[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6170223,"mediaKeyId","5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3","parentId",5397858,"title","Resident warns Market Street changes will push semis through residential Locust Street, requests city review","audioSeconds",174,"startMs",900000,"endMs",1074000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3&start=900&end=1074","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3/thumbnail_900000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6170223/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Resident-warns-Market-Street-changes-will-push-semis-through-residential-Locust-Street-requests-city-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170223-da6c914790cdb6e4beb485989a422424/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400475&Signature=iDrvWbPrsZ0-J1yIA4An~YZqOm6U7pHVvJJM~bZLovNScGdrnhkbytvQkJJaXCzWvy90kcJO0SzgAheZquINQKniEJpd9MS9gBuxv8IrultjNWG6ojwQqqmYZYRxEOPekuG6tszTts2BJXCwRTDjiK7AGluCMcgQOhNBRzTQW~Ynr6S~bSxUbjFnuWl9N-Gy-kvFjctBEML9UkIU3E2vrHvXL8620XQ1ort1DILHuaA6EU7gMG0Hc4He6PGw12IUjCe0WwK7xXAPNe3TyN9QFE9yaNs050KWMKJ4dLjZem~5Bk5tghxGcsPwjTAmGZP8Igzx~gyg49sW4x5rpd87Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bloomington, IL","date","2025-07-15T13:00:57Z","article","Chris Taylor, a resident of the 1500 block of West Locust, told the Bloomington City Council on July 14 that a change to no‑parking on the north side of his block and recent Market Street work are routing semi‑trucks through a residential neighborhood and creating safety concerns near schools and multifamily housing.

Taylor said a letter notifying residents of the parking change was brief and that initial contacts with district staff at IDOT were redirected back to city staff. He described a recently completed Market Street project and lane modifications at Market and White Oak Road that now prevent eastbound drivers from turning left onto White Oak Road; Taylor said truck traffic is being routed to Henshall Street and then through Locust Street to reach White Oak Road.

Taylor told council the change has removed parking for longtime residents on his block and increased traffic on a street used by families, children walking to schools and people accessing O’Neil Park. He asked whether semis could instead be routed onto Martin Luther King Drive, a four‑lane industrial corridor that connects to White Oak Road.

Mayor Dan Brady acknowledged the comment and said staff would take Taylor’s concerns under advisement and ask staff to look into the issues raised. No formal action or vote occurred during the public comment period; staff later told council during other agenda items they would review traffic routing and parking decisions with relevant agencies and departments as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 7/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A West Side resident told council a no‑parking change related to Market Street work is redirecting semi‑trucks onto residential Locust Street and asked city staff to review routing and parking decisions.","taxTitle","Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois","taxId",2828,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170228,"Bloomington first Illinois city certified as Partner in Peace after citywide human trafficking training",4903,567000,5470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3&start=567&end=5470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3/thumbnail_567000.jpg","/articles/6170228/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Bloomington-first-Illinois-city-certified-as-Partner-in-Peace-after-citywide-human-trafficking-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170228-c5bf6d84954624a156a304029d6705d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400475&Signature=Aqrtd5dxRlmlcWexMKfycliwBN0LU5uVJy~ARBvD0wNjMLGTTxlRM-NDLISLsMRfEyTKFTm5fvc6-8aigYqVB6Ugzye1nZK4gIKXzvUBpuOUfUtOqTMlQnEcfVZPvXwZOFER5J~M~tLFW4emeDI36P-Y1xo34ejaNJYlcJeSuzqHE-MEDR4orU~M3QWtZv8I5Gti2oCeOD8Sy0loAH-JdFeCCFUQ6ZYvObfyGcS~c3UB5yZ~KN2XoXrbY6gDNiGaEI14GXAw~uZDAqgr5AON0nKgpjuoEE9EWmwYt2C6-jWiCud4QVdzollG3cjqZK3DSh8djUYYbNAI5Pc4farK3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bloomington received the Center for Prevention of Abuse’s Partner in Peace certification at the July 14 City Council meeting after city leaders completed trainings and adopted policies the center requires, the center’s CEO told council.

