Regional Media Podcast Network

Russ Hughes and Jennifer Russell brought energy to the Sav-A-Lot Studio on May 30th for The Boiler Shop segment on Wake Up Tri-Counties. Together, they recapped outstanding moments from local baseball, softball, and track teams. Good luck at State, Kewanee High School Boilermakers.

At the Illinois House of Representatives’ annual Memorial Day tribute, lawmakers solemnly honored state soldiers who died in the past year. State Representative Dan Swanson spoke about the significance of Memorial Day, reflecting on the deep impact these losses have on Gold Star families. Swanson also criticized the Chicago Sky WNBA team for remaining in the locker room during the National Anthem, suggesting their actions failed to honor fallen service members. After facing backlash online, the Sky published a Memorial Day message, but further controversy erupted when fans pointed out the team appeared to confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day in their tribute.

Illinois is gearing up for a historic celebration. The state House has adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, led by Representative Dennis Tipsword, officially declaring 2026 as the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Year. The resolution encourages communities, historical societies, and state agencies to plan commemorative events and educational programs throughout the year. The intention is to honor and raise awareness about the rich cultural legacy of the "Mother Road," which played a significant role in both local and national history. Organizers hope the centennial will inspire renewed appreciation for Route 66 and boost tourism across Illinois.

Lyme Disease Awareness is getting extra attention in Illinois. State Representative Dan Swanson’s yearly resolution has been adopted in the House, urging Congress to increase funding for Lyme disease research and a cure. With House Resolution 32, May 2025 will be officially recognized as Lyme Disease Awareness Month across the state. The resolution also encourages the Illinois State Board of Education to implement health education programs, targeting children who are at the greatest risk for tick-borne illnesses. Swanson emphasized the importance of early prevention as cases continue to rise in the region. Lawmakers hope these efforts can help protect families statewide.

Sara Billiet from the Kewanee Public Library joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about summer programs, online services, take-home craft projects, chalk art, and mini libraries in Kewanee Parks. The Kewanee Public Library is bustling with summer activities for all ages. Story Times kick off May 27th, offering interactive sessions for babies through preschoolers every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:15 AM, followed by bubbles, chalk art, and popsicles outside. For those who prefer gentle movement, Chair Yoga with Christy DeSmit is scheduled for Friday, May 30th, at 1 PM—no experience needed. Teens can create a Summer Vision Board on May 30th at 4:15 PM, and homeschoolers are invited to showcase their passions on May 29th. The library’s summer reading program begins May 27th, providing prizes and engaging activities for everyone.

Music lovers, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 31, 2025, as the Doodle Folk Music Festival returns to Bishop Hill, Illinois. The village park will be alive with folk sounds from some of the state’s most celebrated artists, including Barry Cloyd, Buck Halker, Chris Vallillo, and the Bucktown Americana Music Show. A special exhibit on Bishop Hill's own Jonas "Doodle" Danielson will be featured in the park gazebo. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Evening festivities continue at P.L. Johnson’s with a dinner party, available by reservation. More information can be found at bishophillheritage.org.

P.L. Johnson’s is hosting a special dinner party this evening, open exclusively to guests with reservations from 4 to 8 PM. Highlights from the menu include hearty beef bourguignon, flavorful Swedish meatballs, cheese tortellini, and Oskar chicken. Dessert options are sure to tempt guests with choices like pavlova and rich chocolate lava cake. Those interested in securing a table are encouraged to call 309-927-3885 to reserve a spot. With a menu offering a variety of savory and sweet dishes, this event promises an indulgent experience for diners in the area tonight.

The event kicks off at 10 AM with Barry Cloyd performing songs from his ten albums. At 11:30, Buck Halker brings American Coal Miner songs to the stage, covering more than seven decades of music history. After lunch, Chris Vallillo’s afternoon set promises a blend of Midwest tales and masterful bottleneck slide guitar. At 3 PM, the Bucktown Americana Music Show closes out the festival, offering a lively mix of bluegrass, folk, and more.

This free event is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Humanities Council, Galesburg Community Foundation, and the Geneseo Foundation. For more details, you can call 309-927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net. Information about this festival is also posted on www.bishophillheritage.org and the Bishop Hill Heritage Association Facebook page.

State Senator Willie Preston has advanced new legislation aiming to address maternal health disparities among marginalized communities in Illinois. House Bill 2517, which has passed the Senate, seeks to expand implicit bias training for health care workers, with a focus on risk factors affecting Black women, who face a pregnancy-related mortality rate three times higher than white women. The training will cover current death statistics, identify specific risk factors for marginalized groups, and discuss effective medical care plans shown to reduce maternal mortality. The bill now moves forward for further consideration, marking a significant push for equity in maternal health care.

“I am proud to lead the charge in implementing essential implicit bias training in health care surrounding maternal health risks associated with marginalized communities in particular Black communities,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related cause of deaths than white women. I will always advocate for every woman in Illinois to receive adequate, respectful, and dignified health care regardless of their background.”

“This bill is the first step in taking collective action to ensure that we support the future of our daughters and their daughters,” said Preston. “Protecting maternal health care is about simple human rights – and we must protect the rights of all mothers.”

Illinois lawmakers are focusing on gun safety with new legislation led by State Senator Laura Ellman. At a Tuesday press conference, Ellman and advocates highlighted the dangers posed by unsecured firearms, particularly to children and teens. Citing research that links unlocked guns to suicides, accidental shootings, and increased crime, Ellman stressed the need for preventive action. Senate Bill 8 seeks to expand existing laws, currently limited to children under 14, to require safe storage of firearms when any minor could access them. Supporters argue that these changes could save lives and enhance community safety. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

“Unsecured firearms in homes pose serious risks, including unintentional shootings and suicides,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Illinois has seen climbing numbers of firearm-related tragedies involving youth accessing unsecure guns, and our state has a clear need to prioritize preventive efforts.”

“Illinois has an opportunity to take a significant step forward to protect residents and prevent more families from losing their child to unnecessary violence – a tragedy no parent should ever experience,” said Ellman. “This measure is meant to save lives and help communities feel safe.”