Annual Report 2013 Part 2

By Paul [email protected]

BLOOMINGTON — Newplaces for medical care andrehabilitation and newweapons in the battlesagainst stroke and youthsudden cardiac death areamong patient advances atAdvocate BroMenn MedicalCenter and OSF St. JosephMedical Center.

Advocate BroMenn’smother-baby, intensive careand progressive care unitshave been busy since movinglast summer from BroMenn’s1967 building to a new, largerbuilding constructed on thewest side of the existing hos-pital, 1304 Franklin Ave.,Normal. That 136,000-square-foot addition —which cost $53.5 million — isa four-story, triangle-shaped building that DanCooper, planning and designmanager, noted was built onschedule and on budget.

Sixty larger, private roomsinclude 20 for labor, delivery,recovery and postpartumcare, which allows mostmothers to stay in the sameroom throughout their hos-pital stay; 10 are for postpar-

tum (including for motherswho have had a Caesareansection); 18 are for progres-sive care (for patients whoneed a higher level of carebut not intensive care); and12 for intensive care, said LeeAnn Wallace, director of

women’s and children’sservices, and Doug Brown,director of surgical, neuro-science and acute rehabilita-tion nursing.

The addition also includestwo rooms for Caesareansections, a 12-bed respite

nursery for newborns whosemothers need a break, a sev-en-bed special care nurseryfor higher-risk or ill new-borns, two suites for multiplebirths, a room for tub birthsand three isolation suites for

By Rachel [email protected]

BLOOMINGTON — In comingyears, the city of Bloomingtonmust address about $114 millionin pension debt, a $60 millionbacklog in street repairs and pos-sibly even more expensive needsin sewers and other infrastruc-ture.

In order to meet those needs,the city requires study and stabil-ity, said finance director Patti-Lynn Silva. “These aren’t thingsyou can really kind of wing it,” shesaid.

Silva became the city’s perma-nent finance director on May 1,after a series of temporary hiresover the prior fiscal year. She tookthe helm of the department afterits staffing was cut almost in halfbetween 2006 and 2011, as attri-tion and an early retirement pack-age wiped out most of its institu-tional knowledge.

The city in that time beganrolling out city-wide financialsoftware and delved into study af-ter study of the city’s financialneeds. As a sign of the depart-ment’s instability, the city’s re-

quired annual financial reportwas two months late in 2012 andSilva said they were “lucky to haveit done then.”

By early 2013, though, Silva saidthe city was further along towarda stable, more technically compe-tent finance team with 11 full-

time employees (there were 17 in2006 and a low of nine in 2010and 2011) and the number of cer-tified public accountants up fromone in 2011 to four. A proposedbudget for the next fiscal yearwould bring department staffingup to 13.

The city also continued to seeprogress toward more stable fi-nances. The general fund had anegative balance in 2008 but hascontinued to rebound, with $14.4million in reserves at the close offiscal year 2012, which endedApril 30. The city expects $17 mil-lion in reserves for the end of fis-cal year 2013.

At the same time, the city facesmajor long-term liabilities, in-cluding a requirement to improvepension funding, and continuesto see some funds, includingstorm sewer, operate in the red.

Though the city has built up itswater fund to more than $17 mil-lion, Silva said the need for infra-structure will far exceed the sav-ings.

Some of that infrastructure willcome in the form of facilities toexpand the city’s water supply,which — as residents were re-minded during 2012 — is vulnera-ble to drought.

Lake Bloomington and Ever-green Lake were full by early 2013,but residents earlier saw wateruse restrictions set in a new ordi-nance, one of several steps taken

For State Farm,change has been aconstant over our

90 years as a company.Technology continues tochange our world and themarketplace. As con-sumers, we find that tech-nology is changing our be-haviors and our expecta-tions of the companies wedo business with. StateFarm is impacted by thesesame changes and yet ourcore values remain thesame as we help our cus-tomers manage risks, re-cover from the unexpectedand realize their dreams.

In 2012, we continued togrow while building newplatforms that will allowus to better adapt to cus-tomers’ ever-changingneeds and expectations.This positive momentumwas created by the collec-tive energy and focus ofState Farm associates.

We recently shared in-formation with our em-ployees about our plans toexpand in Atlanta, Dallasand Phoenix. In additionto these locations, we willcontinue operating in anumber of communitieswhere we have an estab-lished presence.

These types of changesare not new for State Farm.We continuously reviewour operations and facili-ties to make sure employ-ees are in the right placesto provide the best possi-ble service to our cus-tomers. We know thesetypes of decisions have animpact not only on our as-sociates, but also to thecommunities we live andwork in. As far as our pres-ence in Bloomington,while there have been re-ports to the contrary, ourheadquarters will remainhere.

State Farm strives to be agood neighbor, helping tobuild stronger, safer, bet-ter-educated communi-ties. Recently, I had theopportunity to visit Heart-land Community Collegeto present a gift from theState Farm Foundation.The $1.5 million grant willbe used in part to supportstudents from low-incomebackgrounds who are in-terested in pursuing a de-gree in information tech-nology.

In today’s society, afoundational understand-ing of technology is an es-sential skill for anyone en-tering the workforce, re-gardless of the industry. Asthe leader in the insuranceindustry, technology playsa big role in our success. Tocontinue that success, welook for associates withtechnical skills in the areasof advance programming,network management andsystems application archi-tecture, just to name a few.We believe supporting ed-ucational programs likeHeartland’s informationtechnology degrees is awin-win for all involved.

State Farm and StateFarm Companies Founda-tion partner with otherhigher education institu-tions throughout CentralIllinois. We continue towork with the Universityof Illinois Research Facilityin Champaign and are alsoproviding scholarshipmoney for UI students in-terested in the IT field. In

SATURDAY,March 23, 2013

Mark Pickering, managing editor,309-829-9000, ext. 252,email: [email protected] REPORT

Duane Farrington

StateFarmadapts

The Pantagraph/DAVID PROEBER

Katy Nichols of Clinton, left, and her husband, Sam, move their newborn son,Jackson, from the former birthing unit to the hospital's newnursery on June 25 as patients from intensive care and obstetrics occupy the new addition.

Area hospitals add new services, care centers

Health care’s new look

Bloomington moves to get on solid financial footing


Workers for Stark Excavating lay a 30-inch sewer line into a trench as theLocust-Colton sewer separation project crossed Towanda Avenue at East Lo-cust Street in 2012. The $9 million project is designed to remove seweragefrom storm water across a large portion of Bloomington's near eastside.

The Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK-NEISLER

OSF Healthcare RN Michael Lehner monitors patients in July from the OSF ConstantCare in Peoria.

SEE HEALTH / PAGE 2

SEE FINANCIAL / PAGE 2SEE FARRINGTON / PAGE 2

2 • The Pantagraph • Saturday, March 23, 2013 www.pantagraph.com

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addition, Illinois StateUniversity is home to theState Farm Hall of Busi-ness.

Our chairman and CEO,Ed Rust Jr., is a strongchampion for educationreform and leads our phil-anthropic efforts. That en-ergy flows throughout thecompany. Thousands of

State Farm agents, teammembers, employees andretirees give generously oftheir time and talents tohelp their communitiesgrow.

That energy also moti-vates me. I’m proud to bein my 33rd year with StateFarm, working for a com-pany that shares my valuesand has the customer’sbest interests at heart.

Farrington is executive vice presidentand chief administrative officer atState Farm.

in an effort to maximizesupply both in the short-and long-term.

Besides water, the citycontinued to think greenwhen it came to solidwaste. The public worksdepartment moved intoautomated recycling pick-up, with the introductionof carts late last year.Since the change, recy-

cling participation has in-creased to about 65 per-cent.

Garbage pick-up con-tinued to see a tax subsidy,though a $2 fee increase to$16 per month helpedbring the subsidy leveldown.

Meanwhile, “quality oflife” initiatives, thoughdrawing record-breakingcrowds, continued to drawon tax money.

The U.S. Cellular Coli-seum’s private manage-

ment team again reportedoperating losses, and theCity Council in spring2012 reluctantly approveda $450,000 boost to theBloomington Center forthe Performing Arts’ salestax subsidy.

Miller Park Zoo receiveda one-year accreditationextension during an Asso-ciation of Zoos andAquariums review in sum-mer 2012. But the city be-lieves the adoption of amaster plan and a formal

agreement with the zoo’sfundraising arm last yearwill help it receive full,five-year accreditationthis summer.

In public safety, the cityopened a fire training tow-er at a cost of $780,000and the Bloomington Po-lice Department in De-cember learned of the re-tirement of Randy McKin-ley, the city’s police chieffor about four years and a28-year veteran of the de-partment.

highly infectious patients.Meanwhile, at OSF St.

Joseph, 2200 E. Washing-ton St., Bloomington, theCenter for HealthyLifestyles and car-diac/pulmonary rehabili-tation joined forces andmoved in December to thefirst floor of the BirthingCenter addition. The cen-ter opened in 2011 but thefirst floor remained unoc-cupied in anticipation ofthe CHL/rehabilitationmove.

Previously, the twounits were in separate lo-cations elsewhere in thehospital.

“This is an opportunityfor two departments toalign, with the goals ofcommunity health, dis-ease prevention, diseasemanagement and educa-tion,” said CHL DirectorErin Kennedy. Car-diac/pulmonary outpa-tients have been exer-cising side by side withpeople without a historyof disease.

“The culture ischanging to emphasizepreventive medicine,not just acute care,” saidLarry Wills, vice presi-dent of hospital opera-tions.

The moves and align-ment are part of St.Joseph’s $21 million fa-

cility master plan torenovate some existingareas and move outpa-tient services closer tohospital entrances tomake it easier for outpa-tients and visitors.

Other patient advancesinclude:

◗ Opening of AdvocateBroMenn OutpatientCenter, 3024 E. EmpireSt., in August.

The 84,000-square-foot, $23.4 million build-ing includes AdvocateMedical Group’s Immedi-ate Care and Occupation-al Health Services; physi-cal, occupational andspeech therapy; women’simaging services, includ-ing mammography andbone density testing; out-patient lab services; of-fices for three familymedicine physicians andthree pediatricians; andspecialty clinics for skincare, cardiology andpulmonary care andgeneral surgery.

◗ Addition at bothhospitals of the Solitairerevascularization deviceprocedure, a way to re-move blood clots in thebrain to reverse somestroke symptoms.

◗ Advocate for YoungHearts — free, voluntarycardiac screenings forhigh school students byAdvocate BroMenn. Thefirst screenings were atCentral Catholic HighSchool in November.

HEALTHFROM 1

FINANCIALFROM 1

FARRINGTONFROM 1

ANNUAL REPORT

By Kevin [email protected]

PONTIAC — Noise madenews in Livingston County in2012.

In their first full year in thenew Livingston County Lawand Justice Center, countyofficials noticed problems.County board and committeemeetings were filled withcomplaints, suggestions,plans and promises to fix the$16 million building, whichopened in November 2011.The water was not even safeto drink for most of the year.

In January 2012,county of-ficials were told there were 99violations of the Environ-mental Barriers Act, the Illi-nois Accessibility Code andthe Americans with Disabili-ties Act. Attorney GeneralLisa Madigan’s office threat-ened to fine the county up to$250 per day for non-com-pliance issues ranging fromsigns to curbs and ramps thatwere not up to code.

As officials were dealingwith those problems, JudgeJennifer Bauknecht informedthe county that cooling tow-ers for roof air conditioningwere creating too much noisein the courtrooms.

“The best way to describethe noise is that is sounds likeyou are in a tool shed with ametal roof during a drivingrain storm,” she wrote in a

memo to the board.The county is spending

$17,000 for acoustical work tocorrect the problem. The re-mainder of the violationshave been addressed and areeither resolved or near com-pletion. The cost to the coun-ty has not been finalized, saidJack Hayes, president ofFrederick Quinn Corp., theconstruction managementcompany.

Meanwhile, the formercourthouse on the square inPontiac was reopened to thecounty’s non-judicial officesafter a $6 million renovation.The 138-year-old courthouseis now fully restored and isbecoming a popular spot fortourism, one of Pontiac’s

leading industries.Nearly 30,000 tourists vis-

ited Pontiac in 2012, accord-ing to Tourism Director EllieAlexander, an increase of 25percent over 2011. The Route66 Association of Illinois’Hall of Fame and Museumcontinues to be the main at-traction, although the Ponti-ac-Oakland Automobile Mu-seum and Resource Center isalso popular, she said.