Carol Murna, CEO of the Center for Prevention of Abuse, said Bloomington met certification benchmarks including training at least 75% of full‑time city staff in human trafficking awareness and prevention, implementing an internal anti‑trafficking policy and establishing a formal reporting protocol for staff. The proclamation presented to the center noted the council also amended the city code related to massage establishment licenses as part of the city’s efforts to address illicit massage operations.

“Human trafficking is often described as a hidden crime lurking in the shadows,” Murna told council. “Collectively, meeting these four important goals is a powerful statement that the city of Bloomington has a commitment to safeguarding every resident.”

Mayor Dan Brady presented the proclamation to Murna and thanked the center and city staff; city staff later told council that about 474 employees completed training coordinated by the city’s human resources department at no cost from the center. Staff emphasized the training is intended to make employees “eyes and ears” in the community so they can identify and report suspected trafficking and connect victims to services.

Council members applauded the certification and staff for coordinating the training. The mayor and staff encouraged other municipalities and organizations to seek similar training and partnership resources from the Center for Prevention of Abuse.","The city received Partner in Peace certification from the Center for Prevention of Abuse after training more than 75% of full‑time staff and adopting internal policies and reporting protocols; council issued a proclamation recognizing the designation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170234,"City reports $700,000 in CDBG activity for program year 2024; 13 housing units rehabilitated",515,1141000,1656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3&start=1141&end=1656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3/thumbnail_1141000.jpg","/articles/6170234/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/City-reports-700000-in-CDBG-activity-for-program-year-2024-13-housing-units-rehabilitated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170234-d09fedef44c375f661fe5f9d775f614d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400475&Signature=QjRlcizE-fFx-GyR4t~J0X1Lkn9zPU0t0N4RiuWdEa3NrGoFr1b7o5ulVSsJInM3hTMotDw-7WJkovrVXshlT9LpZJ3uhQRP91sNsvk8yXWlQW~r-Kbt7Jze7uH9G2GMGruWANreCiNYG4pD0FJJby~JFUf9nxxlw7Aac3F6lfhkYRkDNfjNwMB5FKlJS344C36EfQ0RyoxhwNcDVO4X2RqG0YEVWh9LZ0hTQuD8T5nfKTP3kw9Kax3ZJ-diKm-b0~AbweTmoB1zf9ICrI9HEC4GXd2UUZp5-g2RtxEQJ9wBUGdthVeJEBGWFlpRJeIyX3v~apH7oeZqZ2fYp6hOvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on July 14 delivered a program‑year report to the Bloomington City Council on its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activity for program year 2024 (May 1, 2024–April 30, 2025), saying the city spent roughly $700,000 in CDBG funds and completed a mix of housing rehabilitation, sidewalk and public service activities.

Cordell Patrick, director of Community Impact and Enhancement, said CDBG funds supported 13 affordable housing units in program year 2024: three units included lead remediation, three were emergency repairs (for example furnace replacement for elderly residents), and seven were general rehabilitation such as roofs, windows and siding. Staff said one project included new sewer and water service installed in partnership with Habitat for Humanity to ready a vacant lot for a new home.

Patrick said sidewalk improvements in West Bloomington were completed and another project has started at Wood Hill Towers; combined sidewalk projects affected about 1,300 residents, roughly 1,100 of whom staff said are low‑ to moderate‑income. He said a high share of the housing rehab work served areas identified as regeneration and preservation zones in the city’s comprehensive plan.

Staff also summarized nonprofit partnerships supported with CDBG grants: Home Sweet Home Ministry outreach (233 community members served), West Bloomington revitalization (about 615 served by a project referenced as 06/1955 in the presentation), partners providing furniture and recycling programs (284 served), and KTB Financial Services (129 served). Patrick said more than 80 community members participating in housing choice voucher or public housing programs completed career training.

Patrick told council the breakdown by category included a large share of funds to housing rehabilitation (he said about 69% in one slide), new affordable housing support, public services and public facility/infrastructure activities. He also noted CDBG administration costs were roughly 3% of the total.

The council opened and closed the public hearing; staff said no one registered to speak at the hearing and that the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is available for public comment through July 22. Council members asked whether CDBG funds can be used for demolition; staff said demolition is possible but difficult to fund with CDBG and that the city used CDBG for a limited number of demolitions in the prior year to prepare lots for Habitat for Humanity.

