American Rescue Plan

The city of Bloomington has awarded grants to more than three dozen small businesses for various rehabilitation projects. The money comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The city got $13.4 million from the COVID relief bill.

The Town of Normal is helping the National League of Cities observe its centennial. A century ago, most mid-sized and small cities and towns were agriculture support centers, in essence market towns.

Labor leader Mike Matejka returned late last week from a trip to the White House as part of a delegation invited to discuss infrastructure investments in Illinois and Indiana.

The Bloomington City Council voted Monday to take the next step in a major reorganization of city space needs, approving a more than half-million-dollar office-space remodel.

Bloomington’s O’Neil Park and Pool project won’t be ready to open this summer as originally planned.City parks and recreation director Eric Veal says construction lost a few months to unexpected on-site problems with the ground.

The Normal Town Council heard from staff Monday about possible uses for the plaza surrounding the planned $27 million Uptown underpass — including one idea of extending the Children’s Discovery Museum exhibit space across the green area.

The Bloomington City Council on Monday started to hone in possible projects for its $13.4 million in COVID-relief funds, specifically focusing on infrastructure, and creating grant opportunities for small business owners, nonprofits, and certain homeowners.

Bloomington City Council members stressed the need for funding roads and sewers with federal American Rescue Plan Act (APRA) money when they discussed the issue last fall.

Eleven rural communities in McLean County will share in federal COVID relief money to repair or replace aging infrastructure.

Lawmakers and hotel managers announced a new package of bills on Tuesday they hope will revitalize the struggling hospitality industry in Illinois.