55,115 --> 00:00:57,994 Speaker 1: been vocal about the squeeze on working families, pointing to 17 00:00:57,994 --> 00:01:00,794 Speaker 1: rising grocery, utility, and gas prices. 18 00:01:01,250 --> 00:01:04,769 Speaker 1: The Illinois State University women's basketball team will play for 19 00:01:04,769 --> 00:01:09,809 Speaker 1: the championship of the WNIT tomorrow. ISU coach Kristin Gillespie 20 00:01:09,809 --> 00:01:13,010 Speaker 1: says it's been a special year for Redbird Athletics after 21 00:01:13,010 --> 00:01:16,110 Speaker 1: the football team's run to the title game in January 22 00:01:16,110 --> 00:01:16,779 Speaker 1: and the men's 23 00:01:17,069 --> 00:01:18,910 Speaker 1: going to the NIT semifinals. 24 00:01:19,010 --> 00:01:22,470 Speaker 2: That's what makes ISU so special is like there is 25 00:01:22,470 --> 00:01:26,750 Speaker 2: a genuine love for each other. Like we support each other. 26 00:01:26,830 --> 00:01:28,869 Speaker 2: We show up, we know how hard it is 27 00:01:28,870 --> 00:01:29,309 Speaker 2: to win. 28 00:01:29,470 --> 00:01:33,149 Speaker 1: The Redbirds will play at Marshall in West Virginia, and 29 00:01:33,150 --> 00:01:37,650 Speaker 1: the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington has announced its 2026 season. 30 00:01:37,870 --> 00:01:41,389 Speaker 1: This marks the second year under artistic director Robert Quinlan 31 00:01:41,389 --> 00:01:43,349 Speaker 1: and the festival's 49th season. 32 00:01:43,879 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 1: The lineup includes Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and The Two 33 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:50,730 Speaker 1: Gentlemen of Verona, along with the Pulitzer Prize winning American 34 00:01:50,730 --> 00:01:53,970 Speaker 1: classic Our Town. It's the first time the festival will 35 00:01:53,970 --> 00:01:57,269 Speaker 1: produce an American classic. Previews begin in June and run 36 00:01:57,269 --> 00:02:00,830 Speaker 1: through July and August, with all three shows performed in repertory. 37 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:04,870 Speaker 1: A free 40 minute interpretation, Get Set, Romeo and Juliet, 38 00:02:05,010 --> 00:02:07,690 Speaker 1: will be performed on the festival grounds at Ewing Manor 39 00:02:07,690 --> 00:02:09,770 Speaker 1: for young audiences. I'm Charlie.