1 00:00:00,370 --> 00:00:04,529 Speaker 1: From the WGLT newsroom, I'm Charlie Schlenker. Governor JB Pritzker 2 00:00:04,530 --> 00:00:08,130 Speaker 1: is calling on Congress to pass legislation allowing the year-round 3 00:00:08,130 --> 00:00:12,229 Speaker 1: use of E-15, a blend of ethanol and gasoline. State 4 00:00:12,228 --> 00:00:16,469 Speaker 1: Agriculture Director Jerry Costello says the Republican Congress seems receptive, 5 00:00:16,719 --> 00:00:19,329 Speaker 1: but Congress is saying the right things, but there has 6 00:00:19,329 --> 00:00:23,049 Speaker 1: not been action. Costello believes the holdup is the petroleum 7 00:00:23,049 --> 00:00:25,229 Speaker 1: industry lobbying of congressional members. 8 00:00:25,790 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: Congressman Eric Sorenson is pushing back on the proposed $200 9 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,790 Speaker 1: billion aid package for the war in Iran. The Democrat 10 00:00:32,790 --> 00:00:36,028 Speaker 1: who represents parts of Bloomington Normal, says American families are 11 00:00:36,029 --> 00:00:38,369 Speaker 1: the ones footing the bill. That money isn't just coming 12 00:00:38,369 --> 00:00:43,150 Speaker 1: from our pocketbooks, it's coming from our children's pocketbooks. 13 00:00:43,223 --> 00:00:46,904 Speaker 1: Sorensen says the price tag hits especially hard as everyday 14 00:00:46,904 --> 00:00:50,714 Speaker 1: costs keep climbing. That is a tall price to pay 15 00:00:50,944 --> 00:00:55,104 Speaker 1: when the American people can't pay their bills. Sorensen has 16 00:00:55,104 --> 00:00:57,985 Speaker 1: been vocal about the squeeze on working families, pointing to 17 00:00:57,985 --> 00:01:00,814 Speaker 1: rising grocery, utility, and gas prices. 18 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:04,759 Speaker 1: The Illinois State University women's basketball team will play for 19 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: the championship of the WNIT tomorrow. ISU coach Kristin Gillespie 20 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:13,000 Speaker 1: says it's been a special year for Redbird Athletics after 21 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:16,099 Speaker 1: the football team's run to the title game in January 22 00:01:16,099 --> 00:01:16,769 Speaker 1: and the men's 23 00:01:17,059 --> 00:01:18,899 Speaker 1: going to the NIT semifinals. 24 00:01:18,989 --> 00:01:22,459 Speaker 2: That's what makes ISU so special is like there is 25 00:01:22,459 --> 00:01:26,739 Speaker 2: a genuine love for each other. Like we support each other. 26 00:01:26,819 --> 00:01:28,860 Speaker 2: We show up, we know how hard it is 27 00:01:28,860 --> 00:01:29,300 Speaker 2: to win. 28 00:01:29,459 --> 00:01:33,139 Speaker 1: The Redbirds will play at Marshall in West Virginia, and 29 00:01:33,139 --> 00:01:37,639 Speaker 1: the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington has announced its 2026 season. 30 00:01:37,860 --> 00:01:41,379 Speaker 1: This marks the second year under artistic director Robert Quinlan 31 00:01:41,379 --> 00:01:43,339 Speaker 1: and the festival's 49th season. 32 00:01:43,849 --> 00:01:47,119 Speaker 1: The lineup includes Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and The Two 33 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:50,709 Speaker 1: Gentlemen of Verona, along with the Pulitzer Prize winning American 34 00:01:50,709 --> 00:01:53,970 Speaker 1: classic Our Town. It's the first time the festival will 35 00:01:53,970 --> 00:01:57,250 Speaker 1: produce an American classic. Previews begin in June and run 36 00:01:57,250 --> 00:02:00,769 Speaker 1: through July and August, with all three shows performed in repertory. 37 00:02:01,050 --> 00:02:04,860 Speaker 1: A free 40 minute interpretation, Get Set, Romeo and Juliet, 38 00:02:05,010 --> 00:02:07,650 Speaker 1: will be performed on the festival grounds at Ewing Manor 39 00:02:07,650 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: for young audiences. I'm Charlie Schlenk.