Solar Power

A clean audit of the McLean County Mental Health and Public Safety Fund won't wipe away all the disagreements over how the county spends sales tax money shared by Bloomington and Normal.

After a pause, wind farm development could take a step forward in McLean County, according to County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston. A battery energy storage system attached to a wind farm is moving ahead in McLean County.

The ISU Solar Car Team will debut its Mercury 8 car this summer. From a combination of mechanical and electrical work, the car will compete in a 1,500-mile race known as the American Solar Challenge.

Illinois lawmakers unanimously passed a bill during the spring session to make it quicker for schools to get estimates and install solar. Some schools like the Metamora Grade School have been waiting two year to connect their solar panels to the grid.

There has been one permit pulled for the installation of a BESS, at Rivian. It encompasses less than an acre, according to the town planning and zoning department, and would not be visible from a public street.

Republican state Sen. Sally Turner reflects on the late night budget, a pause on gas sales tax, property tax relief, regulating data centers and a pause in data center tax credits.

McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston said there's significant movement on mental health program spending in the county. That comes from sales tax money shared with the county by Bloomington and Normal.

Illinois State University is trying to revive a stalled dorm and dining center project. It also wants to put a solar farm on the land, roofs, and maybe parking structures at its College of Engineering campus on GE Road in Bloomington.

A budget of almost $144.5 million for the 2026 fiscal year was presented to the McLean County Board on Thursday.

The Normal Town Council also approved a solar addition at Heartland Community College, updates to park signage and heard updates on the town's strategic plan.