☀ SUNSHINE STRATEGIES RADIO
Weekly News Recap — Week of April 28, 2026
Macon · Piatt · DeWitt · Logan · McLean · Christian Counties
COLD OPEN / HOOK
A union strike is now in its fourth week — the longest in Illinois State University’s history — with graduation weekend days away and no deal on the table. Meanwhile, across the region, more storms rolled through Central Illinois Monday, another community welcomed its first-ever volunteer child advocates, and a rubber duck race is raising money for kids in Decatur this weekend.
Welcome to Sunshine Strategies Radio — your family-friendly source for news that matters here in Central Illinois and beyond. I’m Jen McMillin. Grab your lemonade. Let’s get into it.
Before we get into our local news of the week, I have to talk about something.
Friends, I’m of two minds about the upcoming midterms.
Locally? In small but real ways, I’m seeing citizens look up the political ladder — and when they don’t like what they see, they’re taking action. That gives me genuine hope.
But y’all. Did you catch Ken Martin gatekeeping the post-election report from Kamala Harris’ campaign? His Pod Save America interview was a masterclass in talking down to voters — not just Democrats, *every* kind of voter. He kept insisting that asking for even a summary of their findings was a *distraction.*
I’m calling BS.
*Not* showing us why the Democratic Party lost — that’s the distraction. Sitting on that report hamstrings candidates trying to win against already long odds. It freezes the conversations we desperately need, up and down the whole system.
So how do we push back against gatekeeping? For me, it starts with being genuinely skeptical of both parties — and working locally. It is *real hard* to gatekeep and demean people when they’re standing right in front of you.
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As part of reconnecting with my Central Illinois community, I recently rejoined Rotary in Clinton. Last Tuesday, I went looking for a place to work in DeWitt County before our weekly meeting — and I ended up in DeWitt Cemetery, near Clinton Lake.
The ground’s still pretty wet, so I needed high ground and some sun. That’s where I met the neighbors.
First, Edward Day Sr. — a veteran of the Revolutionary War, right there in the row across from me. Then I looked up who I was actually sitting with: Judge William Lafferty and his wife Amanda.
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Born in 1806 in Ohio, Judge Lafferty served as DeWitt County judge through the 1830s and ‘40s. That position — then and now — is about being a true community stakeholder. Judge Lafferty would have witnessed deaths, settled disputes, and helped dedicate new businesses. Our county judges were wired into what was actually happening to citizens and voters — and they were held accountable by election every four years.
So when I left Judge and Mrs. Lafferty and their contemporaries, it felt exactly right that I’d get to sit next to a *current* DeWitt County judge at my Rotary meeting that afternoon. My new friend — still showing up, still accountable, still part of the community. Not gatekeeping. Not demeaning. Just sharing his ketchup and his conversation.
Ken Martin should stop by sometime.
He’d learn a great deal.
McLEAN COUNTY: THE ISU STRIKE ENTERS WEEK FOUR
The AFSCME Local 1110 strike at Illinois State University is now in its fourth week — the longest work stoppage in the university’s history — and the situation has escalated on multiple fronts.
About 350 building, dining, and grounds workers have been on the picket line since April 8. Last week, a McLean County judge denied the union’s request for a temporary restraining order that would have removed the outside contractors ISU brought in to cover essential services. Judge Rebecca Foley sided with the university, ruling the Illinois Employment of Strikebreakers Act does not apply to public universities.
But the union isn’t backing down. They delivered a petition signed by more than 6,000 people — mostly students and their parents — to ISU President Tarhule’s office. Governor Pritzker weighed in publicly for the first time, saying: “ISU’s management leadership should be at the bargaining table. That’s what should happen. It needs to happen ASAP.” The university filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, with a hearing set for May 29.
Here’s the human side of this: these workers haven’t had a pay raise in nearly two years. Many start at $16.60 an hour. The union revealed that ISU is paying outside contractors $38 to $175 per hour for the same work — far above what the striking employees are even asking for.
ISU’s spring commencement is May 8 and 9. Thousands of families will arrive on campus. Move-out day is May 9. We’ll be watching closely.
Sources: WGLT, WMBD/CIProud, Vidette Online, AFSCME Council 31
Also in McLean County:
The Red Carpet Corridor Festival is back this weekend, celebrating 100 years of Route 66 with events at stops across 15 communities — several of them right here in McLean County. If you’re looking for something fun and historic to do, this is a great one.
And a happy note for Decatur’s neighbors to the north: the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market opens Saturday. Local vendors, fresh goods, and a chance to reconnect with Central Illinois growers.
Source: The Pantagraph
MACON COUNTY: DECATUR UPDATES
Workers Memorial Day honored downtown
On April 28, union members and community leaders gathered at the Workers’ Memorial on the Macon County Courthouse lawn to mark Workers’ Memorial Day. Bagpipes played as the Mid-Illinois Labor Council read the names of 646 Macon County workers killed on the job over the years. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza was the guest speaker.
Two new names were etched into the monument this year, including IBEW 146 member Samuel Ward, an electrician killed at the Clinton Power Station last November. His name matters. So does the reminder that job safety is still something we have to fight for.
Source: Decatur Tribune
Millikin baseball clinches the title
Here’s some great local sports news: the Millikin University Big Blue baseball team clinched the CCIW Regular Season Championship with a 15–3 win over North Park on April 26. They finish conference play 15–5 and will host the CCIW Tournament right here in Decatur, May 6–8. Go Big Blue.
