The town council will vote Monday on a plan to extend the moratorium on accepting any data center permits through May 2027.

Coming in at just over $150 million, the balanced budget is $5.9 million more than 2026, but lowers the property tax rate slightly from $0.83 to $0.81, amounting to a decrease of $15.86 for the owner of a $255,000 home.

The mayor of Bloomington said the city and police department must work to regain public trust in the wake of the abrupt retirement of Assistant Chief Paul Williams. Williams was involved in a questionable traffic stop that sparked a lawsuit against Williams and the city.

The three wells to be used for carbon sequestration are just inside the eastern border of McLean County and about 5 miles west of Gibson City. Environmental advocates say that's too close to a fresh water source which replenishes the Mahomet Aquifer.

The Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District will fix the longstanding bad water situation in the Colonial Meadows subdivision on the far east side of Bloomington. The water reclamation district also will spend $2 million on a new exhibit at the Children's Discovery Museum. The district board has approved borrowing up to $65 million. And BNWRD will probably raise its property tax rate to the maximum allowed.

The plan approved by the Uptown Design Review Commission asks for a waiver to enclose the museum's open arcade on the west side. The museum also wants space to expand its water table exhibit.

Deputy City Manager Sue McLaughlin reported Bloomington crews have hauled off 2,373 loads of brush.

Mike Matejka is the only person from outside Chicago honored by Illinois Humanities this year, given the Public Humanities Award recognizing community leaders who further culture and civic engagement.

After a two-year legislative process to create the Office of Statewide Public Defender, the Illinois Supreme Court is finally moving toward hiring for the position.

Among those who spoke were Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule, Provost Ani Yazedjian, and dean of the college Tom Keyser.