Bloomington, IL

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Bloomington, Illinois, is the county seat of McLean County. It is the larger of the two major cities in the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan region. Normal lies close to Bloomington. Bloomington is 135 miles south of Chicago and 162 miles northeast of St. Louis. This made it the state's 13th most populous city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The twin cities have a combined population of over 130,000 people. Illinois Wesleyan and Illinois State Universities are located in Bloomington-Normal. It's also home to State Farm and Country Financial Insurance.

Bloomington is a city in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the seat of McLean County, which was formed in 1830. You can find it right next to normal (to the north). It's in the middle of the way between Chicago and Missouri's St Louis. Keg Grove and Blooming Grove were two names given to the area because of its wildflowers. In 1822, it was settled and became known as Keg Grove. In 1831, the town was laid out and changed its name to Bloomington. At Major's Hall in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1856, Abraham Lincoln gave his famous "lost speech" on slavery at the start of a convention to form the Republican Party in the state. A plaque marks the spot. In this part of the country, there are a lot of corn and soybean fields. The city is also home to a lot of livestock, insurance, and the making of candy and vacuum cleaners.

During the early 1800s, the Kickapoo people lived in a large grove near the Bloomington area. Before the first European settlers came to the area, the Kickapoo people lived in the grove. On December 25, 1830, when McLean County was formed, Bloomington was chosen as the county seat. It came from the town of Keg Grove, which later became known as Blooming Grove.

The old city hall and the police station were still there, but there was a fire in a laundry across the street from them in 1900. There was a fire and he called the fire department. Most of the downtown was destroyed, especially the areas north and east of the courthouse. George Miller and Paul O. Moratz, two architects who live in the area, quickly rebuilt the area that had been burned down with their designs.

First two decades of the 20th century saw Bloomington grow even faster than it did before. Farming, the construction of highways and railroads, and the growth of the insurance business (mostly State Farm Insurance) all helped Bloomington, IL and its downtown area grow. The downtown area became a shopping center for people from other counties. They became stronger.

Ray and Irene Denbesten founded Denbesten Real Estate in 1977. Cathy Denbesten, their daughter, now runs it. Call them at (309) 6662-4228 for assistance purchasing or selling a house.

In 1997, Judy Markowitz became New York City's first Jewish and female mayor when she was elected to the post. Bloomington's performing arts complex had a major renovation during Mayor Markowitz's two years in office. Bloomington would also approve a gay rights ordinance in 2002. In 2021, Mboka Mwilambwe became the city's first black mayor when he was chosen by the residents.

The city had a population of 76,610 people and a total of 30,454 homes in the 2010 census. 2,814.8 people per square mile (1,099.5/km2) was the population density. At an average density of 1,261.5 units per square mile (492.8/km2), there were 34,339 dwelling units. There were 77.5 percent White residents, 10.1% African Americans, 0.3 percent Native Americans, 7.0% Asian, 1.42 percent other races, and 2.9% people who identified as two or more races in the city as a whole. 5.6 percent of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The City of Bloomington and McLean County, Illinois, make up the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the state of Illinois. People in the area have grown 28% from 1990 to 2006. When the US Census Bureau did a special census of Bloomington in February 2006, it found that the city had grown by 15.7 percent in less than six years. This is where the fastest growth has been, though.

People in the city were spread out, with 27.3 percent under the age of 20, 9.0 percent from 18 to 24, 29.8 percent between the ages of 25 and 45, and 23.8 percent between the ages of 45 and 64. It was the middle age of 33 years. When there were 100 women in the group, there were 95.4 males in the group.

The city's median household income was $58,662, while the family's median income was $81,166. Males had a median income of $56,597, while females had a median income of $39,190. The city's per capita income was $32,672. Around 5.7 percent of households and 11.0 percent of the population were poor, with 12.6 percent of those under 18 and 6.3 percent of those 65 and over falling into this category.

The Bloomington Ice Center (formerly known as the Pepsi Ice Center) is an indoor public ice skating facility that is run by the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department. It has a full-size sheet of ice that is 200' x 85' and can be used by anyone. The facility has ice skating lessons, public skating sessions, a full hockey program, learn to curl and curling leagues, skate rental, and a concession stand where you can buy food and drink. You can also rent skates.

Citizens for a New Public Library forms a Friends of the Library organization in 1976 to lobby for voter approval of bonds to fund a new public library. The effort was successful, and the library reopened as "Bloomington Public Library." in 1977, at 205 East Olive Street. Currently, the library provides a variety of public services, including a Bookmobile that distributes to local areas, which was initially established in 1926 as Library on Wheels.

Parks, Recreation, Golf, and the Miller Park Zoo are the sections that make up the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department. Airport Park, Alton Depot Park, Angler's Lake Nature Preserve, Atwood Wayside, Bittner Park, Brookridge Park, Buck-Mann Park, Clearwater Park, Eagle Crest Park, Emerson Park, Evergreen Park, Ewing Park 1, Ewing Park 2, Ewing Park 3, Fell Avenue Park, Forrest Park, Franklin Park, Friendship Park, Holiday Park, Lincoln Leisure Center, Lincoln Leisure Center Golf Course, Lincoln Leisure Center Golf Course, Lincoln Leisure Center Golf Course, Lincoln Leisure Center Golf Course,

Parks are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., alcoholic drinks and smoking are not permitted, and leashed dogs are permitted in all parks. Water spray parks, extensive playgrounds, miniature golf, baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields, cricket grounds, and illuminated tennis courts are all common features of these establishments. Indoor tennis is available at the Evergreen Racket Club. O'Neil Park (west) and Holiday Park (east) include outdoor public swimming pools (east). Indoor pools are available at the YMCA, YWCA, and private fitness facilities.

