Affordable Housing

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood is voicing full-throated support for the massive Republican tax and spending bill, despite past opposition to Medicaid cuts and concern over the mounting federal budget deficit. LaHood represents parts of Bloomington-Normal.

The leaders of the Bloomington-Normal Community Land Trust say they've made lots of progress since forming two years ago. They plan to buy and at least begin rehabbing their first home sometime in 2026.

Illinois GOP lawmakers from Central Illinois held a townhall meeting this week following the end of the Spring session. The town hall took place online on Sen. Sally Turner’s Facebook page. Turner was accompanied by Rep. Bill Hauter and Rep. Regan Deering, who both represent parts of McLean County.

With a more reliable incentive plan for developers, the council is hoping to bring in multiple types of housing the city needs.

Economic development officials in Bloomington-Normal sometimes express frustration at their inability to gain consensus on the importance of addressing a housing shortage. Here's how the skeptics' argument goes.

Bloomington’s newest council member says affordable housing and infrastructure are two of his top priorities for the city.

The housing shortage in Bloomington-Normal is one of several factors that, if unchecked, could lead to economic stagnation, according to the agency charged with spurring the economy in the Twin Cities. There are signs it's already sapping growth.

As new proposals to ease the Bloomington-Normal housing shortage move forward this spring and summer, city and town council members will weigh in on what they think. There’s already diversity of thought among council members on the issue.

The McLean County Board will change to a Democratic majority next month. That hasn’t happened before. Democrats and Republicans are forecasting nuanced changes in how the railroad runs.

The Bloomington City Council on Monday approved an agreement with a financial advising firm to help the city manage potential debt, including from the construction of a new Public Works campus.