Business and Economy

The coronavirus has cut deeply into the Bloomington-Normal economy. But one area that seems to be chugging right along is the local housing market.

Bloomington-Normal businesses and other organizations were approved to borrow at least $130 million through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, with the most money going to restaurants and doctor’s and lawyer’s offices, according to a WGLT review of the loan data.

Union leaders are calling on local governments to do more to protect workers the next time they offer tax incentive agreements to companies.

The pandemic has hurt so many businesses in central Illinois. But not, apparently, some alcohol producers.

A McLean County pandemic-relief loan program remains unused as more options emerge for struggling businesses.

Businesses, schools and other organizations are starting to reopen while reducing coronavirus risk. They also must protect themselves from legal liability if there is a breakout.

Another 2,800 people in the Bloomington-Normal area filed for jobless benefits for the first time in May, fewer than the two previous months but still worse than at the peak of the Great Recession, the state reported Thursday.

The owner of Eastland Mall says it has “substantial doubt” about its future as it’s unable to collect rent from most of its retail tenants that are struggling because of the pandemic.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says Chicago will proceed with its next stage of reopening after coronavirus stay-at-home orders despite days of unrest and violence. Vandalism and violent clashes have followed peaceful protests citywide after George Floyd's death.

Illinois bars and restaurants can now serve mixed-drinks to go. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the measure into law Tuesday.

McLean County residents struggling financially because of COVID-19 could need up to $2.7 million in housing assistance in just the next three months—and a new community coalition says it’s got a plan to meet that challenge.

A decaying, unfinished industrial property in Normal could become viable again if a development agreement is approved with a Milwaukee-based firm.

Janis Hollins is a landlord who knows what it’s like to be on hard times.

Hollins and her husband, Andrew, were literally homeless for four days after losing their jobs and their house during the real estate crash of the Great Recession.

A Bloomington businessman says his new company’s temperature scanners may help speed up reopening the economy by giving workers and customers peace of mind.

Flexitech Inc. plans to close its Bloomington assembly plant, putting 139 people out of work.

The Illinois General Assembly passed a $40 billion state budget along party-line votes Saturday night in the House and early Sunday morning in the Senate: 68-44 in the House and 37-19 in the Senate.

Gov. JB Pritzker released industry-specific guidelines Sunday that tell businesses what they must do in the next phase of reopening during the pandemic.

All four regions of the state are on track to advance to Phase 3 of the plan in the coming days, said Pritzker. Retail, offices, manufacturing, barbershops and salons, summer programs, various outdoor recreation activities and bars and restaurants for outdoor dining will all be able to resume business in some form under the plan.

A 28-year-old Bloomington man who says he fell behind on rent after losing his hotel job because of the coronavirus says his landlord cut off his power after sending his son over to try to forcefully collect the money.

The Normal Town Council on Monday approved spending nearly $250,000 to move more Uptown utilities underground, keeping on track a new brewpub and restaurant that will help offset about half the cost of that work.

Another 5,200 people in the Bloomington-Normal area filed for unemployment for the first time in April —  a staggering number that exceeded March's historic high.

There’s really no socially distant way to do massage therapy. That’s put Michelle Sanders out of work.

The McLean County Ag in the Classroom program is finding new ways to engage students since classrooms are closed because of COVID-19.