Located in Bloomington and Normal, Illinois, the Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail is a 24-mile (39 kilometer) running, walking, cycling, and rollerblading path that runs on a designated right of way. Use bridges and tunnels to isolate the route from traffic while crossing major highways. From Normal's Kerrick Road to Bloomington's Grove Street, the trail's north–south section follows the Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) train bed.

East of Towanda-Barnes Road, the east–west axis meets the north axis at the Normal City Hall Annex. Beginning at Commerce Drive and ending at the Old Farm Lakes Subdivision, the Liberty Branch is Lincoln Street is the starting point of the Freedom Branch, which finishes at Route 9 West. There are many adjacent parking lots in the vicinity where you may park. Walking, running, in-line skating, skateboarding, and other non-motorized modes of mobility are permitted on the path. As long as the weather permits, it's open to skiers throughout the winter months.

As part of Illinois State University's 150th anniversary celebration, the Genevieve Green Gardens were dedicated in 2007. The gardens were created with the help of several architects and landscape designers, notably the late Bruce V. Green, an ardent gardener who donated $5.2 million to the project. They feature a new public entrance leading to a formal plaza, the manor entrance, grass patio, theater walk with wider pathway and more vegetation.

Bloomington is home to Illinois Wesleyan University (1850) and a Heartland Community College campus (1990), whereas Normal is home to Illinois State University (1857). The American Passion Play is an annual spring event. Bloomington has museums dedicated to history and aviation, a zoo, and a summer Shakespeare festival, and the residence (1872) of Supreme Court associate judge David Davis is a state historic monument. Both Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson (1893–97) and his grandson, Illinois Governor Adlai E. Stevenson II, are buried at Evergreen Cemetery. In Shirley, southwest of the city, there is a gem and mineral museum. 1839 was the year of incorporation. (2000) 64,808 people; Bloomington-Normal Metro Area 150,433 people; (2010) 76,601 people; Bloomington-Normal Metro Area 169,572 people

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra presents five Masterworks, two Pops, and three Chamber Orchestra performances yearly at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

In the Midwest, the McLean County Arts Center is one of the oldest arts groups. It has been serving Central Illinois for more than 130 years and is one of the oldest. Holiday Treasurers is one of 12 art shows that happen each year. The annual Amateur Competition has been showcasing amateur artists in Central Illinois for more than 70 years. There are also a lot of community events that the Arts Center helps put on, like the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in Uptown Normal and the Spring Bloom Arts Festival in Bloomington.

The Community Players Theater, which is on Robinhood Lane off Towanda Avenue, is one of the oldest community theaters that is entirely run by volunteers. When the theater first opened in 1923, it had its 88th season in 2011.

Every year, the City of Bloomington's Miller Park Outdoor Summer Theatre puts on two major plays.

Each summer, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival features performances in an open-air, Elizabethan-style theatre at historic Ewing Manor. Before each performance, the audience is invited to picnic on the grounds and be entertained by roaming Madrigal singers, jesters, and other performers, as well as a Green Show performance.

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The house is a predecessor to contemporary residences and comfort systems, and a reminder of Illinois' significance in American history during Abraham Lincoln's presidency. A Tea Ladies Inc. presentation at the estate may also be arranged.

The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau conducts monthly Twin City Tours. Tours start at the McLean County Museum.

Bloomington's primary retail destination is Eastland Mall. Shops like Aeropostale and American Eagle Outfitters can be found at Eastland Mall along with restaurants like Applebee's and Buckle. There are also several recreational activities to be found at Eastland Mall. Although the mall has been in decline in recent years, it is consistent with the overall fall of retail malls in the United States.

With two public school districts, Bloomington has a wide range of educational options. One high school, Bloomington High School, a junior high school, Bloomington Junior High School, six elementary schools, and a pre-school are all operated by Bloomington Public Schools District 87 on the city's inner outskirts. Sarah Raymond Pre-school serves the city's youngest residents (named for the first female superintendent for Bloomington).

The city's expansion has pushed it into a second district, McLean County Unit District No. 5. Despite the fact that Unit Five used to serve mostly suburban regions, including Normal, the bulk of its students now come from Bloomington. Unit Five is responsible for two high schools (Normal Community High School and Normal Community West High School), as well as four junior high schools and a number of elementary schools. Unit Five was in the process of building its fourth junior high school, George Evans Junior High School, or EJHS, as of 2010. In addition to the high school, Unit 5 built two new primary schools in Bloomington and anticipates the need for another high school.

Central Catholic High School, Corpus Christi Catholic School Elm./Jr. School, Epiphany Elm./Jr. School, St. Mary's Catholic School, Trinity Lutheran School, and Cornerstone Christian Academy are among the private schools in Bloomington. Students from Bloomington may also attend Illinois State University's Metcalf Elm./Jr. School and University High School, which are both laboratory schools.

There are 2,100 students at Illinois Wesleyan University, which was established in 1850. The student/faculty ratio is 12 to 1. For a long time, it was a part of the United Methodist Church. The College of Liberal Arts has 17 academic departments; the College of Fine Arts has professional schools of art, music, and theatre; and the School of Nursing is part of the university. The College of Liberal Arts is divided into three divisions. The five-story Ames Library, the Center for Natural Science, and the Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation have all been added at Illinois Wesleyan in the last decade. There have been more than 100 athletes from Illinois Wesleyan University elected to the Academic All-American team since 1970. Hairmasters Institute of Cosmetology offers classes in pivot point hair sculpture, hair design and long hair design, hair texture, hair color, people skills and salon management training.

Downtown Bloomington, IL is home to City of Bloomington and McLean County government buildings, as well as a variety of specialized shops, pubs, restaurants, and art galleries.