While bus tours continueto drive the numbers,Alexander said that touristsoften tell her that they hearabout Pontiac via word ofmouth or through research.

“We have found that peo-ple have written letters totravel magazines, websites

and blogs about their experi-ence here and that has alsoplayed a part,” she said.

Another local effort thathas gained attention is thePontiac Township HighSchool student-developedNational Prescription Pill andDrug Disposal Program(P2D2). It was chosen the topenvironmental educationprogram in the U.S. and sec-ond in the world at the VolvoAdventure Awards inGothenburg, Sweden. Theteam attended the awardsceremony in Sweden in June.The program promotesawareness that improperlydiscarded drugs can pollutegroundwater and return toour bodies through drinkingwater and food.

“What is amazing to me isthat students from PontiacTownship High School aremaking a real difference allaround the world,” said sci-ence teacher Paul Ritter, wholed students in the effort.

Two longtime Kmartstores in the area closed inJanuary. The Pontiac Kmartstore, located in the Vermil-lion Plaza for more than 40years, announced in Octoberit would close, affecting 47full- and part-time employ-ees. Later, the Streator Kmartstore, located in NorthpointPlaza for 26 years with 45 em-ployees, also announced itwould shut its doors.

The Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY

Among issues at the Livingston County Law & Justice Center in

Pontiac, the red tactile bumpy panels, which are designed to as-

sist blind pedestrians into the crosswalk, have been installed in

such a manner that they could aim a blind person into the inter-

section, rather than the crosswalk.

Justice center flaws hit Livingston

As I look ahead toretirement, I findmyself reflecting

on my more than 30-yearcareer at Illinois State asboth a faculty member andas president. I’ve seen theuniversity grow andchange in many positiveand exciting ways, ad-vancing in academic ex-cellence while remaining adedicated communitypartner in Bloomington-Normal and McLeanCounty.

Illinois State has distin-guished itself as a first-choice institution for aca-demically talented stu-dents. Our incomingfreshmen have provedthemselves to be highlymotivated, with an ACTaverage at an historic highof 24.3. An increasingnumber of those freshmenare students from under-

represented groups, manyof whom are the first intheir families to attendcollege.

Once students arrive oncampus, they become partof a community that chal-lenges them academicallyand gives them the sup-port they need to succeedand thrive. Personalizedattention from facultymembers and a wide arrayof academic and socialsupport services haveplayed a vital role in rais-ing our freshman-to-

sophomore retention rateto an all-time high of 85.1percent. The university’sstandard measure gradua-tion rate is also an historichigh of 71 percent.

Those numbers, com-bined with top-notch aca-demic programs, dedicat-ed faculty members and awelcoming campus at-mosphere, have earned theuniversity national recog-nition as a great value inhigher education. IllinoisState has been consistentlyranked in the top 100 uni-versities in the nation byU.S. News and World Re-port.

There is also no denyingthe important role that thephysical campus plays inattracting students to Illi-nois State. Our easily walk-able campus, with its his-toric buildings and tree-filled Quad, has again been

named as a Tree CampusUSA by the Arbor DayFoundation. The StudentFitness Center, whichopened in 2011, is busy fromearly morning until late atnight and recently celebrat-ed its one millionth studentvisit. Renovated diningcenters and residence hallsgive students a comfortablehome away from home. Ourrecently opened CardinalCourt complex provides theconvenience and independ-ence of apartment living inan on-campus setting.

Illinois State boasts anumber of venues that pro-vide enriching experiencesfor members of the com-munity. Bone StudentCenter’s Braden Auditori-um and Brown Ballroomroutinely host well-knownperformers and speakers.The Center for the Per-forming Arts is home to

university theater produc-tions and performances bystudent and faculty musicensembles. Redbird Arenaand our other sports facil-ities are visited by thou-sands of fans every year.Renovations to HancockStadium will provide newgrandstand and club seat-ing for Redbird footballfans this fall. We also lookforward to proceedingwith plans to update agingclassrooms and studios inour fine arts complex.

Illinois State’s growthand success in recent yearswould be considered re-markable in the best oftimes. It is all the morenotable because that suc-cess came against thebackdrop of a state fiscalcrisis and continuing cutsin higher education fund-ing. In times of stress, wepulled together as a cam-

pus and as a community tokeep this institution thriv-ing. It is in this fact that Ifind my greatest source ofpride.

Like all colleges anduniversities, Illinois Statewill continue to face thechallenges of economicuncertainty, increasedcompetition for prospec-tive students and the de-mands of a rapidly chang-ing world. The universityhas been on a solid footingfor more than 150 yearsand I am confident it willcontinue to grow andprosper.

As I return to the slight-ly less hectic but funda-mentally important life ofa professor, I look forwardto a continuing role in Illi-nois State’s success story.

Bowman is president, Illinois StateUniversity, Normal.

www.pantagraph.com The Pantagraph • Saturday, March 23, 2013 • 3

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ANNUAL REPORT

Al Bowman

By Randy [email protected]

It was an eventful and ex-tremely successful 2012 inBloomington-Normal col-lege basketball.

The Illinois Wesleyanwomen’s team completed adramatic season in Holland,Mich., at the Division III Fi-nal Four.

During a season marked byhead coach Mia Smith’s bat-tle with breast cancer,the Ti-tans claimed their first na-tional championship with a57-48 victory over GeorgeFox.

IWU senior Olivia Lettwas selected national Playerof the Year, while Smithearned national Coach of theYear honors.

The Titan men made theirfifth Final Four trip to Salem,Va., and were defeated, 81-78, in the semifinals byCabrini. No third-place

game was contested.Illinois Wesleyan senior

Jordan Zimmer earned thirdteam All-American honors.

The Illinois State men took

Creighton to overtime in theMissouri Valley ConferenceTournament championshipgame but were defeated, 83-79, and denied an NCAA

Tournament berth. ISU de-feated Mississippi in the NITbefore dropping a second-round game at Stanford inovertime.

Head coach Tim Jankovichleft the Redbirds after theseason to take an assistantcoach position at SouthernMethodist with the under-standing he would becomehead coach when LarryBrown retires.

ISU dipped into its past forJankovich’s replacement.The Red-birds hiredVanderbilta s s i s ta n tDan Muller,a formerISU player.

The Red-b i r dw o m e n ’st e a mearned aWNIT bid for the fourthstraight season and defeatedCentral Michigan before los-ing to Villanova in the secondround.

The ISU football teamposted its fourth straight

winning season for the firsttime since the 1940s andwas part of the Champi-onship Subdivision playoffsfor the first time since 2006.The Redbirds edged Ap-palachian State on the roadbefore losing to EasternWashington in the quarter-finals.

Another highlight forCoach Brock Spack’s teamwas the beginning of con-struction on a new east sidefor Hancock Stadium. The$25 million project is sched-uled to be completed by thestart of the coming season.

ISU junior Tim Gloverearned his second straightNCAA championship in thejavelin, while Redbird Brit-tany Smith took second atthe national meet in both theshot put and hammer throw.

The Heartland Collegebaseball team placed third atthe NJCAA Division II na-tional tournament.

By Karina [email protected]

BLOOMINGTON —Topping Central IllinoisRegional Airport’s mostwanted list for 2013 ismore flights and moreseats.

Officials are working tolure added service inhopes the airport will re-cover from a 16 percentdrop in passenger trafficin 2012. The June depar-ture of CIRA’s secondlargest carrier, AirTranAirways, is blamed for thedecline, said Paul Har-mon, chairman of theB l o o m i n g to n - N o r m a lAirport Authority.

“Attracting service;that’s our number onepriority,” said Harmon,adding that both FrontierAirlines and Allegiant Air,which began flights out ofthe Twin Cities in May,have helped restore someof the lost service. Fron-tier connects passengersto both Denver and Or-lando, Fla. Las Vegas-based Allegiant offersflights to Orlando.

Harmon said officialsare now in communica-tions with airlines, al-though no announce-ments are expected in theshort-term.

Airport officials havetheir work cut out forthem as regional airportsacross the country com-pete for dwindling airservice, brought on bycutbacks among airlinecarriers. But a $500,000federal grant will serve asan incentive as officialswork to secure service tothe East Coast, either toWashington, D.C., or New

York.The federal grant is aug-

mented by another$200,000 in revenue andin-kind marketing servic-es from the airport and theCommunity Air ServiceInitiative, a fund launchedin early 2012 by theMclean County Chamberof Commerce.

The fund helped secureFrontier’s Denver servicefrom the Twin Cities byoffering a safety netshould the company notmeet its financial goalsduring its first year. Theinitiative raised up to$450,000 in donationsfrom businesses and localgovernments.

“We have a great invest-ment here in CIRA; it’s in acentral location and it’s agreat transportation hubfor us, for corporate bases,small businesses andleisure travel,” said Char-lie Moore, chief executiveofficer for the chamber.

Moore said investors forthe fund are scheduled tomeet this month to dis-cuss priorities for the ini-tiative this year.

So far, Frontier has hadsuccess with its Denverroute, said Moore. Sevenmonths after the firstflight, the carrierswitched from a 99-seataircraft to a 138-set Airbusin January.

Delta also recently an-nounced it would expandseats, said Harmon.

“We’re getting somefull-size aircraft,” saidHarmon. “Even thoughthey are not addingflights, by increasing thesize of the planes, they areincreasing the number ofseats.”

Illinois State continues on path to growth

CIRA works atlanding serviceFrontier, Allegiant fly inafter AirTran withdrawal

IWU women claim trophy; ISU gets new coach

The pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK-NEISLER

Illinois Wesleyan University coach Mia Smith talks about her national championship winning

team during a celebration at Shirk Center on March 27, 2012.

Dan

Muller

By Edith [email protected]

SPRINGFIELD — Aheavily overpopulatedstate prison system willstruggle even more thisyear as the planned closureas a women’s prison forcesmore inmates into facilitiesdesigned to house far fewerpeople.

In February 2012, Gov.Pat Quinn targeted Tamms,the super-max prison inSouthern Illinois, adulttransition centers in De-catur and Carbondale, anda youth prison in Mur-physboro for closure. But itwas his plan to shutter theDwight Correctional Cen-ter that drew criticismfrom prison reform advo-cates concerned thatsqueezing Dwight’s 1,000inmates into Logan Cor-rectional Center in Lincolnwill add to stress-filled en-vironment.

The closure also standsto diminish the positive re-sults Dwight staff have inrehabilitating those sen-tenced to the facility, saidreform advocates.

“Over the years, Dwighthas trained its staff, hiredlarger numbers of femalecorrection officers, andcreated a culture to addressthe unique needs of femaleinmates, most of whomcome from backgrounds ofserious trauma and physi-cal, sexual and emotional

abuse,” said the JohnHoward Association of Illi-nois in its January state-ment opposing the closure.

The Department of Cor-rections countered that ex-isting programming willnot only accompany in-mates to Logan but planscall for opportunities inconstruction, parentingand nail technology. Thereduction from two to threewomen’s prisons will save

millions, said IDOCspokeswoman StaceySolano.

No specific date has beenset for the transfer. Thestate’s prisons have a cur-rent population of about49,000 adults housed in asystem designed for34,000. The women fromDwight will be moved intoquarters that now hold1,600 men, who will bemoved to other prisons.

The state recently noti-fied the union representingprison workers about plansto increase bed space at fa-cilities in Centralia, Van-dalia, Danville, Shawnee,Graham and Illinois River.The American Federationof State, County and Mu-nicipal Employees objectedto plans to convert gymna-siums into dormitory unitsfor minimum security in-mates.

“Inmates in these facili-ties will continue to haveaccess to dayrooms andyards for recreation. Thedepartment anticipates theneed for these temporaryhousing units to decrease inthe coming months,” saidSolano.

Implementation of a re-vised early release programis expected to help reduceprisoner numbers.

The employee union alsocited recent incidents of vi-olence against staff in theirarguments against the clo-sures.

By Kenneth [email protected]

BLOOMINGTON — Nu-merous Central Illinoistowns and counties decid-ed in 2012 to enter electricaggregation agreements inthe hopes of cheaper elec-trical rates.

The practice allowsgroups to bargain as a larg-er group, leveraging theirbuying power with utili-ties. Individual residentscan opt out, or can changetheir minds for free within30 days of adopting a newprovider.

