Business and Economy

Unit 5 is trying to recruit more bus drivers for next school year by showing them that it’s not as intimidating as it looks.

McLean County’s consistently low unemployment rate has long been a point of pride. (Thanks, State Farm and Illinois State University.)

Yet the jobless rate doesn’t tell the whole story of what it’s like to live and work here.

State Farm has denied the allegations of a federal lawsuit filed by two New York men who say they were fraudulently recruited into an agent training program and improperly denied employee benefits.

While most millennials are preparing to buy their first home, those in Illinois are holding off on joining in the American Dream.

The Normal Planning Commission will take up a proposal for a new hotel in the Constitution Trail Center on the north side of town.

Growing and selling cannabis for medical purposes in Illinois is legal, and it's looking more likely that the state will legalize a recreational program as well. But one crucial component that remains illegal is for banks to do business with marijuana-related companies. 

The Peoria metropolitan area is experiencing low layoff rates and more jobs being advertised, leading to a favorable job market.

That’s according to Bradley University’s fourth-quarter composite index.

The City of Bloomington has suspended its business registration program.

Illinois lawmakers are moving quickly to draft a plan for a minimum wage increase. But, there are competing ideas on how to approach it. 

Two small towns in rural Illinois recently lost their Walmart stores -- more than three decades after the retail giant came in and pushed out mom and pop shops. Now, the communities have lost convenience as well as major property and sales tax revenue. Some see it as an opportunity to revitalize main street, while others are not so optimistic.

UPDATED 10 a.m. | America’s declining appetite for breakfast cereal was a key factor in this week’s decision to close a Gridley facility where 115 employees are now out of work, company officials said.

Bradley University’s third quarter checkup on the Peoria area economy shows continued positive performance with unemployment rates remaining low at 4.8 percent. That’s down nearly half a percent from this time last year.

Illinois gas prices are higher than this time last year.

Statewide prices are at an average of $2.82 per gallon. This is down from last month, but about 30 cents more expensive than October 2017.  AAA spokesperson Beth Mosher says there are a number of economic factors involved.

“This fall, Illinois saw a number of issues from local refineries, which pushed prices higher. Also, supply and demand have been affecting prices quite a bit this fall,” she said.

The Normal Town Council will take up the $29 million Trail East project proposal Monday.