Housing

Republican Jerry Klinkner is challenging incumbent William Bessler, a Democrat, for the seat to serve District 4 on the McLean County Board. The candidates agree on cost of living as a key issue, but differ in how to achieve lower costs.

Local homelessness, affordable housing, racial disparities, and the planned solution.

Bloomington leaders and representatives from construction and engineering firms working on the project “broke ground” at a ceremony Tuesday for Empire Flats, though construction is well underway.

Illinois State University students are tuning out fire alarm evacuation orders and taping over smoke detectors in campus dorms due to frequent fire alarms, raising concerns about whether students will respond when there is a real emergency.

Sue’s Landing is a planned development meant to house those with severe mental illnesses. Center for Human Services staff will help those residents attend their psychiatric appointments, take their medication, and budget properly.

The Bloomington-Normal Community Land Trust purchased its first home July 28 after three years of fundraising, volunteer work and informing the public on land trusts.

Representatives from five McLean County housing and service outreach organizations attended the Continuum of Care conference on Thursday in Bloomington. They spoke about their successes, challenges and what the future of housing looks like.

The proposal calls for a $35 million, 203,000-square-foot building on the Beaufort Street side of Uptown Circle, as well as a $25 million, 126,000-square-foot building on the North Street side.

The Town of Normal is looking to strengthen its code of conduct in and around Uptown Station, which has seen an increase in homeless people gathering on the property in recent months.

With the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, Congress approved the first major housing legislation in three decades. Illinois housing experts react to what that means for Central Illinois.