Normal, Heyworth andRandolph Township wereamong 51 communitiesthat voted in favor of thepractice in November.About 5 percent of Normalresidents have decided toopt out, according to fig-ures provided by Home-field Energy, a companythrough which Normalbargains its price.

Some current Homefieldclients have a rate of about$0.049 per kilowatt hourthrough June 2014, lowerthan $0.054 throughAmeren Illinois, thoughAmeren rates are sched-uled to change in June of

this year.Normal voters originally

rejected the idea, as didthose in Bloomington. Cityvoters will give the idea an-other try on the April 9ballot.

Generally, some who optout just want to make theirown decision about sup-pliers. Others think it al-lows too much governmentinvolvement.

“In theory, I would thinkthe residents would behappy their municipalgovernments took this step

and allowed the citizens tovoice their opinion on thematter in an electionprocess,” said SamanthaHager, spokeswoman forHomefield. “In the end,communities that havemoved forward with themunicipal aggregationprocess have done so basedon the voice of their con-stituents.”

Bloomington DeputyCity Manager Barb Adkinssaid voters may be con-vinced since surroundingcommunities have adopted

the practice.Adkins, who has been

dealing closely with the is-sue, said more work will benecessary if voters approvethe measure.

“The consulting compa-ny has to solicit bids, bringin whichever (provider)would like to present,” Ad-kins said. “Those commu-nities who all passed thereferendum will then de-cide not only the lowestrate, but whether theywant (additional detailslike) going totally green.”

As this will be my lastreport to you, I’mpleased to say our

city has made excellentprogress in recovering fromfinancial adversity. The newmayor and aldermen elect-ed in April will inherit astronger city that can growand undertake new im-provements.

Bloomington also is gain-ing valuable insights intofuture needs through pene-trating assessments of in-frastructure and pensionobligations. Predictingchallenges is necessary toset priorities, which are im-portant because our city’srevenues are limited. Thereis never enough money todo all the worthwhile proj-ects at once.

Our financial reserves arestronger than ever. Pre-re-cession, we had a 10 percentreserve; we have restoredthat to 15 percent. We alsohave reduced our bondedindebtedness and acceler-ated repayment of otherdebts. These factors are im-portant in achieving a goodcredit rating, and Bloom-ington was recently up-graded to AA+ with a stable

outlook — one step awayfrom the highest ratingpossible. Beyond its emer-gency reserves, the city hasbuilt up a savings accountthat can serve as “seedmoney” for important proj-ects future councils maydeem desirable.

In City Manager DavidHales, the city has someonewho can control budgetsand increase efficiency.With the cooperation ofcity employees, he has giv-en us budget surpluses.Over the past three years,we kept a stable propertytax levy until now, when weare able to reduce it. Thereare no new fee increasesplanned for the upcomingyear.

Even prior to Hales’ hir-ing we had instituted work-force cuts and we remain

about 11 percent below ourprevious staffing, savingmillions every year. The cityalso has been studying“managed competition,”which is an analysis of whatthe city does and how wellwe do it.

Managed competition issometimes mistaken assynonymous for outsourc-ing, but it really is just a wayof systematically exploringefficiency. All functions arecontinuously monitored forimprovement, which couldinclude outsourcing if anoutside firm can ultimatelybe more efficient. But out-side firms also can lose theircontracts if we find cityemployees are better at thetask.

For example, though itwasn’t called “managedcompetition” then, the citytook over paramedic servic-es from a private contractor,and now provides betterservice through firefighters.The City Council has beensupportive of performanceimprovements because itsaves tax dollars.

Recently, the city begansingle-stream recycling andis now using automated

trucks to lift and dump thenew recycling containers.This not only reduces thenumber of employeesneeded, it also cuts downon the chance of lifting in-juries. We are now examin-ing opportunities to auto-mate regular trash collec-tion.

A number of road proj-ects have just been com-pleted, notably, the city’scooperative project withthe state — Morris Avenuehas been improved southfrom the zoo; Tanner Streethas been widened; and theintersection of Six PointsRoad and Veterans Parkwayhas been modified.

Eight years ago, the citywas only allocating$500,000 annually for roadresurfacing; we plan onspending $4 million nextyear. Similarly, the long-anticipated $10 millionproject to construct a neweast-side sewer line wascompleted.

We also are continuing todiversify our water supply,planning to incorporatewells. Completed studieshave indicated wells on thesouthwest side of the city

would be most promising,and long-term testing isunder way to assure the areacan actually support theproposed withdraw of wa-ter.

We have formulated plansfor our parks, too, includingthe master plan for MillerPark Zoo that was releasedin 2012. After 10 years of de-lay, the city opened GaelicPark last year, and plans foranother are pending.

Just as important as in-frastructure are the city’spension obligations. The re-cession caused losses in thefunds’ investments, in-creasing the future liabilityto taxpayers. We have con-tracted with an actuary for aplan so workers will receivepromised pensions withoutputting all the burden oncurrent taxpayers.

Government’s mission isoptimizing quality of life forits citizens, but with rea-sonable taxes and fees.Quality of life is importantto both current residents,and for attracting futurejobs and job seekers. Wehave been fortunate to havegood jobs in our communi-ty, but they are always at

risk. Just to stay even, wemust ensure that our citycompares well to othercommunities.

To attract prosperity, wemust stand out in some way,we can’t just be “average,”but we can’t afford to “do itall” either. That meansmaking choices — and hav-ing a deliberate “vision” tobe better than our competi-tion.

This future vision is soimportant that we must en-sure citizens have an oppor-tunity to understand ouroptions and provide input.Every citizen has a stake inour city’s direction — bothas a resident and a taxpayer— and should have an op-portunity to be heard. I haveurged the city council to fa-cilitate a community visionprocess, possibly jointlywith other local govern-ments.

For our future, the finan-cial stabilization and plan-ning we have accomplishedwill prove beneficial, andthe adjustments alreadymade will leverage evengreater prosperity.

Stockton is mayor of Bloomington.


Steve Stockton

205127422051272051272051272051220512051272051272050051202051272020512755520512720512752051271127051272051220512727205127051272051275127205127722051205127205055205120512705127220512705205127510512720512220512770555121275 220512720512751270512720512755125112051275511222 1512700 42444242424242222242444242444222422424442222444224242424

ANNUAL REPORT

Bloomington prepared for future vision

: The Pantagraph/LORI

ANN COOK-NEISLER

Trysta Sorensen, 9, of Pontiac

holds a sign in support of

Dwight prison where her fa-

ther works during a rally at

Dwight Township High School

on March 5, 2012.


An Ameren utility tower supplies power to a westside Bloom-

ington subdivision.Ameren customers will now be able to ob-

tain power through outside contractors.

Dwight prison closure looms

Communities bargain for cheaper electricity rates

www.pantagraph.com The Pantagraph • Saturday, March 23, 2013 • 5ANNUAL REPORT

20514041

2051399820513920513920513920513951395139515139513920513320513205 32051392051392051395139131392 513205139205139005139998988988898889989988999

VISIT US IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTONGreat Food Specials!Great Drink Specials!

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2051

4010

102 W. Washington, Bloomington

309-828-0142

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1-309-824-38291-309-824-3829Koch’sKoch’s

122 W. Main, Lexington, IL • 1-309-530-9032122 W. Main, Lexington, IL • 1-309-530-903220516250

“I make it happen...

You make it home!”

[email protected]

www.JacquiMillerHomes.com

(309) 261-2284

Each Offi ce is Independently Owned and Operated

2051

5932

Call JacquiMILLER

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Caroline [email protected]

One Call Is All You Need To Make.

Heart of AmericaREALTORS® , LTD

We Specialize in Sales & Service for John Deere, Woods, Unverferth,J&M, Frontier, eXmark & Stihl.

Agriculture • Lawn & Garden

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LEXINGTON

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20516099

Production Plant •R.R. 1, LeRoy • 962-293120516089

Operating inLeRoy for34 Years!

20516078www.leroyfertilizer.com

“Don’t Put It Off, Put It On!”

208 Cherry St.,LeRoy

962-201120516085

Proud to be a part of the

LeRoy Community Dena Swigart (309) 661-1972 • (309) 825-2194

Email: [email protected] Web: www.denaswigart.com

©2013 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. An independently owned and operated broker member of Prudential Real Estate Affi liates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential

Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license. Equal Housing Opportunity.

We Service Most Brands of TVs.

Proud to Sell LG!Mike’s Electronics

“Be Smart - Buy Smart - Come See Us!”Rt. 150 West, LeRoy • 309-962-8154

Over 37 Years of SALES & SERVICE!

2051608720516070

Your Full ServiceGrocery Store!★ Bakery ★ Deli★ Fresh Meats★ Produce

— Open 7 Days a Week! —200 S. Chestnut, LeRoy

Spotlight on LeRoy 2013 Summer 2013 Summer EventsEvents

June Smokin’ in the Park Car Show Intertribal Pow WowAugust Fall Festival

By Lenore [email protected]

Heartland CommunityCollege charted a course forits future, Eureka Collegeopened a new residencehall and Lincoln College in-stituted new programs tohold down students’ costsin 2012.

Heartland CommunityCollege

A strategic plan that callson Heartland CommunityCollege to encourage opencommunication and com-munity collaboration, cre-ate access to lifelong learn-ing and support studentsuccess was approved bythe board of trustees in Oc-tober.

Hand in hand with de-veloping the strategic plan,Heartland officials engagedin a visioning process thatbrought more than 170business leaders and othersto campus to discuss trendsand needs and how Heart-land can help meet thoseneeds.

In another move thatlooked toward the future,Heartland began operationof an industrial-size windturbine on campus, whichis ultimately expected tomeet about half theschool’s energy needs. The$5.2 million project is beingpaid through federal andstate grants as well as sav-ings in electrical costs.

As a celebration in Sep-tember, board chairmanGregg Chadwick describedthe turbine as “a class-room, a laboratory, a jobcreator, a revenue generatorand a tax saver.”

The turbine and otherenvironmental effortshelped Heartland win abronze award from the Illi-nois Campus Sustainabili-ty Compact.

Eureka College

The opening of the $6million, three-story IvyHall residence hall wasamong the highlights of2012 for Eureka College.

The residence hall,which houses 87 students,opened Jan. 14, 2012, and

was part of a project thatalso included refurbishingand upgrading systems atthe Gunzenhauser andFounders Court residencehalls. Some of that workwas done in 2011.

Expanding opportunitiesfor its students, Eureka en-tered into an exchangepartnership with LingnanUniversity in China inApril.

A $75,000 grant from theCaterpillar Foundation willallow five students to studyat Lingnan. The first threestudents participated in thefall semester. Two more arestudying there duringspring semester 2013.

The school also contin-ued to honor the legacy ofits most famous graduate,former president RonaldReagan, hosting its firstVisiting Reagan Scholar,best-selling author CraigShirley in October.

Shirley, author of twobooks on Reagan, led afour-part course called“Reagan 101” that focusedon Reagan’s presidentialcampaigns. The first classwas recorded by C-SPANfor its Lectures in Historyseries.

Lincoln College

A new scholarship pro-gram called the Opportu-nity Grant was instituted in2012 to allow Lincoln Col-lege students to receivefrom $500 to $3,000 bycompleting the enrollmentprocess early. This was afollow-up to the collegelowering its tuition by 24percent at its Lincoln cam-pus and 28 percent at itsNormal campus — to$17,500 and $16,500, re-spectively, for the 2012-13school year — and othersteps aimed at limiting stu-dent debt.

A highlight for the Nor-mal campus in 2012 was ex-ceeding an enrollment of300 students in its Accel-erated Bridge to Educationprogram, which is designedfor working adults seekingto complete their bache-lor’s degree. The collegecollaborated with Heart-land Community College toadd a Capstone Degree op-

tion for students with as-sociate’s degrees in appliedscience to get a bachelor’sdegree.

On the Lincoln campus,the college launched a Ci-vility Initiative in fall 2012.The program discouragessuch actions as foul lan-guage and general rude-ness; it rewards studentswith free pizzas, T-shirtsand other items for positivecivil behavior.


The hub and blades of the new wind turbine under construction are lifted into place at Heart-

land Community College in Normal on April 11, 2012.

Wind power comes to Heartland campusEureka College teams with Chinese university,Lincoln sees enrollment surge in working adults

20513340

20513993

Your Lifestyle.Your Landscape.Your Enjoyment.

