State Farm officials have announced plans to sell the 89-year-old headquarters building at 112 E. Washington St., Bloomington. (Photo courtesy of State Farm)

McLean County

Report: county nursing home does have future

Although it endures an estimated $1.2 million loss annually, a panel of health care experts recently asserted the McLean County Nursing Home could have a viable long-term future.

The panel, convened to study the struggling facility, recently compiled its findings in a report. It contained a series of recommendations, including ramped up marketing efforts, improving facilities and forming cooperative agreements with hospitals.

The McLean County Board is expected to review the full report and offer possible directives later this month.

Interim director of economic council named    

Mike O’Grady, vice president of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, will helm the organization on an interim basis. O’Grady’s appointment, which takes effect April 30, comes as the current executive director, Kyle Ham, is set to resign the week prior.

In a statement, Jared Hall, chair of the EDC board of directors, said O’Grady was a natural fit as a long-term leadership strategy is formulated.

 “Mike brings vast experience, organizational knowledge and continuity to the role,” Hall said in the statement.

Illinois State University student Sydney Velez has received a Fulbright Award. (Photo courtesy of ISU)

ISU announces two Fulbright Awards for 2018-19

Illinois State University students Kylie Ashton Maurer and Sydney Velez have received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards for the 2018-19 academic year, officials announced recently.

Members of the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board made the decision.

Maurer, of Normal, earned an English teaching assistantship and will be heading to Colombia for a 10-month period.

Velez, of Oak Park, received an award to support the formalized, advanced study of Spanish institutions in higher education.

Bloomington

State Farm to sell its original HQ building    

For nearly nine decades, State Farm Insurance has maintained a presence in Bloomington’s downtown.

The era, however, is expected to come to an end soon. Company officials announced last week plans of selling the 89-year-old building, 112 E. Washington St. Civic and elected leaders in Bloomington expected the announcement after a pivotal decision early this year.

In January, State Farm moved the last of its employees — about 150 professionals — to other complexes in the city.

Judge dismisses charges against former coliseum GM    

A McLean County judge on Friday, April 13, dismissed 13 criminal charges filed against the former general manager of the city-owned arena in Bloomington.

Judge Michael Stroh ruled the theft-related charges filed against Bart Rogers, the one-time GM of what was then known as the U.S. Cellular Arena, lacked clarity and covered time beyond the three-year window in the statute of limitations.

Rogers and four of his staffers within Central Illinois Arena Management were charged for financial misconduct during their decade-long oversight of the arena. City officials terminated the city’s contract with CIAM in 2016.

Mahrt to oversee community development  

Robert Mahrt, who has been overseeing the city of Bloomington’s community development department on an interim basis since December, is taking the reins on a permanent basis.

City officials on Monday, April 9, announced Mahrt was chosen to lead the department in the road ahead.

“I am pleased to welcome Mr. Mahrt to the city of Bloomington as community development director,” Interim City Manager Steve Rasmussen said in a statement. “As I said when he was hired as interim, he brings with him experience and passion that I believe will help the department greatly.”

Normal

Work on I-74 bridges underway this spring  

The Illinois Department of Transportation is conducting bridge work this month along a section of Interstate 74.

The area subject to the work is over the Norfolk Southern Railroad, west of Normal’s municipal limits. Throughout the construction, one lane will be closed in each direction. IDOT officials are alerting motorists to expect extra delays throughout the duration of the project and allow extra time amid commutes or plan alternate routes.

Town seeking applicants for  Harmon Arts Grants

Town of Normal officials are seeking applications for arts-related projects, programs and events for funding through the 2018 Harmon Arts Grant Program.

Nomination paperwork can be sent through Thursday, May 10. Grant awards will be disbursed to organizations for programs or events taking place between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019.

Priority will be given to Normal-based programs and those available to as many community members as possible.

For information or to obtain grant nomination paperwork, visit the town’s website, www.normal.org.

–McLean County News Briefs–