Council asked whether reported federal budget proposals affecting HUD would change local entitlement amounts. Staff said the city had already received its entitlement for program year 2025 and that the next 12 months of work are funded but future federal decisions could affect funding beyond that period.

Council thanked staff for the report and asked for follow‑up on cataloguing derelict properties and on clarifying whether CDBG funds could be used for rehabilitating vacant or owner‑occupied properties in future program years.","City staff presented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program year 2024 summary to council, reporting rehabilitation work on 13 units, sidewalk projects that affected roughly 1,300 residents, and partnerships with local nonprofits; the CAPER was opened for public comment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170238,"Council approves stopgap repairs for deteriorating Market Street parking garage; demolition tied to Connect Transit plan",819,2033000,2852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3&start=2033&end=2852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3/thumbnail_2033000.jpg","/articles/6170238/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Council-approves-stopgap-repairs-for-deteriorating-Market-Street-parking-garage-demolition-tied-to-Connect-Transit-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170238-52bf2ad5855b91c574d25d9f8f1df160/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400475&Signature=Vm9G0pC6z-zVFjPnBMvdo1ym5szcaIszPyyFFz1vwBYQ79ptbndBs0-X-9iEOvEcYpZyzQSnh0WiHCzRV4fKxRrmv1GWW4yJGtcssXXLOQNUnKkUQjyj0rOc~Fdc~E-Bma-D0Balk3Kk9bRxSEX662bXbzNyBbP4O3hT~E1MmLSDbHgleLafIdwU~Qh-wR7LYImZ5yvsLGDNdBuWnhVf3oi4bh-mh6bEckSsODZQdQawUDRrpwuKhAWu9Jp7VjSv-~xMQUw8YjKwfY8kdzTm8ebiQuNcx32K25TNfSYi0PGPNijv~jMEgxhi0hminKxt4QWZ2mWT~m959TRtoICrxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bloomington City Council on July 14 approved temporary repairs and increased inspection frequency for the Market Street parking garage while negotiations continue with Connect Transit over a downtown transfer station and longer‑term redevelopment of the site.

Deputy City Manager Billy Tice told council the structure has continued to deteriorate and that staff are proposing monthly inspections and targeted repairs to keep the garage open for the near term. Staff indicated the immediate request — about $80,000 — covers design and inspection services; repair costs are expected to exceed six figures. “The repair work is likely to exceed six figures,” Tice said.

Council members expressed frustration and asked about alternatives, lease obligations and the garage’s actual daily usage. Staff said about 250 lease spaces exist in the garage but that that figure reflects contracts, not a daily occupancy count. Staff estimated seeing roughly 200 cars in the garage during site visits. Several council members pressed for a larger inventory of deferred maintenance across the city before committing further funds.

Council Member Hendricks moved to approve the request and Council Member Scott seconded. During the roll call the mayor read three nays: Council Members Montney, Strasse and Ward. The motion carried.

Staff told council they are working with Connect Transit on a redevelopment proposal that would build a new downtown transfer station on the garage site while reserving a number of public parking spaces. Staff said an agreement with Connect Transit and other parking options could push a demolition and redevelopment timeline into 2026; until then staff said they would attempt to keep the garage open and safe.

If council had denied the repair funding, staff said the city likely would have had to close the garage and relocate leaseholders to other facilities; the recommended action was framed as a stopgap to avoid an abrupt closure while alternatives are finalized. Staff also said some lease agreements are part of longer redevelopment contracts and the city could be required to provide notice and mitigation if the garage were closed.