1804 Towanda Barnes Rd.Bloomington, IL 61705

(309) 662-8527www.grieders.com

B RIAN T HOENNES Life • Home • Car • Farm • Business

Seek Shelter Today!

FOR PERSONAL SERVICE, SEEK SHELTER TODAY.

See Brian Thoennes 410 N. Clinton • Blm. • Ph. 829-8451

20513167

ESTABLISHED

1964

20513149

ESTABLISHED

1964

Celebrating 48 years

of serving Central Illinois!

• Asphalt Paving• Ready Mix Concrete• Complete Maintenance• Landscape Materials

827-481120514001

2010 Fox Creek RoadBloomington, IL

309.828.4580www.niepagens.com

Look for us on Facebook!

20513171

ESTABLISHED

1963

Serving seniors & their families since 1963.

HeritageOfCare.com

20513011

ESTABLISHED

1963 19963 AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS

www.aamco.com321 S. Main,Bloomington

Nationwide Warrantyat over 800 Locations!

(309) 828-3337

20513987

1540 E. College Ave.Normal

309-452-7436www.themusicshoppe.com

20513002

1960ESTABLISHED

20513020513002

Flowers forevery occasion ...

Eldon Haab, AIFDJane Haab

309-829-1001800-792-4222

1208 Towanda, Bloomington20513858

David Davis Mansion

State Historic Site

Big House. Big Story. Big Adventure

daviddavismansion.org

1000 Monroe Dr.Bloomington(309) 828-1084

ESTABLISHED

1960

20513150

ESTABLISHED

1956Tarvin’s

Water Conditioning

#8 Gilmore Dr.Bloomington

(309) 663-4400

1954ESTABLISHED

WWW.THECOPYSHOPONLINE.COM

302 E. Washington,Bloomington

(309) 827-5466

2051

3969

20513105

WRIGHT’SQuality Furniture,

Flooring & AppliancesThe “Wright” Store For You

115 E. Madison, Pontiac(815) 844-7177

20512993

808 IAA Dr.Bloomington, IL800-676-2541www.iaacu.org

1951ESTABLISHED

20513576

McLean CountyUnit 5

1809 W. Hovey, NormalPh. 309-557-4000www.unit5.org

ESTABLISHED

19481947ESTABLISHED

104 E. Wood St. Bloomington

309-829-3360www.bloomingtonha.com

Providing quality affordable housing and self-suffi ciency opportunities to low and moderate income citizens

of McLean County.

20513125

“Together We’re Better”

Pontiac • Odell • DwightForrest • Fairbury

www.bankofpontiac.comMember FDIC

Member Pontiac Bancorp, Inc.

20513152

ESTABLISHED

1946

(309) 826•4066•2100 Bunn St•Bloomington

FISH FRYSthe 1st & 3rd Fridays of Each Month with COUNTRY BAND ENTERTAINMENT

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ALL WELCOME

Book your Parties, Banquets and Receptions with us!

Fishing Memberships AvailableCheck us out on Facebook

20513184

1944ESTABLISHED

1208 N. TOWANDAIN TOWANDA PLAZA

309-827-8541Hours:

M-F 7-5 p.m., Sat. 8-4 p.m.

Barbershop Chorus

Meets Every Tuesday Night

7:00 - 9:30 PM

www.soundofi llinois.com

(309) 846-7123

20513875

ESTABLISHED

1942“SOUND OF

ILLINOIS CHORUS”

Our Founder, Dr. Watson Gailey, opened the fi rst Gailey Eye Clinic in Bloomington, Illinois in 1941. He was a nationally re-nowned specialist and a true pioneer in ophthalmology that was devoted to pro-viding world class eye care. Gailey Eye Clinic continues to uphold Dr. Gailey’s vi-sion, providing our patients with the most advanced treatments and highest quality eye care. We have grown to include 13 Ophthalmologists, 6 Optometrists, and 16 locations in the Central Illinois region, each living up to the impeccable reputa-tion of the Gailey name. To schedule an appointment, please call 800-325-7706.

ESTABLISHED

1941

20513999

1811 Eastland Drive801 W. Market Street

(Inside the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church)Bloomington | 661.1166www.midillinicu.com

20512980

1932ESTABLISHED

Locally Owned & Operated

American-Made Vacuums!!

“Like” us on

814 IAA Drive, Bloomington, Illinois, 61701

(309) 662 7272www.nybakke.com

20513043

82 Great Years

Residential • CommercialFully Insured

Illinois State License #1

Bloomington - Ph. 309-828-2741 Chenoa - Ph. 815-945-2141Pontiac - Ph. 815-842-1627

Fax: 815-945-706620513795

1930ESTABLISHED

MIDSTATEPODIATRY

ASSOCIATES, LTD

2708 McGraw Drive., Bloomingtonwww.midstatepodiatry.com

800-475-5977 • 309-663-2306

“A Step Ahead in Foot Care”

ESTABLISHED

1920

Goodfi eld 309-965-2221Eureka 309-467-2747

Metamora Coming soon

“Woodford County’s Only Independent Locally

Owned Bank!”20512999

ESTABLISHED

191 7307 E. Grove St., Bloomington

309.828.50371507 E. Vernon, Normal

309.662.2886

www.ClayDooley.com • Expert Auto Service • Expert Advice • ASE Certifi ed Technicians

1917ESTABLISHED

2051

3951

STOP IN AND SEEOUR NEW SHOWROOM!

• Full Service Coffee Bar• Children’s Activity Center• Comfortable Customer Lounge

Complete line ofPre-owned vehicles too!

2030 Ireland Grove Rd, Bloomington

309-663-4391View all our inventory at

www.shopbarker.com

1916ESTABLISHED

2051

3666

Costigan & Wollrab, P.C.

308 E. Washington StreetBloomington, IL 61701

(309) 828-4310www.cwlawoffi ce.com

Attorneys at Law

20513104

First StateBank ofForrest

Member FDIC“A strong friend for

your family”133 E. Krack St., Forrest, IL

(815) 657-8248603 W. Oak Street, Fairbury, IL

(815) 692-4321115 N. Chestnut, Onarga, IL

(815) 268-7351

20513101

STATE BANK OF GRAYMONT

Member FDIC“A Full Service Bank Where

Friendliness Prevails”Box 47, Graymont

815-743-5951314 Crittendon, Chenoa

815-945-78711100 W. Howard, Pontiac

815-844-4433

www.sbofgray.com

20513683

ESTABLISHED

1908

• Child Care• Hallmark Programs• Home Care Services• Medivan• RSVP• Stepping Stones• Wheels to Work

1201 N. Hershey Rd.Bloomington, IL 61704

(309) 662-0461www.ywcamclean.org

ESTABLISHED

1906

Business, PersonalLife & Health

1 Brickyard Dr.Bloomington

(309) 664-18002051349720512995

1898ESTABLISHED

Morris Tick CompanyRecycling

• Aluminum Cans • Scrap Metal & Iron Tick Steel Fabrication • Steel Sales • Custom Fabrication • On Site Welding

501 E. Stewart St. • Bloomington, IL 61701Scrap 828-6084 • Steel 829-0655

www.morristick.com

1890ESTABLISHED

All types of Repairs...

Watch, Clock & Jewelry

New & Antique

217-935-4583600 West Side Square - Clinton

2051315820513177

ESTABLISHED

1890BLOOMINGTONTENT & AWNING“Always a Shade Better”

Since 1890

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL AWNINGS & TENT RENTALS

www.bloomingtontent-awning.com

828-3411

• Back Lit Awnings• Retractable Awnings• Canopies

• Custom Made Fabric Products• Pool & Boat Covers• Tent Sales

20512997

1884ESTABLISHED

812 I.A.A. Dr.,

Bloomington, IL 61701

Ph. (309) 663-0355

20512967

1872ESTABLISHED

1104 N. Main St.Bloomington, IL 61701

(309) 828-2422

20513974

For Youth Development • For Healthy Living

For Social Responsibility

Bloomington-Normal YMCA602 S. Main St.

Bloomington, IL 61701309-827-6233

www.bnymca.org

20513068www.chenoail.org

ILLINOIS

20513820

301 W. Washington St.Bloomington, IL

Pantagraph.com

ESTABLISHED

1837

20513022

ESTABLISHED

183 7

Sunday Worship:8:30 & 11 a.m.401 W. Jefferson

Bloomington829-9327

First First Christian Christian ChurchChurch

(Disciples of Christ)www.blmfcc.com

20513146

ESTABLISHED

Early 1800s

(309) 827-6950

302 E. Miller St.Bloomington, IL 61701

www.evergreen-cemetery.com

Honor Rollof area businesses� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

6 • The Pantagraph • Saturday, March 23, 2013 www.pantagraph.comANNUAL REPORT

20513344

20513798

1993ESTABLISHED

CJ’s RESTAURANT

2901 E. Empire, Blm.

663-4444Always Fresh, Always Original!

20513979

ESTABLISHED

1992

1702 W. College Ave., Ste A-3Normal, IL

309-661-1726www.merrymaids.com

Locally Owned

1217 S. Adelaide St.

Normal, IL 61761

Lic. #058107624 20512934

Family Owned & Operated Over 20 Years!

(309) 452-4848

ESTABLISHED 1992

20513163

ESTABLISHED

1992

At-Home Care For Your Loved Ones!

CNAs, NAs &Companions/Homemakers

www.acaringtouch.infoBloomington • 309.828.1516

Pontiac • 815.844.240020513790

ESTABLISHED

1991

For better grades call Sylvan today!

ReadingMath/Algebra

WritingStudy Skills

ACT Test Prep

Normal 662-8537

Peoria 683-3601

ESTABLISHED

1991

• 23 Years of Knowledge & Experience in the Home Building & Real Estate Business

• Specializing in Real Estate Brokerage, New Construction, & Remodeling

• We will make the experienceas stress free as possible!

• From our Home to yours......

Each Offi ce Independently Owned and Operated.

Bob Brady309.275.0836

2051

3970

20513072

MIDWEST MIDWEST EXCHANGEEXCHANGE

512 IAA DriveEmpire Plaza

309-662-7296309-662-7296superfastcash.com

Home of Quick Cash

2051

2971

ESTABLISHED

1990

FAMILY RESTAURANT

1412 E. Empire, Blm.(309) 828-8080

SERVING BREAKFAST ALL DAY LONG –

TRY OUR FAMOUSOMELETTE!

1404 Eastland Drive Suite 203Bloomington IL 61701

1508 W Reynolds St Suite B Pontiac IL 61764309-662-8346

[email protected]

20513121

218 N. Main StreetP.O. Box 622

Pontiac, IL 61764815-844-6692

[email protected] the web: PontiacProud.org

218 N Main Street

2051

2976

1988ESTABLISHED

1328 E. Empire St.

Bloomington IL

309.662.8892interiorsbythecottage.com

• Hunter Douglas

• Blinds • Shades

• Shutters

• Custom Draperies

• Professional Installation

ESTABLISHE

• Hunter Douglas

• Blinds • Shades

• Shutters

• Custom Draperies

• Professional Instal

ESTABLISHED

1986

Sue Strang, Sue Strang, Managing Broker

CRP, CRS, GRI, PMN, SFRFULL TIME REALTOR FOR 26+ YEARS.

2051

3953

SUE STRANG REALTY GROUP309-824-0002

[email protected]

Sue Strang

2051

3793

1985ESTABLISHED

Ceneral Contractors

Construction managers

Design/Build

309.663.6518

303 N. Hershey Rd., Suite B

Bloomington, 61704

www.johnstoncontractors.com

20513755

1015 S. Mercer Avenue, Bloomington, IL 61701

ESTABLISHED

19851983ESTABLISHED

2051

4000

138 East Beaufort Street, Suite A

Normal, IL309-888-4444www.FirstSiteApartments.com

72 Locations. On-Campus College Living & Off-Campus Residential.

20513091

DRISCOLLWE ARE PROFESSIONAL GRADE

1030 W. Reynolds, Pontiac(815) 842-1143

or (800) 851-7605www.driscollmotors.com20513783

1210 Fort Jesse Road,Normal, Illinois

309.454.1611

www.BratcherComfort.com

1983ESTABLISHED

20513019

taxaccountingplus.com

501 N. ClintonBloomington

(309) 827-4010

Our Tax Professionals have 9-26 Years Experience!

