This week on Sunshine Strategies Radio, Jen McMillin takes a trip to Wrigley Field — and comes home thinking about the Savannah Bananas. It's a story about joy, community, and what happens when institutions forget who they're really for. Along the way: Logan County's data center showdown moves toward a full board vote; two Normal firefighters receive Illinois's highest honor for a heartbreaking act of bravery; Decatur's Transfer House gets a limited-edition tribute; a decade-old community garden celebrates in Monticello; and May Days is back in Clinton. Democracy, like baseball, works best when everyone feels welcome — and this week's stories prove it.

Sunshine Strategies Radio covers local news across Macon, Piatt, DeWitt, Logan, McLean, and Christian Counties in central Illinois.

Macon County

• History of the Heartland (Transfer House models): https://www.historyoftheheartland.org
• Decatur Memorial Foundation Nursing Scholars Program: https://www.decaturmemorial.org/foundation

Logan County

• Logan County Board meeting info: https://www.co.logan.il.us
• America's Favorite Teacher — Vote for Tricia Campbell: (voting link — check show notes for current URL)

DeWitt County

• May Days Festival, Clinton IL: (check Clinton city/chamber site for details)
• Clinton Chamber of Commerce: https://www.clintonilchamber.com

McLean County

• Illinois Fire Service Medal of Valor: https://www.ilfirechief.org
• Route 66 Bike & Pedestrian Path / Illinois Commerce Commission: https://www.icc.illinois.gov

Piatt County

• Monticello Area Community Garden: (local parks & rec or city site)
• Rooted & Rising — Piatt County Women's Giving Circle: https://www.heartofillinois.org

Christian County

• Taylorville Daily News (Park Board / bike route coverage): https://www.taylorvilledailynews.com
• Lincoln Prairie Trails Conservancy: (search lincolnprairietrails.org)

This week on Sunshine Strategies Radio, Jen McMillin reflects on peonies, neglected places, and what it really means to “tend” to a community — from democracy to downtowns to the people around us.

🌸 In this episode:
• Decatur breaks ground on the new Clubhouse at Scovill Acres for seniors
• A historic downtown Decatur building gets new life with planned apartments
• Logan County’s controversial $5 billion data center proposal moves into another heated phase
• Mount Pulaski teacher Tricia Campbell reaches the national top 5 in America’s Favorite Teacher
• Clinton Lake fishing season heats up in DeWitt County
• Central Illinois dust storms remind everyone to stay weather aware
• Normal West principal Angie Codron wins a 2026 Golden Apple Award
• Community events, conservation programs, and Mother’s Day weekend happenings across Central Illinois

This week’s episode is about roots, resilience, and showing up — because surviving isn’t the same as thriving.

☀ Sunshine Strategies Radio covers Macon, Piatt, DeWitt, Logan, McLean, and Christian Counties with family-friendly local news, civic engagement, and stories that matter.

#CentralIllinois #IllinoisNews #DecaturIL #BloomingtonNormal #LoganCounty #Community #LocalNews #SunshineStrategies #CivicEngagement #Gardening #Democracy

Links:

https://www.wandtv.com/news/new-clubhouse-at-scovill-acres-breaks-ground-expanding-services-for-decatur-seniors/article_32ad5cad-2a02-4602-a398-21a830eb38ea.html

https://www.foxillinois.com/news/local/no-new-moratorium-but-no-data-center-either-for-logan-county/article_2feb7f42-1597-45aa-af0e-404b38d028bd.html

https://www.wandtv.com/news/education/logan-county-teacher-in-top-5-for-national-americas-favorite-teacher-contest/article_e840188a-6eb0-4f15-abec-6fe5fea46a38.html

https://taylorvilledailynews.com/local-news/915214

https://www.wandtv.com/weather/dust-storm-warning-issued-across-parts-of-central-illinois/article_fbc66dde-4971-49ec-be85-d92ed2f2c917.html

This week, Jen checks in on the ISU strike now in its fourth week — the longest in university history — with spring commencement days away and no resolution on the horizon. She also reflects on local accountability, a visit to a DeWitt County cemetery, and what it means to govern without gatekeeping.

County-by-county news covers Workers Memorial Day in Decatur, Millikin baseball's conference title, the Duck Derby fundraiser for the Children's Museum of Illinois, CAPCIL's 60th anniversary, a free veterans art program in Lincoln, and a milestone moment in Taylorville as Christian County welcomes its first CASA child advocates. Plus: more storms hit the region, and the Medicaid funding fight in Springfield gets closer to home.

Your Central Illinois wrap for the week of April 28, 2026.

A powerful tornado hits Bloomington-Normal — and just five days later, the Rivian plant it damaged is back up and running, rolling new vehicles off the line. That resilience sets the tone for this week’s episode.

We break down storm recovery across McLean County, a major housing shortage impacting Illinois families, and a bold new approach to building “missing middle” homes that could help rebuild the middle class.

