Unit 5 superintendent Kristen Weikle said the district's overall head count is stable at about 12,300, but a growing number of those children lack permanent housing. The district is experiencing a near 10% increase in homeless students this school year.

Salvation Army purchased three apartment buildings in south Bloomington in mid-July to convert into housing for homeless veterans. But in doing so, the Christian-based homeless services nonprofit is forcing current tenants out.

McLean County Center for Human Services is the new collaborative applicant for the Central Illinois Continuum of Care — a federal program aimed at ending homelessness. CEO Joan Hartman said she's passionate about the work and already has big plans in mind.

Bloomington City Manager Jeff Jurgens says people cannot sleep along Constitution Trail. He tells WGLT there have been "numerous complaints" and it's a public safety concern. But, many have nowhere to go.

A third candidate has entered the race for mayor of Bloomington. Ward 6 Council member Cody Hendricks made his announcement at the electrical workers union hall on Tuesday. He joins current Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe and former State Rep. Dan Brady in the race.

Rural homelessness is on the rise and not all counties have the tools they need to help people find permanent supportive housing. In Central Illinois, most rural counties don't have homeless shelters.

Bloomington and municipalities nationwide can decide how they want to shape policy around homelessness following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Friday. The city has yet to determine how — or if — it will change current regulations, which allow fines for those sleeping on public property.

Normal City Manager Pam Reece said she will recommend creating a local grocery tax once the state tax goes away.

WGLT hosted the event at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center in response to community housing demands that have escalated in recent years due, in part, to job expansions at electric vehicle company Rivian, candy maker Ferrero and other employers.

Project Oz has existed in Bloomington for just over half a century, and it’s the only social service organization in the county dedicated to helping youth and adolescents — ages 10 to 23 — facing a housing crisis.