WGLT.org’s most-read stories of the year include reporting about Bloomington-Normal’s largest employers, coverage of local tragedies that shook the community, and heartwarming stories about finding love and opening a new business.
1. State Farm rolls out voluntary employee exit program
In late summer, Bloomington-Normal’s largest employer informed employees of a new voluntary exit program, its first since 2017. “These changes are part of our continued efforts to shape a stronger, more flexible organization for the future," a State Farm spokesperson said. The company wasn't saying when staff changes may be coming and how many jobs could be eliminated.
2. After getting millions in tax breaks, Rivian now won't say how many people work in Normal
Rivian is no longer sharing publicly how many people work at its Normal manufacturing plant – a change in longstanding practice for an electric automaker that’s received millions of dollars in publicly funded tax breaks. And evidence suggests Rivian’s headcount in Normal is much lower than previously thought. Rivian makes electric trucks, SUVs and delivery vans in Normal.
3. Illinois Attorney General sues State Farm over homeowner insurance data
State Farm faced scrutiny from political leaders, including Gov. JB Pritzker, this year over its homeowners’ insurance rate increases in Illinois. In October, Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit against State Farm alleging it has not complied with a regulatory examination. Raoul’s office said the Illinois Department of Illinois was seeking ZIP code-level nationwide data about State Farm’s policies, including premiums collected, the types of policy coverage and insurance limits, and the number of claims against the policy. Raoul claimed that State Farm violated Illinois insurance code by refusing to provide the data. State Farm said the lawsuit is without merit and "has nothing to do with Illinois customers or the cost of their insurance."
4. One person shot, injured during student group's event at ISU's Bone Student Center
The Illinois State University campus was on high alert on a Sunday night in April after shots rang out at a sorority event at the Bone Student Center. The shots were fired during a fight in the entryway outside of the event. Police quickly identified their suspect – a 19-year-old from Chicago – but he wasn’t apprehended until June.
5. Junior high student among the four found dead at a Bloomington home
A triple murder-suicide in February stunned the community, especially because one of the victims was a 13-year-old Bloomington Junior High student. Authorities said the killer was the boy’s mother’s boyfriend. It was one of Bloomington-Normal’s worst mass killings in decades.
6. Students can soon earn automatic admission to state's universities, hoping to keep more in Illinois
Lawmakers passed a bill allowing high school and community college students in Illinois to earn automatic admission to most state public universities based on their GPA — without even having to apply. WGLT talked to the lawmakers who worked on the bill. The direct-admissions program later launched as One Click College Admit.
7. B-N native Denny Matthews, 'Voice of the Royals,' to say 'I do' for the first time at 83
Bloomington-Normal native Denny Matthews, the Hall of Fame broadcaster and longtime "Voice of the Royals," married his partner Amy Baker on Nov. 15 at Kauffman Stadium. It marks the first marriage for both Matthews, who turned 83 the day before the ceremony, and Baker, who first met the broadcaster 17 years ago at a dental office. The celebration featured a relaxed ballpark theme, with guests and the wedding party wearing Royals gear and enjoying classic stadium food.
8. Authorities accuse Monster Pawn owners of organized retail theft ring
Authorities in January alleged three pawn shops in Bloomington-Normal were part of an organized retail theft ring that allegedly bought and sold stolen goods still in their original packaging. Investigators got help from some of America’s largest retailers — which also were the victims of the alleged crimes. The criminal cases are still pending.
9. 15-year-old identified as suspect fatally shot by police in Bloomington
Video shows Bloomington Police officers spent 10 minutes pleading with a 15-year-old to drop a gun before fatally shooting him when the confrontation escalated. The McLean County state's attorney says the officers were legally justified in using deadly force. The teenager was carrying a realistic-looking fake handgun – indistinguishable from the real thing.
10. Bloomington woman plans to open inclusive Farmhouse child care center
Construction is well underway at The Farmhouse Early Learning and Development Center at GE and Hershey roads. Molly Robinson, who has run her own home-based daycare for over 20 years, said it’ll be an inclusive child care center that will expand options for families with special needs. And her jump in capacity targets Bloomington-Normal’s need for more child care options.
