Yana van der Meulen Rodgers

McLean County

Despite job losses, county’s unemployment rate drops  

The Bloomington-Normal job market shed 1,100 jobs in 2016, but the unemployment rate also followed a declining trajectory, according to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

According to recently released data from the state agency, the jobless rate at the beginning of January was 5 percent, down from 5.6 percent a year earlier. Elsewhere in the heartland, Peoria sustained greater losses, shedding 3,000 jobs this past year, largely as a result of Caterpillar’s layoffs.  

subhed: Several upgrades in the works at local airport  

Officials within the Central Illinois Regional Airport have announced several upgrades in the coming months, including expanded service to and from Dallas-Fort Worth. American Airlines, which has a strong presence at CIRA, is expanding its fleet of jets heading to and from the airport.

The Dallas-Fort Worth airport has been a frequent airport destination from CIRA for a variety of reasons, including its popularity as a hub of business and leisure travel. Other frequent departures from CIRA include Atlanta, Chicago and Minneapolis.

Feminist economist to discuss women in labor market  

Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, a professor of women’s and gender studies at Rutgers University, will discuss, from a global perspective, women’s empowerment within the labor market at an upcoming free talk. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Hansen Student Center within Illinois Wesleyan University, 300 Beecher St., Bloomington.

Van der Meulen Rodgers’ talk will focus on some of the successful strategies and how gender equality benefits families and overall economies. Van der Meulen Rodgers’ upcoming talk is a part of IWU’s annual theme, “Women’s Power, Women’s Justice.”

Bloomington

City Council gives OK to controversial police substation

Despite vocal concerns and protests from a number of residents and activist organizations, the Bloomington City Council on Monday, Jan. 23, green-lit a police substation in the 800 block of West Jefferson Street.

The controversial project has been in the works for several months and is a partnership with organizations Mid Central Community Action and the West Bloomington Housing Collaborative. The council meeting was widely attended, and a number of opponents held up signs urging elected officials to vote against the proposal, citing ongoing tensions between the community and local law enforcement. As part of the agreement, MCCA, which owns a home that is being converted to the substation, will charge the Bloomington Police Department $1 per month to use the property.  

Coliseum operating in red; transition cited as reason  

The U.S. Cellular Coliseum’s operating budget is currently in the red by $674,000, according to recently reported numbers from representatives of VenuWorks, the firm tapped to manage the city of Bloomington-owned facility last April.

According to the company and city officials, the loss was expected as the management transition takes hold. VenuWorks executives said they are optimistic the venue’s operating income will improve in the years ahead as tweaks are made.

Bloomington man arrested in Chicago for shooting

Bobby James, a 35-year-old Bloomington man, was arrested by Chicago Police on a warrant connected with a shooting incident in Bloomington. James is suspected of shooting bullets in late November at a convenience store.

The U.S. Marshals Task Force in Cook County assisted Chicago Police in the apprehension. At press deadline, James was awaiting extradition back to McLean County.

Normal

Town officials consider changes to public comment policy

Residents and other persons interested in speaking publicly at Normal Town Council meetings could soon have the opportunity to do so more frequently.

Town officials are considering a change to a municipal ordinance that states speakers can only come before the council once every 45 days. The town has solicited an opinion from state Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office on the matter.

Neither the Bloomington City Council nor the McLean County Board have restrictions on how frequently a person can comment at meetings.

El Paso man dies in three-vehicle crash in Normal

Wayne Miller, an 80-year-old El Paso man, died in a three-vehicle collision Tuesday, Jan. 24. The incident happened at Veterans Parkway and Fort Jesse Road in Normal. County coroner Kathy Davis said autopsy results revealed Miller died of multiple blunt force injuries. Miller was driving a pickup truck.

His vehicle collided with a minivan and semitrailer truck about 9:35 a.m. the day of the incident. Miller was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner’s office at 10:01 a.m.

Several agencies, including the coroner’s office and Normal Police Department, are investigating the incident.

–McLean County News Briefs–