State Farm

Coronavirus Blog 3/25/20: State Farm Stops In-Office Work Nationwide

By Ryan Denham • Mar 25, 2020

Safe Harbor — Mark Romine / Salvation Army of McLean County

The coronavirus story is developing quickly in Illinois. Here are updates from WGLT's newsroom and our partners at Illinois Public Radio, NPR, and The Associated Press.

State Farm To Offer Paid Administrative Leave To Certain Employees Impacted By Coronavirus

By Ryan Denham • Mar 17, 2020

State Farm said Tuesday it will offer paid administrative leave to its employees who cannot yet work from home and are caring for their children—or if they or a loved one has the coronavirus.

State Farm Sends People Home To Work

By Charlie Schlenker • Mar 12, 2020

UPDATED 7:30 a.m. | State Farm late Thursday issued an updated statement clarifying how it plans to allow most employees to work from home.

Cost-Conscious Insurance Companies Facing 'War For Talent'

By Ryan Denham • Mar 11, 2020

More retirements, low unemployment, and increased competition from other industries have all contributed to a “war for talent” in the insurance business, according to a hiring expert.

Choosy Customers, Regulation May Shape State Farm Bank Exit

By Ryan Denham & Charlie Schlenker • Mar 9, 2020

Steven Weisbart — Insurance Information Institute

Exposure to increased regulation and choosy customers not interested in one-stop shopping for insurance and banking are likely among the reasons why State Farm is exiting the banking business, according to industry economist.

State Farm To Exit $16.4 Billion Banking Business

By Charlie Schlenker • Mar 5, 2020

Bloomington-based State Farm is getting out of banking. The company on Thursday announced plans for U.S. Bank to take over existing deposits and credit card accounts.

State Farm Limits Travel Due To Coronavirus

By Eric Stock • Mar 3, 2020

State Farm has suspended all non-essential business travel through the end of March as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.

State Farm Stays Profitable Despite Higher Losses, Lower Premiums

By Ryan Denham • Feb 28, 2020

State Farm posted a smaller yet healthy profit in 2019 despite higher losses and some customers paying reduced premiums, the company announced Friday.

Apartments Scrapped, Offices Only For Ex-State Farm Building

By Eric Stock • Feb 27, 2020

The company that is taking over the former State Farm building in downtown Bloomington has secured its first tenant, prompting the developer to abandon its plans to build luxury apartments.

For Autonomous Vehicle Policymaking, Next Steps Begin In Bloomington

By Ryan Denham • Feb 20, 2020

As stakeholders consider the thorny public policy issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, State Farm doesn’t just want a seat at the table. It owns the table.

State Farm Launches $30M Workforce Development Program In Arizona

By Eric Stock • Feb 5, 2020

State Farm is giving $30 million to support an education and career development program in Arizona.

State Farm To Launch New Campaign On Super Bowl Sunday

By Ryan Denham • Jan 30, 2020

State Farm is launching a new creative campaign on Super Bowl Sunday—and the khaki-clad Jake may return to help kick things off.

State Farm Moves Investment Department To Dallas; B-N Workforce Total Unchanged

By Eric Stock • Dec 18, 2019

State Farm is relocating its investment department from its corporate headquarters in Bloomington to its regional hub near Dallas, though State Farm officials say the company’s total workforce in McLean County will go largely unchanged.

State Farm Gave Away Downtown Building To Spare Demolition

By Eric Stock • Nov 22, 2019

State Farm essentially gave away its former downtown headquarters to spare a costly demolition after trying to sell the historic building for over a year, according to McLean County records.

Ex-State Farm Building Developer Has 'Delivered' On Projects, With Public Help

By Eric Stock • Oct 25, 2019

Former State Farm building in downtown Bloomington — Eric Stock / WGLT

Government and community leaders are breathing a sigh of relief now that State Farm has finished the sale of its historic headquarters in downtown Bloomington. But it’s likely their work to save the skyscraper is just getting started.

Olympia 4-H Club Gets $25K Grant To Expand Emergency Mini Food Pantries

By Jolie Sherman • Oct 17, 2019

Youth in the Olympia school district are getting some big help as they chip away at food insecurity in rural McLean County.

It's A Deal: State Farm Finalizes Sale Of Downtown Building

By Eric Stock • Oct 11, 2019

State Farm has announced it has finalized the sale of its former headquarters in downtown Bloomington to a Rockford-based developer that plans to build upscale apartments at the site.

Effort To Make Demolition Of State Farm Building More Difficult On Hold

By Charlie Schlenker & Sean Newgent • Sep 11, 2019

The Historic Preservation Commission had been set to hold hearings on two historic landmark nominations for the downtown building State Farm is offloading.

But Mayor Tari Renner said those won’t be needed.

State Farm To Chronicle Its History In New Museum

By Eric Stock • Sep 9, 2019

State Farm has announced plans to open a new interactive museum to chronicle the company’s near 100-year history.

Developer Plans Luxury Apartments In Former State Farm Building

By Ryan Denham & Eric Stock • Sep 6, 2019

State Farm building exterior — Eric Stock / WGLT

UPDATED 12:30 p.m. | State Farm announced Friday it's found another interested buyer for its downtown Bloomington building, potentially saving it from demolition.

Midwest Food Bank Prepares For Dorian Relief

By Mary Cullen • Sep 3, 2019

Man at a metal building in Dorian's path — Meg Kinnard / AP

The Midwest Food Bank is preparing to send four truckloads of about 1,000 disaster relief food boxes each to residents in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.

Report: State Farm Plays Key Role In Illinois R&D Landscape

By Ryan Denham • Aug 26, 2019

A new report shows State Farm is most of the top patent-producing companies in Illinois.

Advocates Seek To Save State Farm Building Amid Uncertain Timeline

By Eric Stock • Aug 26, 2019

Russel Francois in downtown Bloomington — Eric Stock / WGLT

State Farm’s recent decision to demolish its former downtown Bloomington headquarters has left local officials scrambling to prevent an iconic community structure from disappearing.

Group Seeks Private Development To Save State Farm Building

By Eric Stock • Aug 12, 2019

State Farm building downtown Bloomington — Eric Stock / WGLT

A community task force that's looking for ways to save State Farm's former downtown headquarters isn't looking for the City of Bloomington to take over the building, according to one of its members who previously served on the city council.

Public Mixed On City Trying To Save State Farm Building

By Eric Stock • Aug 8, 2019

State Farm listening session — Eric Stock / WGLT

Bloomington residents remain divided over what role the city should play in trying to save State Farm's downtown former headquarters that the company plans to demolish.

That's according to feedback Bloomington City Council member Jenn Carrillo said she has received during two listening sessions and community surveys over the last week.