Council asked staff to return with more detailed information about lease terms, daily occupancy and a citywide inventory of deferred maintenance so elected officials could weigh long‑term options against recurring emergency repair costs.","Council approved funding for monthly inspections and design work on the Market Street garage while staff pursue a partnership with Connect Transit for a replacement transfer station; council members raised concerns about recurring costs and long‑term parking solutions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6170243,"Bloomington council advances $12.9 million downtown streetscape plan after contractor negotiations",887,2879000,3766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3&start=2879&end=3766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5397858-6dfe87dbe6e89791363cc0c031d68bb3/thumbnail_2879000.jpg","/articles/6170243/Bloomington/McLean-County/Illinois/Bloomington-council-advances-129-million-downtown-streetscape-plan-after-contractor-negotiations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6170243-a8da521c826bfd644d177addd01e57b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775400475&Signature=LYNWK80wYIVBlqj1s3K0W9pOcSDFPbWjmlO9fEOKJFFB1N~T9~qYadQDlF9TUbd2SABMXGmyd8rMB5udohYvVcsWuDAeFTtPa2k93yrH5PgVZ-wVduxb5FP2Pw5jsEJPt39mj8X1ZWV9JmhVsFj8RngfA9xEkWmqHxJyTtvT2pBjiEvia-0Yk8mZK3o3AvF~V4ydqLDW1KMKrQcdujkl3lj-EUTNnmW5IuvJRLHSbTlyQ2ci6zgLODefVqKW83U6b~~pDyMYnz9XbEUsCeQI7FQTw2-Ug16~u0Gw4ScoF0ws30XwACMOPKGwAoPwQxJTxYXSOHF9X7fHoaeNF9bFFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bloomington City Council on July 14 voted to move forward with a multi‑phase downtown streetscape project after staff and the low bidder negotiated scope reductions intended to bring the work within the city’s funding plan. The project team told council the negotiated package reduces the original bid by about $4.8 million and would cost about $12.9 million in total, with a $2 million state grant offsetting most of the price tag.

City Manager JB Jurgens and Deputy City Manager Billy Tice told council the work is largely infrastructure: water main and lead service‑line replacements, storm drainage, fiber conduit and other underground work. “Seventy‑six percent of the dollars that would be spent on this phase would be for infrastructure,” Tice said, and staff said some drainage work would also address flooding in West Bloomington and Central City neighborhoods that were affected during the 2021 storms.

Tice and project consultants said staff and the contractor, Stark Excavating, identified reductions that preserve the project’s look and infrastructure while trimming costs — for example replacing proposed “washout basins” with increased street sweeping and reducing decorative globe lighting. Staff also said city crews will perform some landscaping and construction observation work in‑house to reduce contractor costs.

Council discussed funding and schedule in detail. Staff said the funding plan includes a $2 million state grant, about $1.6 million from enterprise funds for direct utility work, and roughly $10.3 million from city reserves and other local sources; staff characterized the local out‑of‑pocket cost as about $177,000 higher than an earlier budget placeholder when the state grant is counted. Work is expected to begin in late 2025 with phased construction through 2027.

Council members questioned tradeoffs between the streetscape’s visible elements (brick pavers, decorative lighting, outdoor dining space) and deferred maintenance elsewhere in the city. Several council members urged the administration to inventory deferred maintenance citywide and to track impacts of using internal crews on other maintenance backlogs. “Everything that we do has an opportunity cost,” said Council Member Montney.

Tice announced a public meeting on a related question — whether to keep on‑street parking or implement a flex lane that would serve bike lanes and occasional event space — to be held July 31, 5–7 p.m. at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. He said the specific parking vs. bike/flex‑lane decision will be made later in the process and does not affect tonight’s action.

Council Member Ward made the motion to approve the negotiated contract and funding; Council Member Hendricks seconded. After extended discussion emphasizing infrastructure benefits and the need for strong business outreach and parking mitigation during construction, the council approved moving the project forward and directed staff to continue public engagement and final design work.

If construction proceeds on the schedule discussed, downtown businesses will receive advance notices and staff said they are pursuing lease agreements with private lot owners and short‑term parking solutions to reduce disruption during work phases.

The project team thanked consultants and city staff for negotiation work that staff said saved several million dollars from the original bid estimate and for the grant writing that secured the $2 million state contribution.","Council reviewed a renegotiated bid and funding package for a multi-phase downtown streetscape project that city staff say is majority infrastructure work; council moved to approve the plan after extensive discussion about scope, costs and downtown impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident warns Market Street changes will push semis through residential Locust Street, requests city review

Bloomington first Illinois city certified as Partner in Peace after citywide human trafficking training

City reports $700,000 in CDBG activity for program year 2024; 13 housing units rehabilitated

Council approves stopgap repairs for deteriorating Market Street parking garage; demolition tied to Connect Transit plan

Bloomington council advances $12.9 million downtown streetscape plan after contractor negotiations