20513863

http://haaqg.tripod.com/

Join us for

Quilt Spectrum 2013,

Sentimental Journey, which

will be held on April 20th & 21st

at Illinois Wesleyan University’s

Shirk Center.

1982ESTABLISHED

ABBEYP L A C E M E N T S

Staffi ng with the Right People

2310 E. Oakland Ave., Suite 5Bloomington, IL

309-662-6680www.abbeyplacements.com

1982ESTABLISHED

2051

3000

1981ESTABLISHED

Canine Classic Spa & Resort

2405 Springfi eld Rd., Blm.

309-829-5023www.k9classics.com

So Exclusive...Only Pets Are Allowed!!

• Doggi Daycare• Boarding• Grooming• Training

205130212051

2992

1980ESTABLISHED

1615 E Empire St, Bloomington, IL 61701

(309) 663-2241moleholeofeastland.com

New Vera Bradley Summer Launch...Available Now!

20513005

1980ESTABLISHED

1201 South Main, Normal

(309) 452-5727www.etchesonspaandpool.com

Schedule your pool openings today!

1980ESTABLISHED

Our offi ce is open 7 days a week

20512730

309-827-8576www.apartment-mart.com

Over 1000 apartments in more than 30

great locations!

20513020

2025 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington (309) 663-6474

www.westminstervillageinc.com

A Complete Continuing Care

Retirement Community• Retirement Living Apartments• The Willows Duplexes• Licensed Assisted Living• Martin Health Center

Locally Owned & Operated!

Westminster Village

20513141

BLOOMINGTONMEATS

2401 S. Bunn St.

Bloomington, IL

(309) 828-9731

“Best meat on Bunn”

North Street & Broadway

In The Heart of Normal

309.452.1612Mon.: 9 – 6 • Tues. – Fri.: 9 – 5

Saturday: 9 – 3

www.solidgoldjewelers.net

ESTABLISHED

1978

2051

2982

20513113

“Where Service Makes Friends”

I-55 & Rt. 116 • Pontiac(815) 842-3344

Websites: www.lynnchevroletbuick.com

www.lynnchevroletbuick.net

Email: [email protected]

ESTABLISHED

1976BILL’S KEY &LOCK SHOPCelebrating 36 years

in our Normal location.127 E. Beaufort

Ph. (309) 454-1713and our Bloomington

location opened in December of 2001

402 N. MainPh. (309) 827-5522

ESTABLISHED

1976

• 37 Years of Experience• 2012 RE/MAX Choice #1 Individual

Sales Broker of the Year.• Ranked #1 in the RE/MAX Illinois/St.

Louis Region for 2012.

AL LEGGCell:

309-531-2177Email:

[email protected]:

allegg.com

Each Offi ce Independently Owned and Operated.

.

2051

3943

2051

3788

ESTABLISHED

1974

Supporting Music today and tomorrow

• Instrument Rental & Repair• Sheet Music & Accessories• Yamaha Digital Pianos• Private Lessons

802 S. Eldorado Rd., Blm309-661-1116

www.kiddermusic.com20513010

ESTABLISHED

1974

1336 E. Empire, Bloomington

(309) 663-PLUS888-231-8430

www.horines.net

HORINE’S

YOUR FINER PIANO SHOW ROOM

PIANOS PLUSTOTAL

INVENTORYSALE

GOING ON NOW!!

2051

3794

ESTABLISHED

1974

“Custom Home Builders”www.charlieknappbuilders.com

662•5250

20512977

7717A North University

Peoria, IL 61614

(309) 692-1277

417 North Main

Bloomington, IL 61701

(309) 829-7529

www.imusicenter.com

1972ESTABLISHED

Route Information

309.828.9833www.connect-transit.com

The safe and reliable way to get there!

2051

3006

1971ESTABLISHED

Check out our weekly Pantagraph ads for savings on Hunter-Douglas

products!

ESTABLISHED

1971

MIKE FLYNNCOLDWELL BANKER COMMERCIALHEART OF AMERICA REALTORS®

mfl [email protected]

Serving McLean County for Over 40 YEARS

BROKER – LAWYER – REALTOR® 2051

3939

20513129

1971ESTABLISHED

McLean County’s Choice Since 1971

KURT ZIMMER, OWNER

662-5823kurtsautobody.com

2205 Ireland Grove Rd.,Bloomington

SpringIs Here

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ESTABLISHED

1971GENE’SDairy Delight

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1971ESTABLISHED

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Like many otherschool districtsacross the state of

Illinois, Bloomington Dis-trict 87 is experiencingchallenging financial times.These challenges are due inlarge part to declining rev-enue sources at the local,state and federal levels.

Despite these difficulties,we recognize the impor-tance of providing the verybest education to our stu-dents. District 87 fully ac-cepts and remains commit-ted to this responsibility.

Our board of educationhas moved forward with re-vising our mission and vi-sion statements to more ac-curately reflect the expec-tations of our students,staff and community.

The new statements willlay out clear priorities forDistrict 87 schools. Thesepriorities will no doubt in-clude providing our stu-dents with an educationthat will prepare them wellfor life beyond high school.

The best way to accom-plish this is to provide high-quality principals, teachersand other staff members,along with an outstandingcurriculum, to help stu-dents thrive in and out ofthe classroom.

The future of education isalready here, and it shouldbe available 24 hours perday, seven days per week.

Today, there are a num-ber of high-quality supple-mental resources our teach-ers and students can access

through the Internet duringthe school day. This is agreat thing for our students.

However, some studentsdo not have reliable, high-quality, high-speed accessat home.

This is a very importantissue, as this communityhas done great work to re-duce the achievement gapthat exists between low-in-come and non low-incomestudents.

To ignore this issue willalmost certainly increasethe achievement gap, es-sentially negating the greatwork of many who havecontributed over the years.To ensure this does nothappen, we need to work asa community so access tothe Internet is not an issuefor any student.

Equal access for all stu-dents will shift the cultureof teaching and learning asstudents become more re-sponsible for their learning.

It is this change in theculture of teaching andlearning that moves cur-riculum and learning be-yond the school walls andbeyond the school day.

A supplement is the ad-

dition of technology de-vices to help advance thecurriculum and lead to sig-nificant improvement instudent achievement.

We are beginning to seethis as we pilot one-to-onedevices in classrooms at alllevels, without the devicesleaving the buildings.Imagine the great possibili-ties when students do get totake them home.

I read an article from aprofessional journal recent-ly that suggested changingthe phrase “one-to-one” to“one-to-world.”

That one-word changebroadens the vision to aworld of opportunities forstudents. I believe this is thepath toward greater studentachievement and I’mpleased District 87 will con-tinue to move forward.

A logical question is howDistrict 87 can afford to dothis while facing a signifi-cant deficit. It certainly hashad an impact on the paceat which we move forward.

We have slowed our pilotprogram while moving de-liberately and patiently tolearn best practices fromour teachers participatingin the pilot.

We have a responsibilityto provide the best possibleeducation to our students.The future of education ishere, and all of our studentsdeserve an equal opportu-nity at this future.

Reilly is superintendent, BloomingtonSchool District 87.

People are inevitablysurprised by the sizeand scope of Chest-

nut Health Systems. A not-for-profit organization onceknown as the substanceabuse treatment center“Lighthouse,” Chestnut to-day employs some 750 peo-ple providing services from25 locations through Illinoisin seven distinct businesses.

Long known for work inbehavioral health, Chestnutremains a leader in provid-ing addiction treatment foradults and adolescents. Inaddition to our treatmentfacilities in the Bloomingtonarea, Chestnut offers addic-tion treatment services inthe Metro East area near St.Louis with more than 300Chestnut employees.

In the Bloomington area,Chestnut also offers mentalhealth treatment to individ-uals, couples and families.We serve as the communitymental health center in St.Clair and Madison counties,the two largest populationcenters in the Metro Eastarea. Our staff tends to thesignificant needs of Illi-noisans who suffer from se-rious mental illness.

In the past decade, recog-nizing an unmet need,Chestnut has committed tooffer an array of affordablehousing for the homelesswho have a mental illnessand/or a substance abuseproblem. Chestnut providesnearly 250 housing units incentral and southwesternIllinois, providing safe and

secure shelter to clients forwhom homelessness was animpediment to recovery.

In the past year, ChestnutHealth Systems has em-barked on a strategic initia-tive, the Chestnut FamilyHealth Center, which is amedical clinic to serve thegreater Bloomington-Nor-mal community and ensureour clients have access to amedical home. People withbehavioral health issueshave an array of medicalproblems that often go un-addressed. Many primarycare providers are unaccus-tomed to working with peo-ple with addiction issues orpsychiatric disabilities.Many adult clients of Chest-nut’s addiction treatmentprograms have untreatedhigh blood pressure, respi-ratory ailments or liver dis-ease. Most women who needresidential substance abusetreatment have not had rec-ommended annual preven-tive care for five years ormore. The new clinic is des-ignated as a federally quali-fied health center, the onlyone in McLean County. Wethank Advocate BroMennMedical Center and OSF St.

Joseph Medical Center forsupporting Chestnut.

Chestnut’s credit coun-seling program helps indi-viduals and families betterthemselves financially byproviding budget and debtmanagement services andeducation. Our LighthouseInstitute research and train-ing division enjoys a stellarnational reputation. Thesubstance abuse appraisaltool developed by theBloomington-based insti-tute is licensed to more than3,000 organizational units in48 states, six Canadianprovinces and six othercountries. Chestnut GlobalPartners provides employeeassistance and wellnessservices to about 1.4 millionpeople in more than 125countries through venturesin Brazil, China, India, Rus-sia and Mexico.

Chestnut Health Systems’mission is “making a differ-ence by improving quality oflife through excellence inservice.” We have beenbuilding on this commit-ment for 40 years. Using anapproach that is infrequent-ly found among not-for-profit organizations, Chest-nut has built a sizable, di-verse and highly respectedorganization in the behav-ioral healthcare field. Itsstaff of several hundred inBloomington-Normal areenhancing the quality of lifein our community.

Sender is chief operating officer,Chest-nut Health Systems,Bloomington.


Barry Reilly Alan Sender

20514033

2051

4005

A local family-owned shopspecializing in beer brewing and wine

making supplies and equipment.604 Dale St. Suite A1 • Normal

(309)862-0700tchomebrewing.comtchomebrewing.com

TWIN CITYTWIN CITYHomebrewing

HOME BREWING

2011ESTABLISHED

20513625

It’s Like Getting a Bedroom

And Bath For Free!

At $695 (plus utilities) our

3br/2bth row home

Certain income restrictions apply.309.451.5555 [email protected] W. Orlando, Normal, IL. 61761

Weekdays 9 to 5 Sat. 10 to 2 Sun. Closed

Perfect for couples, families

and roommate sharing.

Come by and see why.

ESTABLISHED

20112011ESTABLISHED

1716 RT Dunn Drive, Suite 4 Bloomington

309-808-2125www.core3pm.com

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

MANAGEMENT

2051

2988

ESTABLISHED

2009Check out the new

Vera Bradley Summer Launch

Stop in today!

114 North Street(Uptown Normal)

Normal | 452-7999

2007ESTABLISHED

M&S SECURITY SERVICES,

LLC

1012 S. Main St., Bloomington

Ph. (309) 829-9800

2051

4006

Mickey Little, Owner

CHUCK BEELERBROKER

COMMITTED—COMPETENT CARING

(309)[email protected]

2051

3965

2013 Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate.Some offi ces Independently Owned and Operated.

Heart of AmericaREALTORS® , LTD

ESTABLISHED

2007

20513995

2676 Ropp Rd.

Normal, IL 61761

(309) 452-3641

www.roppcheese.com20512727

ESTABLISHED

2009

1602 Glenbridge Rd.& 2003 Jacobssen

Bloomington309-663-5800

www.katieskids.netElevating child development

to a new level through the C.A.R.E. approach

L E A R N I N G C E N T E RA T T H E L I N K S

ESTABLISHED

2004

John L. Zozzaro, D.C.

1713 Fort Jesse RoadSuite D

Normal, IL 61761

Ph. 309-829-3655

2051

3748

2004ESTABLISHED

2051

3958

ONLY 10 MINUTES Northof Menards on I-55

★★ SMALL TOWN VALUES SMALL TOWN VALUES ★★

LEXINGTON, IL

STOP IN For a Test Driveand Lunch is on Us!