Plus:
• The ongoing Illinois State University workers strike
• A police incident and community updates in Decatur
• Local events, school changes, and new recovery resources
• A statewide campground reservation system upgrade
• What proposed Medicaid cuts could mean for rural Illinois
• A simple but powerful new autism safety program in Piatt County

From challenges to comebacks, this week’s stories highlight what makes Central Illinois strong — community, resilience, and the work of rebuilding what matters most.

👉 Subscribe for weekly, family-friendly news that actually affects your life.

This week on Sunshine Strategies Radio, we tackle one of the hardest parenting questions in today’s headlines: What do we tell our kids about the Epstein files?

Instead of offering cynicism, we focus on teaching character over power, civic engagement over apathy, compassion with critical thinking, body autonomy, and moral courage — because raising strong, discerning humans is how we confront darkness without becoming it.

Then we turn to our Central Illinois Weekly Roundup: a clear-eyed summary of President Trump’s State of the Union and what it means locally, a deep dive into why data centers are eyeing Logan County and the long-term tradeoffs communities must weigh, a celebration of FFA Week and the leadership pipeline growing in Logan, Christian, Macon, Piatt, DeWitt, and McLean Counties, and a reminder that staying informed and showing up to public meetings is how strong communities stay strong.

This week on Sunshine Strategies Radio, we explore what truly makes a business “American” in today’s global economy — arguing that it’s less about headquarters, supply chains, or shareholder maps and more about behavior: investing locally, paying taxes, supporting workers, and contributing to the democratic project. Then we turn to Central Illinois, celebrating new Birth to Five grants supporting early childhood education, breaking down Illinois’ proposed $56 billion state budget in plain language for families across Logan, Christian, Macon, Piatt, DeWitt, and McLean counties, and spotlighting SHOW Bus for quietly connecting neighbors to opportunity. It’s a conversation about responsibility, community, and how everyday civic participation — from dinner-table budget talks to showing up locally — keeps Main Street and democracy strong.

Central Illinois families, this week’s Sunshine Strategies Radio brings you the stories shaping our communities — from a powerful reminder about roadside safety in Macon County to a clear, family-friendly guide to the upcoming Illinois 15th Congressional primary. We’ll highlight neighbors strengthening community life in Piatt County, share a simple at-home activity to help your children discover their roots, and offer steady perspective for the winter weeks ahead. If you’re looking for trustworthy local insight without the noise, you’re in the right place.

☀️ Sunrise Brief: Honoring Chris Moore's Resilience

• WAND News Report: Detailed account of Chris Moore's 2017 hit-and-run incident and his ongoing advocacy for roadside safety.🔗 Read the article

• WAND News Video: Visual coverage of Chris Moore's story.🔗 Watch the video

• Ballotpedia Overview: Comprehensive information on the 2026 IL-15th Congressional District election, including candidate lists and election dates.🔗 View on Ballotpedia

• Mahomet Daily Voter Guide: Insights into the Republican and Democratic primary candidates for IL-15th.🔗 Read the guide

• Daily Eastern News – Randy Raley: Profile on Democratic candidate Randy Raley.🔗 Read the article

• Daily Eastern News – Ryan Tebrugge: Profile on Republican candidate Ryan Tebrugge.🔗 Read the article

• League of Women Voters – Republican Forum: Details on the Republican candidate forum scheduled for February 12, 2026.🔗 Event information

• League of Women Voters – Democratic Forum: Details on the Democratic candidate forum scheduled for February 17, 2026.🔗 Event information

• The County Chronicle: Overview of Piatt County Association for Home and Community Education's activities and events.🔗 Read the article

• While there isn't a specific link provided for this segment, families are encouraged to explore resources like FamilySearch or Ancestry to begin their family tree projects.

• Republican Candidate Forum: February 12, 2026, at 6:30 PM – First Christian Church, Quincy, IL.🔗 Event details

🗳️ Civic Simplified: Spotlight on the IL-15th Congressional Primary🏡 Community Spotlight: Piatt County AHCE's Ongoing Initiatives🌱 Small Action of the Week: Family Tree Exploration📅 Upcoming EventsDemocratic Candidate Forum: February 17, 2026, at 6:30 PM – First Christian Church, Quincy, IL.🔗 Event details

In this episode of Sunshine Strategies Radio, we sit down with Kyle Nudo to talk about his campaign for Illinois’s 15th Congressional District.

Nudo discusses the experiences that shaped his decision to run for office, the priorities driving his campaign, and his vision for representing the diverse communities across Central and Southern Illinois. He shares his perspectives on key issues facing the district, including economic growth, education, infrastructure, and the long-term vitality of rural and small-town communities.

Whether you are a longtime voter or engaging in the process for the first time, this episode offers an opportunity to learn more about one of the candidates asking for your support.

Informed citizens are at the heart of a thriving democracy — and every conversation helps build a more engaged community.