Business and Economy

Bloomington-Normal's jobless rate sank to 3.8 percent in October, as the local economy added 900 jobs in construction, professional and business services, and other sectors.

The pace of home sales in the Bloomington-Normal market slowed in October, even as the average price continued to climb due to low inventory, local real estate agents reported Wednesday.

Brandt Industries will be getting more than just local tax breaks if it brings a new plant to McLean County.

Brandt Industries expects to bring around 500 jobs to McLean County over the next decade and might even establish its U.S. headquarters in Bloomington-Normal, the company’s president said Monday.

A Canadian agriculture equipment manufacturer would receive at least $600,000 in property tax breaks over the next 10 years if it brings hundreds of promised new jobs to McLean County, according to a proposed agreement facing its first vote Monday.

A Canadian agriculture equipment manufacturer is working with local taxing bodies on an incentive package that would bring at least 300 new jobs to McLean County, officials said Saturday.

The next step in the redevelopment of Eastland Mall will be a new restaurant.

A low number of homes on the market is helping to drive up prices in Bloomington-Normal real estate, even as the demand for newly built homes continues to lag.

Bloomington-Normal's jobless rate fell again in September and remains the lowest among all metro areas in the state, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported Thursday.

The city of Chicago has officially submitted its bid to be home to Amazon's second headquarters.

A city official says a new Kroger Marketplace store is still planned for Bloomington’s east side, though the project has been delayed significantly from its original timetable.

Home sales continue to lag in the Peoria area, despite a strong end to the busy summer sales season.

Should Normal give away $800,000 in tax breaks to a shopping center owner so that the town can reap $4.8 million in projected new tax revenue?

The relentless hurricane season is keeping Bloomington-based insurers busy.

Eastland Mall in Bloomington is moving forward with its redevelopment plans, with Planet Fitness now slated to open in a space formerly occupied by JCPenney.

State Farm’s plans to realign its IT operations include a voluntary buyout for some employees.

Bloomington-Normal home sales ticked back up again in August as more buyers closed deals toward the end of the busy selling season.

Bloomington-Normal's jobless rate continued to fall in August, as the local economy added around 1,700 jobs in the past year, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported Thursday.

An internal announcement this week at State Farm won’t have a major impact on the size of the insurer’s overall workforce in Bloomington-Normal, the company said Friday.

Bloomington-Normal’s jobless rate continued its decline in July, as the local economy added more jobs in professional and business services and leisure and hospitality.

Bloomington-Normal home sales dipped in July as fewer buyers closed deals during the busy summer selling season.

You may like Portillo’s. But Peter Robinson loves Portillo’s.

He left his home in Waterman (near DeKalb) at 3:30 a.m. to be one of the first in line for Tuesday’s much-anticipated opening of the new Portillo’s in Normal. That’s a 90-minute drive, then another 5-hour wait, before the 10:30 a.m. opening. (By 9 a.m. there were around 12 people already in line in Normal, including Robinson.)

A local entrepreneur is shedding light on the hardships of starting a small business as a woman or minority.