Guaranteed Credit Approval

309-365-2161View our complete inventory of new and used vehicles at

www.BarkerChevy.com

20512964

2003ESTABLISHED

1302 Franklin Ave., Suite 1000, Normal

(309) 268-3400www.giendo.org

Treating our community for

10 years!

2051

2729309-454-2960

www.classactrealty.comNormal, Illinois

Student & Residential Listings

ESTABLISHED

2003

20513753

1015 S. Mercer Avenue, Bloomington, IL 61701

ESTABLISHED

20012000ESTABLISHED

20513157

Daily Breakfast★ & Lunch ★

Specials803 Morrissey,Bloomington

(309) 829-0936

★ ★★ ★Café

2051

3877

Call us at309-827-4905

or309-824-4505

Email us at

[email protected]

martindalecleaning.com

ESTABLISHED

1999ESTABLISHED

1999

1206 Towanda Ave.Bloomington

Ph. 309-829-3655

Family-ownedCelebrating Almost

15 Years of Excellence 2051

2973

20513738

1997ESTABLISHED

On the Square in Historic Downtown Bloomington

2012 Season May 12 - Oct 27

Every Saturday, 7:30 - Noon

20513735

1997ESTABLISHED

great shops,great food,great times!

downtownbloomington.org

Check out F1RST FR1DAYS!20513883

CREATION’S DOG TRAINING CENTER

• Puppies

• All Levels Of Obedience

• Puppy, Tea Cup & Big Dog Agility

• TreibballNormal, IL

[email protected]

www.cdtcnormal.com

ESTABLISHED

1996

20513528

ESTABLISHED

1995

102 West Washington(309) 828-0142

YOUR SPORTS HEADQUARTERS

2051

3968

AUTO CENTER AUTO CENTER AUTO CENTER AUTO CENTER• Vehicles from $3,000 to $50,000.

• Free CARFAX on Every Vehicle.

• 100 Point Mechanical Inspections.

• National and Local Financing Available. Rates Starting at 1.9%

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. M-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday.

(309) 454-4440208 Landmark Drive, Normalwww.dennisonauto.com

ESTABLISHED

1994

309-532-1616

CindyEckols.com

#1 Team for 2010, 2011 and 2012in BL/NL and McLean County

©2013 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. An independently owned and operated

broker member of Prudential Real Estate Affi liates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Prudential,

the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related

entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license. Equal Housing Opportunity.

ESTABLISHED

1994


2013 Annual Report

�

ANNUAL REPORT

Chestnut reach expandsDist. 87 revises outlook

Dr. Trent Proehl and Dr. Brian Sipe welcome twelve surgeons to the OSF Saint James medical staff.

For your surgery needs …

OSF SAINT JAMESKEEPS GETTING BETTER.

Richard Anderson, MD General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery

Trent Proehl, MD, FACS General Surgeon, OSF Saint James Chief Medical Officer

Brian Sipe, DO Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

Julius Bonello, MD General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery

David Crawford, MD General Surgery

James DeBord, MD General Surgery, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

Norman Estes, MDGeneral Surgery

Jeffrey Lowe, DOOrthopedic Surgery

Paige Holt, MDPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Travis Holt, MDColorectal Surgery, Colonoscopy

Todd McCall, MDNeurosurgery

Andrew Tsung, MDNeurosurgery

Samir Gupta, MDGeneral Surgery

J. Stephen Marshall, MDGeneral Surgery

Our team of experienced central Illinois

surgeons is committed to providing safe

and compassionate care, using the

advanced technology at OSF Saint James –

John W. Albrecht Medical Center in

Pontiac. They perform a wide variety of

procedures with the highest quality

available anywhere. At OSF Saint James –

John W. Albrecht Medical Center, we listen

to our patients and our community to

build positive relationships.

We look forward to serving you whenever you need us.

For more information, visit www.osfsaintjames.org.

20517311

FOR HOMEOWNERSsolutions

MEMBERF.D.I.C.*Loans subject to credit approval.

• HOME EQUITY LOAN*

• HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT*

• HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS*

• 2ND MORTGAGE LOAN*20516352

“VintageCharm for

Modern Times”Tuesday-Friday 10-5

Saturday 10-4 Now open

Sunday 12-4

Old City Hall ShoppesAntiques, Gifts & Route 66 Souvenirs

321 N. Main Street • Pontiacwww.oldcityhallshoppes.blogspot.com

20516347

123 W. MadisonDowntown Pontiac

(815) 844-4194

Your Outlet to Buy, Sell andTrade Recycled Fashion!

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 am -6 pmClosed Sunday

www.oncenagain.com

Recycle the FabulousRecycle the FabulousWay in Pontiac Way in Pontiac

20516344

(815) 844-4300(815) 844-4300213 N. Mill St., 213 N. Mill St.,

Pontiac, ILPontiac, IL

Order YourEaster

Centerpieces!

20516348

Not Just a Souvenir Store!Not Just a Souvenir Store!

218 N. Main • Pontiac218 N. Main • PontiacHours: M-F 9-5; Sat-Sun 10-4

Stop InToday!

We’re Open7 Days a

Week!• Candies and Fudge

• Salsas • Crocks • Home Decor• Jewelry • And so Much More!

DRISCOLLDRISCOLL

www.driscollmotors.com1-800-851-76051-800-851-7605

Service • Sales • Parts • Rental Cars • Detailing

Spring Detail SpecialFor those who care about their cars!

*Hand wash and wax exterior, clean windows and vacuum interior. Tar removal extra. Applies to most cars. Trucks, Vans & SUV’s slightly higher. Must present coupon.at time of service. Call for an appointment.

1030 W. Reynolds, Pontiac1-815-842-1143 or

$6995*Was $79.95

Expires: 3/31/13

20516349

20515998

VisitDowntown Pontiac!


Who’s Who in Real EstateWho’s Who in Real Estate

20513328

20513879

Sheryl Scott

Sheryl is a multi-million dollar producer and brings over 24 years in sales experience and business management. She has been a native of McLean County for most of her life, and a Realtor/Broker for the past 20 years. Expertise in creating luxurious homes has created a new company known as Executive Homes, Inc. She is consistently recommended for tremendous results in residential sales. Sheryl has used her design skills to help her clients make their homes “market ready” and more competitive in todays market. Her premier marketing package repeatedly produces success stories for Seller’s in even the most diffi cult market situations. Sheryl has a long list of past clients who readily refer her to friends and family. Creative thinking, a positive attitude and excellent service are the keys to her success. Sheryl was the fi rst agent in Bloomington/Normal to post her business on the Internet over 18 years ago, and continues to offer state-of-the-art marketing technology. Sheryl has mentored new agents to successful career results. For proven results, call Sheryl when buying, selling, or building.www.bloomingtonillinoisrealestate.comor 309-825-1096

Prudential Snyder Real Estate

Cindy Eckols

At the heart of my success lies the great satisfaction I get from helping people. I always have my clients’ best interests at heart; I am honest and truthful and always try to stay in touch with them. I was #1 in the state of Illinois for a previous company in 2009 for GCI. I have had the #1 Team in McLean County and Bloomington - Normal in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and continue to strive to hold that position. Service is my top priority. In addition to being a Realtor with Prudential Snyder, I am a developer, having developed the rural subdivision named “Cloverhill.” I greatly enjoyed developing Cloverhill and certainly gained a great deal of knowledge and experience in that endeavor. Developing also has enhanced my knowledge and experience in working with new construction and builders. A personal note before I close - I am a farm girl from Armington, a small town near Bloomington/Normal. I like to think my local knowledge and my love of this community, McLean County and the surrounding counties in Central Illinois shows in my energetic approach to my profession. I have also been a teacher in the community and surrounding areas and I have a Masters Degree from the University of Illinois. My husband, Tom, grew up in Bloomington and is an attorney at State Farm. We have two daughters, Molly and Cally. I’m excited because Cally is on my team! My family supports me tremendously. I’m very fortunate. Contact Cindy today at 309-532-1616, or by email [email protected] Prudential Awards-Team of the YearCommercial Team of the YearTeam Listing LeaderTeam Sales Leader2012 Prudential Chariman’s Circle - Platinum#1 Volume Agent in BNAR


20514070

20514071

The Haas SistersTracy Haas Riley & Kristen Haas Oliver

Meet the Haas Sisters: Tracy Haas Riley and Kristen Haas Oliver of Prudential Snyder Real Estate. These sisters of real estate bring high energy and a strong commitment to their business. They are dedicated to providing a positive experience for their clients whether they are buying or selling. In addition to their over 25 years combined real estate experience, both sisters are graduates of Illinois State University. This Sister Team always strives to do their best to get you the very best home at the very best price! And if you are selling, you won’t be disappointed in their marketing commitment to your home!They welcome new clients to call or e-mail them to see for themselves the dedication and results that they provide. They also want to thank loyal clients for their business and are grateful for their referrals. Both are really appreciated!Visit them at their web site at:www.TheHaasSisters.comor callTracy at 309-275-6590 or Kristen at 309-838-6082


20514072

Dan Kniery

Dan is a lifetime resident of Bloomington/Normal. He is the past owner of Mike’s Market, a family owned and operated specialty meat and bakery grocery store. Dan is an alumnus of Central Catholic High School, former President of CCHS Booster Club, and past youth coach for basketball and baseball. Dan is married to Subie Patel Kniery and they have three sons: Michael, Patrick, and Kevin.Dan is celebrating his 20th year serving real estate community. Dan is a former president of the Bloomington/Normal Association of Realtors. While helping residents fi nd and sell their homes, Dan has received awards and recognition for top Yearly Sales, Monthly Sales Leader, Buying/Listing Leader, and Sales/Production Leader from Prudential. Dan is a supporter of local businesses and charities.The greatest compliment Dan receives to this day stems from the fact that most of his business is referred from satisfi ed clientele and friends. If you want a knowledgeable, hardworking real estate agent, then Dan is the agent for you. Give Dan a call at309-826-2473. You can visit E-mail him [email protected] is employed atPrudential Snyder Real Estate, #1 Brickyard Drive, Bloomington, IL 61701.


20514073

Tom Krieger

Meet Tom Krieger, Relocation Specialist for Prudential Snyder Real Estate. He has specialized in residential New Construction and Relocation, and Luxury Home Sales for the past 35 years. He is an 8 time Chairman’s Circle Gold Award Winner with the Prudential companies world wide. Tom was named “Listing Agent of the Year” and also “Realtor of the Year” for Prudential Snyder Real Estate 2006 and 2007. In 2009, Since relocating to the area in 1996, Tom has enjoyed working in Bloomington-Normal’s excellent market. Tom is currently a member of the BNAR Board of Directors. Tom’s sales volume exceeded 15 million in 2012. Tom believes that buying or building a new home should be an enjoyable experience. He feels that buyers need someone with the background and “know-how” to take care of the details so that it can be enjoyable.Tom offers that expertise and exceptional service. You can contact Tom at (309) 275-0659 or (309) [email protected]


Deb Connor

# 1 Agent in 2012#1 Company inMcLean CountyDeb Connor gets results! Call 309-531-1912. Deb is a top producer and has been providing real estate services to our community for over 20 years. She is well established in the community and has many satisfi ed clients and an extensive network of professional and local clients.Deb is a full service agent. She is associated with many relocation companies and universities.Deb advertises your property on several websites, including www.cbhoa.comand www.bnrealtors.comEmail: [email protected] DEB TODAY!

Coldwell Banker Heart of America Realtors

20513888

20513891

Don and Lorna Ray, Realtor Associates of Coldwell Banker Heart of America Realtors, 802 S. Eldorado Rd., Bloomington, are committed to giving you the highest level of service whether you are selling your current prop-erty or buying a new home. They are both ready to go the second mile to assure that your home buying or selling experience is as smooth and pleasant as possible. As frequent corporate movers themselves Don and Lorna understand the needs and emotions involved in a move and will be with you through each step, taking care of the many details involved and guiding you towards a successful conclusion of your transaction. Give them a call today at:

309-532-1624 – Don Mobile309-830-0163 – Lorna Mobile309-664-3601 – Offi cerayteam.net or cbhoa.com


Don & Lorna Ray

Anne Fleer

A native of Bloomington, Anne is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Degree in Business Administration/Marketing. She is familiar with the area, the schools, and the community – all important factors if you are relocating to McLean County. Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Heart of America, she worked in the fi nancial industry and held positions in mortgage lending, marketing, and was also the comptroller of a fi nancial institution. She then was asked to join a Marketing/Sales team for a Fortune 50 Communications Company supporting one of their largest customers, where she was recognized as being in the top 1% of the company’s sales force. She has experience in lending, marketing, contract negotiations, advertising, and customer service – all important facets of a real estate transaction. Anne has been actively involved in the community having served on the Boards of The United Way and The Arthritis Foundation. In addition she has worked with the American Cancer Society, Special Olympics, The Children’s Advocacy center, her church, and the schools in the area. She loves real estate and is committed to her clients. She pledges honesty, integrity, and that she will prioritize her clients needs. She measures her success by delighting her customers. She can be reached at 309-826-2178,afl [email protected], or via her website at www.annefl eer.com.


