Unit 5

Public school educators got some of what they wanted in the new state budget, but McLean County superintendents say there are still some issues left unresolved — such as transportation costs.

WGLT spoke with retiring teachers and staff from Bloomington High School, Tri-Valley Elementary School and Grove Elementary School.

The district's phone policy was updated in a revision to Unit 5’s student behavior code.

Carl's Pro Band in Bloomington is closing as co-owner Carl Thacker retires. Assets are being taken over by The Music Shoppe, now Bloomington-Normal's only music store.

The revenue from the countywide sales tax will help to pay the debt off, but that will not roll in before the summer when repairs are most needed.

Rules regarding cell phone use in school varies by district, and sometimes even by school, across McLean County. The Illinois Senate has passed a bill aimed at ending phone use during class instruction.

A food distribution that serves hundreds of Bloomington-Normal residents each month is ending.

The new sales tax takes effect July 1. Earning around 53% of the vote, the referendum was one of several factors contributing to an increased voter turnout compared to previous municipal elections.

A Trump administration effort to remove the federal government from wide swaths of American life continues to spread. Libraries and museums in Bloomington-Normal and around Illinois also will feel the impact.

The Twin City school districts have added transparency dashboards on their websites to show where funding would be spent if the new sales tax is approved April 1.