McLean Connected

23/08/2025

Unit 5 and District 87 start school year with new high school phone policies

District 87 changed its policy for Bloomington High School that bans cell phones throughout the school day. Unit 5 refreshed its policy to keep student phone...

21/08/2025

Unhoused writers in B-N seek understanding and self-expression

Every Friday a group of unhoused people meets in a room at the Junction in Downtown Bloomington to write. They are part of a writing group, an effort to help the unhoused enrich their lives amid a stressful existence.

21/08/2025

Unit 5 board presented outline of annual budget, OKs new contract for Weikle

Chief Financial Officer Marty Hickman presented an outline of the budget for the 2026 fiscal year during Wednesday's school board meeting.

21/08/2025

District 87 board eyes debt restructuring to keep taxes for bonds steady

The district could add $20 million to its budget, and debt, in order to keep the property tax rate the same from year to year.

21/08/2025

McLean County Unit 5 presents $244M budget for fiscal 2026

Unit 5 has proposed a $244.7 million fiscal 2026 budget with a $3 million deficit tied to lower state funding and higher operating costs.

21/08/2025

Promise Council provides warm welcome to students at two dozen McLean County schools

Students at Oakland Elementary were greeted by cheering parents, educators and other community supporters as they walked into school on Wednesday. The Promis...

21/08/2025

Superintendent Mark Jontry to retire from Regional Education Office #17

Mark Jontry, the Regional Office of Education #17 superintendent, announced his retirement at the end of his term and endorsed assistant regional superintendent Molly Allen as his successor.

20/08/2025

Bloomington Middle Housing Gap

20/08/2025

Bloomington addresses housing crisis with new middle housing plan

The city of Bloomington is addressing the housing crisis by introducing “missing middle housing” to the Committee of the Whole, which could provide more affordable housing options and h…

19/08/2025

ISU among public universities to opt into statewide direct college admissions program

There’s a new statewide college admissions program coming to some public universities and community colleges in Central Illinois, and Illinois State University is one of them.

19/08/2025

Bloomington to consider loosening video gambling ordinances

During a non-voting session on Monday, the Bloomington City Council discussed several options to address the city's cap on video gambling establishments.

19/08/2025

Bloomington seeks solutions to ‘missing middle’ housing gaps

Bloomington city leaders continue to explore potential plans and opportunities to address the “missing middle” portion of the city’s housing shortage, as the administration seeks guidance on potential zoning and subdivision code changes.