2051

4062

The LaneRealtor Team

The Lane Realtor Team offers advantage of knowledge and experience while keeping pace with current technology.Joe has 15 years’ experience in the real estate profession combined with 20 years’ of banking experience in the Bloomington/Normal area. He takes pride in providing professional, extraordinary customer service.Joey has 11 years’ experience in the computer retail and repair business and has been selling real estate since 2009.Allen Fry our newest member of The Lane Realtor Team was born and raised in Bloomington/Normal. Allen has 15 years’ experience in the insurance industry. He is married and the father of two children. Allen looks forward to providing exceptional customer service to his clients.Check out our website atwww.thelanerealotrs.comand let us help you fi nd your dream home.Joe 275-0743Joey 825-6609Allen 826-4137


20514065

Working hard with dedication pays off; Being a successful Real Estate Broker is just the proof of how I have earned my Clients’ trust, loyalty & referral. I have the privilege of loving my job and dedicating all my resources to provide the best Customer Service to my Clients with professionalism and knowledge of the market. I have Multi-cultural Background, and know several languages such as Italian, Persian, understand Spanish and Russian. Graduated from ISU in Business Information Systems and have kept investing in education and technology to help me accomplish my Clients’ objectives in buying or selling their houses for the best possible value and in a timely manner. See for yourselves and let me assist you through the whole process to make your move to be a smooth and a pleasant one working hard but smart for you! Please call, text or email me at any time for all your Real Estate needs!Mobile:309-826-5559Offi ce: 309-664-3615www.lilianacbhoa.comEmail: [email protected]

Liliana TaimooraziColdwell Banker Heart of America Realtors

20514314

Becky is a life time resident of BL/NL. She attended University High School and Illinois State University. She is married to Doug Gerig who is from the Gridley area who sells Commercial Real Estate for Douglas R. Gerig Commercial Properties. They have eight wonderful children and their family attends Heartland Community Church. Becky is very passionate about her Real Estate career. She has been selling Real Estate for 27 years and as a Veteran Agent she has earned many accomplishments and awards over the years. In 2012 she was in the top 50 agents in the community and made the 100% Club with RE/MAX International. She prides herself in enjoying all aspects of the business. She is a specialist in many areas: fi rst time home buyers, relocation buyers, listing of existing homes and new construction. She is very comfortable in the New Construction arena because of her father and brother being in the business as Gannaway Construction. She provides a one hour consultation free for discussing any of your Real Estate needs. Please call her at 309-212-4120 or text her the same number or email her at [email protected]. Becky’s spiritual belief isJohn 3:16!

RE/MAX Choice

20513898

Becky Gerig

Nancy Brady

Nancy Brady is a full-time REALTOR® with 26 years of experience. A native of Bloomington-Normal, she has always been active in the community, especially with Easter Seals and St. Joseph Hospital. She has sold over $175,000,000 in real estate. She is very involved with her 13 grandchildren. Nancy enjoys golf and her time with friends. She appreciates the loyalty of all the new friends she has had the opportunity to work with and feels fortunate to have them as her best source of referrals. Nancy really cares about your needs and wants to fi nd the best home for you. If you are selling, she will work very hard to make it easy for you. She will always call you back with a smile.309-242-1311309-664-8517

RE/MAX Choice

20513902

Frankie andLois Team

You DREAM the DREAM. We have the TEAM that makes your DREAMS come true. Call FRANKIE or LOIS, the TEAM that WORKS for YOU.Frankie Thornton, Broker309-824-0714Lois Brennan, Broker309-825-8892

RE/MAX Choice

20514075

Al Legg

AL LEGGBroker, CRS, CSP, RMM, QSC. He started as a Full-Time Real Estate Professional in 1976 and became a Broker in 1982, placing him with RE/MAX Choice for over 37 years.

AL was born and raised in Pontiac, Illinois. He has been married to Jan for 34 years. Their daughter Anne is married to Matt Steinman. On November 5, 2012, Al and Jan became the proud grandparents of Kaelyn Harper Steinman.

AL has earned the title of#1 RE/MAX Sales Agentin All of 2012, 2011, 2010 & 2008 in S. Illinois/MO Region. He also acquired the title of 2012 RE/MAX Choice “Sales Associate of the Year” and achieved this title since 2002, 10 solid years demonstrating his Enthusiasm to be a true Top Professional.

He received the Certifi ed New Home Sales Professional Designation through his hard work and Dedication.

AL works with Clients in any price range either Buyers -including 1st Time Home Buyers, Sellers, Families Relocating either into or out of the area and is also involved in New Construction.

AL’s Real Estate knowledge shines through as he reviews the Marketing Conditions to inform his Clients and strives for a successful transaction. He goes above and beyond just to provide 110% Customer Satisfaction to all of his Clientele. You can’t go wrong with AL LEGG.

RE/MAX Choice

20514076

About Us...I started my construction business in 1973 and received my real estate license in 1974. Since then, I have built, owned, single, multi-family, retail offi ce, churches, warehouse, agricultural and development properties. Candy is a licensed Broker and assisting construction and real estate management and accounting since 1981. We feel with our vast knowledge and experience that we will be an asset to buyers, sellers and investors. Call Larry at 309-824-2700or Candy at 309-838-1032 20

5139

09

Larry &Candy FosterCentury 21Aper Realty

Larry Foster

Candy Foster

Buying or selling a home can be a challenge, which is why you want an agent who has KNOWLEDGE of the market and proven SUCCESS. Combining over 22 years of real estate experience, SUE TRETTER and JUDY GLENN of the TretterGlenn HomeMatchTeam, are consistent production leaders – ranking in the top 5% of all BNAR agents. They credit their success to AWARENESS of market trends, continued EDUCATION, exceptional SERVICE and client REFERRALS. “We LISTEN and CARE about your needs and desires!” Sue and Judy are FULL-TIMEagents, COMMITTED to helping their buyers and sellers reach their real estate goals. “We pride ourselves on superior SERVICE, practical SOLUTIONS, and client SATISFACTION!” BUYERS – we work WITH and FOR you to fi nd your home. SELLERS – our professional STAGER and ambitious marketing deliver RESULTS.Experience the DIFFERENCE with the TretterGlenn HomeMatchTeam!Call Sue Tretter at 309-287-7962or Judy Glenn at 309-261-7333.Visit us atwww.TretterGlennHMT.com.

20513913

TretterGlenn HomeMatchTeam

SueTretter

JudyGlenn

Keller Williams

Seth Couillard& Bryan Dillow

BloomingtonHomes.com Team at Keller Williams Realty is the name you need to know in real estate. We specialize in Buyers, Sellers, First Time Home Buyers, Investors, REO, Foreclosures, and Investment Properties. Our team, Seth Couillard & Bryan Dillow, will help you every step of the way from getting your home listed, marketed and SOLD. Our unique marketing approach allows us to gain your home more exposure than the norm. Both Bryan and Seth are hometown agents...born and bred here in Bloomington/Normal. Seth Couillard has been in the business for nearly 8 years and has become one of the top producing agents in the Bloomington Normal area. Bryan Dillow has been in marketing and sales for nearly 15 years and has extensive knowledge from web marketing to traditional marketing. When you combine the experience & knowledge of Seth & Bryan, the Bloomington Homes Team is a top notch team of down to earth guys that know what they are doing! Contact Info:www.BloomingtonHomes.comSeth Couillard–309-530-1442Bryan Dillow–309-531-8309

Keller Williams

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SethCouillard

BryanDillow

Sue Strang

CRP-- Certifi ed Relocation Professional,CRS — Certifi ed Residential Specialist,GRI — Graduate Realtors Institute,PMN — Performance Management Network,SFR — Short Sales Foreclosure Resource.All advanced real estate education designations that Sue has earned which separate her from most other local REALTORS. Sue was the 2010 President of Illinois CRS Chapter. Less than 4% of REALTORS have earned the CRS designation. Sue served as State President for Women’s Council of REALTORS® in 2004. A veteran of 26+ years working with buyers and sellers has resulted in consistant multi-million dollar production. Referrals from satisfi ed customers and friends contribute to her experience and success. Past performance is no guarantee of future success...but what else can you go by. Please call Sue at 309) 824-0002 for experienced, honest service.

Sue StrangRealty Group

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PANTAGRAPH STAFF

Last year is history and2013 is now under way. Butlooking back at a year’s worthof local headlines, you cansee just how much breakingnews happened in CentralIllinois during 2012. Ourwebsite lets us track interestin these stories based on howfrequently you, the readers,viewed them.

The following is a list ofPantagraph.com’s 10 most-viewed stories for all of 2012.

1. NCHS teacher called ahero after subduing stu-dent who fired shots

Date: Sept. 7NORMAL — A 14-year-

old Normal CommunityHigh School student brought

a loaded handgun to schoolFriday morning, fired multi-ple shots into the ceiling of aclassroom and briefly de-tained several classmates be-fore being tackled and dis-armed by a teacher and stu-dents.

2. Students’ deaths stunISU; no foul play believed

Date: March 23NORMAL — The Illinois

State University communitywas stunned to learn Fridaythat two students had died inapparently unrelated inci-dents the night before intheir rooms in neighboringresidence halls.

3. Facing the worst:McLean family tries to staystrong over daughter’s finaldays

Date: Jan. 12On Dec. 31, Alivia Gib-

son’s parents decided tobring their 2-year-olddaughter home to die.Alivia’s diagnosis of rarebrain-stem cancer, and herprognosis, came in a spin-ning, numbing five-day pe-riod after Christmas 2011.On New Year’s Eve, stillreeling, Gibson and Alivia’sfather, Jim Dickson, decidedtheir little girl should spendher last days in McLean athome, among family.

4. Driver in custody in fa-tal hit-and-run in downtownBloomington

Date: June 24BLOOMINGTON — The

driver is in custody in con-nection with a hit-and-run

accident that happened ear-ly Sunday at the corner ofMain and WashingtonStreets in Bloomington andleft a woman brain dead,au-thorities said.

5. Man killed, 3 hurt incrash near Danvers

Date: Feb. 15DANVERS — A 20-year-

old Bloomington man waskilled and three people wereinjured early Wednesdaymorning in a single-vehicleaccident along Illinois 9near Danvers.

6. Prosecutor: Driver ranred light in fatal hit-and-runaccident

Date: June 25BLOOMINGTON — The

driver of a car that struckand killed a 21-year-old

woman early Sunday morn-ing in downtown Blooming-ton ran a red light before thevehicle struck her and afriend, a prosecutor saidMonday.

7. B-N man accused of DUIin fatal crash

Date: Feb. 16DANVERS — A 19-year-

old Bloomington man wascharged Thursday with ag-gravated drunken driving inconnection with an accidentalong Illinois 9 near Danversthat killed one person and in-jured three others.

8. Man killed in ruralCooksville accident

Date: March 18COOKSVILLE — A 40-

year-old Bloomington manwas killed in a single-vehicle

accident early Sundaymorning near Illinois 9 in ru-ral Cooksville.

9. BHS students protestteacher’s firing

Date: Feb. 9BLOOMINGTON — An

estimated 150 students upsetwith the firing of a Bloom-ington High School teacherwalked out of their seventh-period classes in protestThursday.

10. Man dies after earlymorning hit-and-run

Date: July 31BLOOMINGTON — A 45-

year-old former Heyworthman apparently was struckand killed by a semitrailertruck while sleeping near awest-side gas station, au-thorities said Tuesday.

www.pantagraph.com The Pantagraph • Saturday, March 23, 2013 • 11

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Who’s Who in Real EstateWho’s Who in Real Estate

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME?

