A proposal from Executive Director Carl Olson would tax all residents across McLean County to help fund the Central Illinois Regional Airport. Currently, only Bloomington and Normal residents pay property taxes to the airport.

McLean County

Local airport looking to broaden tax base to full county

The Central Illinois Regional Airport could soon tax residents across McLean County under a plan Executive Director Carl Olson recently unveiled.

The proposal, Olson said, comes amid ongoing budget uncertainties at the state and federal levels. At the moment, both levels of government fund the bulk of CIRA’s operations, though Bloomington and Normal residents also contribute through a line item on tax bills.

While the residents outside the Twin Cities would be taxed for a new item, Olson said Bloomington and Normal residents would pay less since the distribution of local tax income would be spread across a wider geographic area.

Olson’s proposal has been presented to state legislators. Thus far, state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, has gone on record in expressing reservation, saying he believes it needs more study and discussion.

County receives grant to study housing-related data

McLean County is one of four governing agencies across the U.S. named recently to a grant from the Corporation for Supportive Housing. The organization is giving the county funds for a so-called supportive housing scaling data integration project that will take a deep dive into such issues as housing options for vulnerable members of the community.

CSH’s grant is in the amount of $200,000 and will cover technical assistance over the next year. In a statement, John McIntyre said the county is “honored” to receive the grant. “The information, which results from this data collection, will allow McLean County to better make the case for alignment of scarce housing and behavioral health resources,” McIntyre said in the statement.  

Foundation awards grants for 54 programs

The Illinois Prairie Community Foundation recently announced it was awarding $150,200 worth of grants to 54 programs in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties. Recipients within McLean County include the Bloomington Area Career Center, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, Bloomington-Normal Mulberry School, Bloomington-Normal YMCA, CHARM Inc., Illinois State University’s strings project, the McLean County Diversity Project and the Miller Park Zoological Society.

Bloomington

Woman found unresponsive in motel room, dies short time afterward

A 27-year-old Peoria woman found unresponsive in a Bloomington motel room Sunday, May 21, was officially pronounced dead a few hours after the discovery.

According to a Bloomington Police Department news release, local law enforcement and rescue personnel responded to an undisclosed motel room in the 400 block of Brock Drive at 12:26 p.m.

The woman, later identified as Shannon Hastings, was unresponsive at the time of arrival, according to the release. At 2:26 p.m., county coroner Kathy Davis pronounced the woman dead. Bloomington Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate the incident.  

Vice Unit arrests four people in prostitution ring

After conducting an online investigation into suspected acts of prostitution, officials in Bloomington Police Department’s Vice Unit arrested four persons in the 800 block of IAA Drive at 5:54 p.m. Wednesday, May 17.

A 26-year-old Bloomington man was arrested for promoting prostitution and driving with a suspended license. Additionally, a 25-year-old Bloomington woman was arrested for promoting prostitution and a 22-year-old Bloomington woman was arrested for engaging in prostitution. Also, a 15-year-old girl was taken into protective custody in connection with the incident. During their investigation, police seized 20 grams of marijuana. The man and women were transported to McLean County Jail, while the girl was eventually released to her parents.

Officials looking into police civilian review board  

After hearing concerns from multiple groups about relations between police and the community, The Bloomington City Council has agreed to look into the feasibility of an independent civilian review board.

As a first step in the exploratory process, Mayor Tari Renner and other council members have begun looking at how other communities handle the reviews. In recent months, a number of groups have stepped up efforts to have an independent review board in place. The groups include the ACLU, Black Lives Matter Bloomington-Normal, the local NAACP chapter, Not in Our Town and YWCA of McLean County.

Normal

Destihl holds ribbon cutting; mayor upbeat on development

Normal Mayor Chris Koos was on hand at the recent Destihl Brewery ribbon cutting ceremony, and he expressed optimism about future economic development in the area. In a news release, Koos praised Destihl for making $14 million investment into the town with its new production brewery, retail taproom and restaurant on Greenbriar Drive.

The new development is situated in an area where the town is making a series of infrastructure upgrades east of Veterans Parkway and south of Interstate 55. “We’re hoping this undeveloped corridor can be transformed into another vibrant gateway into our community from the north,” Koos said in a statement. “We have a good start with several thriving businesses near the brewery.”

Town announces electronic recycling, public works summer hours

Normal’s electronic recycling center and public works department have changed their operating schedule in preparation for summer. The self-service electronic recycling center, 1301 Warriner St., will operate from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 3, July 1 and Aug. 5.

Public works crews also began their summer hours this week. They will work from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. The shift means residents should have trash ready for pickup before 6 a.m. on the scheduled date.

–McLean County News Briefs–