Politics and Government

Billions of dollars in wind farm projects all over Illinois are on hold, including two projects in McLean County, two in Peoria County, and one in Tazewell County.

Mayor Chris Koos said he’s pleased the firefighters’ union is willing to have conversations about the fire service, and the future of the department outside of collective bargaining with the town.

Electricity markets are volatile again this year and that will cost Bloomington-Normal residents on their heating and cooling bills. For the last two years, the so-called municipal aggregated rate negotiated by a group of cities and towns has seen a big increase — 30% this year alone.

As the City of Bloomington considers how to get more water in the future, planners could look to the city of Joliet for an example. One of the options under study by Bloomington would be for the city to build a pipeline to the Illinois River.

The website for McLean County Government just got a lot easier to use for people with disabilities. County board chair Elizabeth Johnston said a new module can read PDF documents aloud, and even interpret technical drawings like plans to change the design of an intersection.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S. war with Iran has sent energy prices way up. Something similar happened back in 1973 during the OPEC oil embargo. Find out more in this episode of McHistory.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said he favors an approach to dealing with the looming Social Security insolvency that takes at least some of the political gamesmanship out of the issue.

The Central Illinois Regional Airport is giving a big thank-you to Congressman Darin LaHood for coming through with $1.5 million in grant money.

Data centers are getting a lot of attention in Bloomington. In Normal, not so much — both in inquiries by business and concerns from the public.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin doesn't think the current version of the Farm Bill will fly. During a news conference in Normal, he said the House version will not get his vote.