Good morning, Normal.

Visitor spending exceeded $549 million in McLean County in 2025 — a figure that shows robust tourism activity in the area.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not said if Illinois will join a federal tax credit scholarship program set to begin Jan.

1; experts say it could bring over $1 billion in funds into local schools + boost scholarships without reducing public school budgets.

OneEarth Energy proposes three carbon sequestration wells near Gibson City to capture CO2 from its ethanol plant.

The EPA draft permit is under review with public comment ending Sept. 23 and a public hearing on Sept. 22 at Countryside Event Center (concerns center on the proximity to the Mahomet Aquifer).

Unit 5 approved a $252 million budget for fiscal 2027 amid uncertainty over Rivian’s property tax appeal & declining state transportation funding.

District 87 approved its fiscal 2027 budget today, projecting an $11.2 million deficit.

The plan outlines capital spending (including fund transfers, reserves, tax revenue and federal funding) to support local schools.