McLean County

The head of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council has submitted his resignation. Patrick Hoban led the EDC for six years. This opens the door to a broader discussion of the role of the EDC in the Twin Cities.

As spring storm season kicks in for Central Illinois, McLean County agencies have a new tool in place to notify residents of emergencies via their cell phones.

Richard Gaines was convicted by a McLean County jury in 2024. An appellate court has tossed out two of three convictions and sent the case back to McLean County for resentencing.

Though McLean County is not currently considering any proposals for large-scale AI data centers, the county board will consider a zoning amendment at its next meeting to clarify language and application requirements for any future proposal.

Connect Transit announced their fare collection system will go contactless this summer. Community members can provide feedback at engagement sessions on March 5, 6 and 12.

The new director will need to pick up the responsibilities including managing the department, its programs, budgets, large-scale initiatives and public engagement.

The Bloomington Normal Economic Development Council has three infrastructure projects and one workforce development program earmarked for a request for funding by Congress and federal agencies as part of the annual One Voice trip to Washington.

A program that works to reduce caseloads at Bloomington-Normal emergency rooms and the McLean County jail has seen significant growth in the last two years. It's the Frequent User System Engagement, or FUSE program.

Town of Normal staff are signaling a potential need for significant rate increases in several programs including water and sewer, recycling, landscape waste and trash pickups. City Manager Pam Reece said a need for new sewage lift stations and cost recovery for hauling will require a council policy discussion.

In 2025, the actions of President Donald Trump’s second term saw significant cuts of various funding sources for McLean County programs. A new community advocacy group wants to document the totality of these cuts in their initiative known as The Documentation Project.