Source: Millikin University Athletics / CCIW
Duck Derby this Sunday — May 3
If you’re looking for a family-friendly way to support a great cause this weekend: the Children’s Museum of Illinois is hosting its annual Duck Derby on Sunday, May 3, from noon to 5 p.m. Rubber duck races, a bounce house, activities, and a $3,000 grand prize. You don’t even have to be there to win — so buy a duck and cheer from home if you’d like.
Source: Decatur Tribune / Children’s Museum of Illinois
DeWITT COUNTY: CLINTON AND COMMUNITY
Livestock in limbo
The DeWitt County Animal Control has been caring for livestock animals recently — and it’s sparked a conversation about what county statutes actually allow in terms of housing and caring for animals in need. Worth watching as county leaders work through what the right policy looks like.
Source: DeWitt Daily News
Clinton’s community momentum continues
The CH Moore Homestead is open for the season and busy — if you haven’t made it out yet, Lincoln historian Guy Fraker is returning this spring to speak about President Lincoln and his relationship with the Declaration of Independence. In early June, they’ll welcome the author of “Images of America: DeWitt County” for a book signing. Both free and worth your time.
And the DeWitt County Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) coordinator is continuing their outreach — connecting people dealing with substance use with resources, and raising awareness about Naloxone, the overdose reversal medication. Find them on Facebook or through the Piatt County Mental Health Center.
LOGAN COUNTY: LINCOLN LOOKS AHEAD
CAPCIL turns 60 — open houses this week
The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois — CAPCIL — is celebrating 60 years of service this week with countywide open houses. If your family has ever benefited from community action programs, or you want to learn more about how to get involved, this is a great week to connect with them.
Source: Lincoln Daily News
Free art program for veterans this summer
Heartland Community College’s Lincoln campus is offering a free CreatiVets art course this summer for veterans, caregivers, and military spouses — with all costs covered through a nonprofit partnership. If you or someone you love served and is looking for a meaningful creative outlet, look this one up.
Source: The Pantagraph / Lincoln Daily News
Run for Honor 5K coming up
The first annual “Run for Honor” 5K walk/run has been announced to benefit the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight — a program that takes veterans to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. at no cost. Keep an eye on Lincoln Daily News for dates and registration.
Source: Lincoln Daily News
CHRISTIAN COUNTY: TAYLORVILLE NOTES
Heartland CASA swears in first advocates
This is a milestone worth celebrating. Heartland CASA swore in Christian County’s first eight volunteer child advocates at the courthouse this week. CASA volunteers represent the interests of children in the foster care and child welfare system — showing up in court, building relationships, and making sure a child’s voice is heard.
Starting from zero to eight advocates is not nothing. It’s everything to those kids. If you’d like to learn more or become an advocate yourself, visit maconcountycasa.org.
Source: Breeze Courier / Taylorville Daily News
Taylorville Park District moving forward
The Park District Board welcomed two new members — Luke Millan and Ryan Gatton — and a new Recreation Director, Evan Mitchell, at its April 27 meeting. They’re also pursuing a United States Tennis Association grant that could bring up to $105,000 toward improvements to local tennis courts, with plans for youth and adult programming to follow.
The pool project remains on hold while they wait for permits from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Source: Breeze Courier
Christian County CEO students wrap up strong year
Students in the Christian County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program wrapped up a successful year of founding, pitching, and running their businesses. These are high schoolers building real skills — congratulations to all of them.
Source: Taylorville Daily News
ACROSS THE REGION: STORMS AND SPRINGFIELD
Another round of storms hit Central Illinois
Monday brought another significant storm system through the region. Wind gusts over 50 mph, hail, and heavy rain caused power outages across multiple counties — including nearly 500 customers in DeWitt and Piatt counties, over 1,500 in Logan County, and around 300 in Macon County. DeLand-Weldon schools in Piatt County took damage and had to close on Tuesday.
If you’re still dealing with storm-related damage or insurance questions, reach out to your county emergency management office. And as always — if you see a flooded road, please turn around. Don’t drown.
Source: WAND-TV
Medicaid: The fight continues in Springfield
The Illinois legislative session is in its final stretch, and Medicaid funding is at the center of budget negotiations. Federal changes from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” could cost Illinois between $4 and $6 billion a year in Medicaid funding within a few years. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services projects the state could lose as much as $51 billion in total federal Medicaid support over the next decade — with 300,000 to 500,000 residents potentially losing coverage.
Governor Pritzker has ordered state agencies to find 4% in budget reserves. Rural hospitals and counties like ours — which rely on Medicaid more than the state average — are watching closely.
This is not abstract. It affects the clinics, the hospitals, the families, and the neighbors you know.
Source: Capitol News Illinois, NPR Illinois
CLOSING
That’s your Central Illinois wrap for the week of April 28th. From striking workers to new child advocates, from rubber duck races to Route 66 — there’s a lot happening, and all of it matters to the people who call this region home.
Strong communities don’t grow on their own. They need people who pay attention, show up, and share what they know.
Thank you for being one of those people.
If this episode was useful to you, please share it with one neighbor this week — that’s all we ask. And if you have a story tip, a community event, or something happening in your county we should know about, reach out.
I’m Jen McMillin, and this has been Sunshine Strategies Radio. We’ll see you next week.
Script prepared: May 1, 2026