Home MarketHome Market

Home FinderHome Finder

Pantagraph.comPantagraph.com

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Valerie Curry

Valerie has been a life long resident of Bloomington Normal. She and her husband have 3 grown children and 3 grand children.Valerie was recently awarded New Realtor Of The Year For 2011 from Prudential Snyder. Valerie enjoys working with ST JUDE RIDES. Valerie prides herself in making your home buying and selling experience the best in everyway possible.Next time your thinking of buying or selling call Valerie.Ph 309-319-0565Email [email protected] Valeriecurry.prusny.com


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Sandy Slingsby

Sandy moved to B/N in 1965 and has been a Realtor since 1993. U of W, Madison B.S., and ISU, M.S. and has continued her education by obtaining a GRI designation. With 30 years of teaching experience, 28 at Chiddix Junior High School, Sandy knows the value of doing her homework. Educating her clients about buying and/or selling is second nature to her. She has the knowledge and experience to help you make your decisions easier. Buying or selling, Sandy makes the grade. Call Sandy today!Mobile 309-824-3652.


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Keith Troutman

Keith Troutman is a long time resident of the Bloomington/Normal area. Since becoming a Real Estate agent in 2004 he has consis tently put his clients fi rst. Keith’s dedication, attention to detail, and passion for real estate has contributed to his success! His commitment to providing prompt, personal service to his clients has earned him a reputation for quality within the community.You can call or text Keith at (309) 826-1737 or email [email protected] can also visit Keith at his website keithtroutman.com


Kathy DiCiaula

Kathy has been a resident of McLean County since attending ISU with her husband Guy, Project Manager for Kaisner Homes. As a former teacher, Kathy knows the value of helping her clients understand the buying and selling processes. Honesty, responsiveness, knowledge, and communication are her priorities. She knows how to work through the details and is committed to the best interests of her clients.Just call Kathy D.Ph. [email protected]


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Margie is a life-long resident of Bloomington-Normal. She and her husband, Tim, have 5 adult children and 4 grandchildren. She has been a REALTOR® for over 24 years, graduated from GRI and is now a Broker. She has consistently been a multimillion dollar producer. Margie is active in her church and the Bloomington-Normal Board of Realtors serving on numerous committees and also involved with local charities. Margie prides herself in top quality service and invites all past and new clients to give her a call. Ph. (309) [email protected]

Margie SimmonsPrudential Snyder Real Estate

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Since she began her career in 2002 Mary has consistently achieved recognition as a multi-million dollar producer. She believes success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well!(309) [email protected]

Mary LovePrudential Snyder Real Estate

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LIST WITH LISTERA resident of Bloomington-Normal for over 30 years, Lynn knows the community, schools, and neighborhoods. First time home buyers have so many questions and Lynn works hard to get all the answers.Lynn uses the right tools to price your home for sale too! Member of Coldwell Banker Diamond Societiy, Marketing Specialist, Relocation Specialist, GRI.Call 309-287-6610 today! [email protected]


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Lynn Lister

Greg Zavitz

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I am a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University. I use a team approach with the help of 2 licensed agents and 1 unlicensed offi ce manager. I have averaged over $10 million in sales and 60-70 homes sold each of the last 10 years. Hire a knowledgeable professional with 28 years’ experience and the tools to get the job done. I will give your homemore internet exposure than any other agent in town.Call me and I will show you my sales [email protected]


I’m Always Available(309) 825-7355A 30 year resident of Bloomington-Normal and a consistent multi-million dollar producer Georgean is an experienced professional full time Broker. Illinois State University graduate. She is also an accredited buyer representative (ABR), Graduate of Realtors Institute of Illinois (GRI) a Certifi ed Residential Specialist (CRS) Certifi ed Relocation Professional (CRP) and most recently Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB)

Georgean FishColdwell Banker Heart of America Realtors

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Dan Slagell

As a Managing Broker for RE/MAX Choice, Dan has over 20 years of fi nance and real estate experience. He is anxious to assist new and past clients and sincerely appreciates the opportunity to have served many friends, neighbors and new community members with their real estate needs. Dan is a Certifi ed Agent for Real Estate Investors and a CDPE/Certifi ed Distressed Property Expert. He specializes in new construction, relocation, commercial and agricultural investments. Give Dan, a dedicated full-time professional, a call for all your real estate needs. [email protected]

RE/MAX ChoiceBELINDA TRUNELL is an outstanding RE/MAX Agent/Broker that takes pride in helping clients. She strives to exceed their expectations by providing personable service. Belinda is a RE/MAX 100% Club, Executive Club, and Above the Crowd member. She is recognized as one of the top leaders in relocation, new construction, and overall sales. If you appreciate down-home southern hospitality, please contact Belinda for all of your real estate needs. And don’t forget, she is never too busy for your referrals! Please contact Belinda by email at [email protected] or by phone at 309-287-6105.

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Belinda TrunellRE/MAX Choice

Why choose Ivey Weaver, G.R.I., C.R.S? With over 45 years as a full-time licensed REALTOR, a recipient of the BNAR Hall of Fame “Lifetime Achievement Award” andRE/MAX International Hall of Fame. “She has discovered that caring for clients is the most important aspect of her job.” She has an abundance of energy and enthusiasm and loves to fi nd the perfect match for both the Seller and the Buyer. Ivey and Ed have two sons, Mark and David, four grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. For all your real estate needs call Ivey at (309)825-6012 or visit her website at www.iveyweaver.remaxagent.com

Ivey WeaverRE/MAX Choice

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Janet Jurich is a full time Broker and Realtor® specializing in the residential market in Bloomington/Normal and the surrounding areas. She also works with Homes for Heroes.

Janet’s designations include Graduate of Realtor Institute (GRI) and ePro.

Match this with her marketing strategy for Sellers and Buyer assistance and you’ll be glad you chose Janet Jurich to assist you with your real estate needs.

Call her today at(309) 825-2078 and Make Your Move With Janet Jurich.

www.JanetJurich.com

Selling real estate is what I do…..Caring for my customers is how I do it.

Keller Williams

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Janet Jurich

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Jack Ruch

Jack Ruch has been in the Real Estate business since 1971.He moved to the Twin Cities in 1987, sold Real Estate and has been a Home Builder,giving him the edge when selling homes knowing the ins and outs of construction.He also manufactures custom moldings for homes. He enjoys working with people andfi nding them the home of their dreams. Call him today at 309-824-0293.


Mike &Jean Hutson

Mike and Jean bring buyers and sellers together using the latest technology. Whether you are moving across town or across the country-our aim is to make your move as stress free as possible. We can assist you with re-designing your space before you list your property; and research the properties you may want to see for your next purchase. THE DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP IS ALIVE AND WELL! Looking for a New Address... we can help.TheHutsonTeam.com [email protected]


Mike and Jean Hutsonwww.TheHutsonTeam.com

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NCHS shooting, crashes top local stories for year ANNUAL REPORT

By Mary Ann [email protected]

BLOOMINGTON — InNovember, voters passed areferendum to eliminatethe McLean Countyrecorder’s office andmerge its duties with thecounty clerk’s office at theend of this year.

County Board memberPaul Segobiano suggestedthe referendum as a way tostreamline governmentand save taxpayers’ mon-ey. County AdministratorBill Wasson estimated themerger would save$46,800 to $100,000 ayear, assuming four officesupport staff and one su-pervisor still will be need-ed.

After the election,McLean County BoardChairman Matt Sorensen

said if it was the intentionof the voters to save mon-ey, “I expect the boardwon’t pass a 2014 budgetunless the recorder’s of-fice is not costing as much

to run.”The November ballot

also asked voters to elect aMcLean County recorder.Incumbent Lee Newcomhad successfully won the

Republican nomination inthe primary election,faced no opposition in thegeneral election and wasre-elected.

Because the referendum

also passed, Newcom onlywill serve a one-year term.

Last month, the McLeanCounty Board took actionto ensure Newcom’s officewill have a stable staffduring this year of transi-tion. Newcom had toldcounty officials hisstaffing situation has beenunstable since the No-vember election becausehis employees don’t knowwhat their fate will be af-ter Dec. 31.

The board approvedhiring Newcom’s chiefdeputy as a human re-sources assistant with thecounty administrator’soffice. Her initial respon-sibilities will be workingwith the recorder’s office.

“This helps stabilizethe office,” said Sorensen.

Sorensen said he does-n’t envision physicallymoving the recorder’s of-fice records and equip-ment immediately afterthe first of the year whenthe merger officially takesplace.

“Maybe at some pointbut it will take time toplan,” he said.

Besides placing therecorder’s referendum onthe ballot, the McLeanCounty Board also votedlast year to amend thecounty’s ordinance andallow the handful ofliquor license holders inunincorporated McLeanCounty to have videogambling machines. Thestate approved videogambling in 2009 but theIllinois Gaming Boarddidn’t start issuing li-censes until last summer.

Sorensen said the ac-tion leveled the playingfield. Normal’s ordinancealready allowed the ma-chines and the Blooming-ton City Council amend-ed its ordinance to allowvideo gambling in July. Atthe end of February, therewere 35 establishments inincorporated and unin-corporated McLeanCounty with video gam-bling licenses.



Richard Townsend, owner of Hooligan’s Pub in Colfax, manages the new video gaming ma-

chines in his club last October.

By Cristina Deutsch

Finally our presidentand Congress are se-riously talking about

comprehen-sive immi-gration re-form. Ourcountry hasnot had a re-view of itsimmigrationlaws formore than40 years.Visa quotashave notbeen revised to reflect theeconomic realities of to-day.

In 1986, President Rea-gan signed the Immigra-tion Reform and ControlAct, commonly known asamnesty. This was not areview of our laws. It onlygave legal status to thoseliving and working in theU.S. without visas, ad-dressing only the issues ofsome immigrants and notof those to come.

In 2006, a bipartisanimmigration comprehen-sive reform was intro-duced in Congress bySens. John McCain andTed Kennedy; it did notpass. Congress failed tosee the great need for suchreform.

Because of this lack ofaction, our communitieshave been suffering theills and consequences,trying to solve these situ-ations by using Band Aids,but not correcting theproblems.

One of the big fumblesthat Immigration madecame in 2010 when, in-stead of putting moneyinto a serious study andreview of its laws, Immi-

gration dealt only with the12 million undocumentedfolks that live and work inthis country. Some $2.5billion was put into theImmigration and Cus-toms Enforcement (ICE)branch that initially wasto deport only dangerouscriminals — while settinga quota of 400,000 de-portations per year. Well,there just weren’t400,000 criminals to de-port, so the agency start-ed picking up workingmothers and fathers and

19-year-old daughtersjust for driving without alicense.

A memo asked sheriffsto hold these individualsan extra 48 hours for ICEto pick them up; they wereput in shackles and movedfrom place to place amongreal criminals, often in themiddle of the night.

Since the request by ICEwas not a mandate, sher-iffs had the option to nothonor these requests, or touse their discretion. ButMcLean County SheriffMike Emery did not heedour pleas to take the sec-ond option.

Instead, the sheriff inThe Pantagraph said wewere asking him to notfollow immigration law, orcheck identifications, andthat police should nothave to arrest them, whichwas untrue. We askedSheriff Emery, by usingdiscretion, to first checkthose folks brought to hisdepartment for prior of-fenses before calling ICE.

President Obama, De-partment of HomelandSecretary Janet Napoli-tano and ICE DirectorJohn Morton had issued

directives that law en-forcement resourcesshould not be wasted ondestroying the families ofimmigrants who have es-tablished strong ties to theU.S. and pose no danger tosociety.

Trying to resolve this is-sue took many months in2012, which in the endproved futile. Thank Godour Illinois lawmakerspassed a bill signed byGov. Quinn on Jan. 27 thatwill give these folks theopportunity to acquiredriver’s licenses. They willbe able to drive to workand take their children tothe doctor without thefear of being arrested.

As our president andCongress have now recog-nized, the demographicsof our country havechanged drastically, andour lawmakers agree a re-view of our antiquatedimmigration laws have tobe updated.

We must be open to theneeds of our country’seconomy and create visasfor the workers we need,who contribute to oureconomy by working thefields that produce ourfood, who are paying taxesand are supporting theSocial Security Adminis-tration.

It is about time that wecreate visas for agricul-tural workers and un-skilled workers, and visasto reunite families at amuch faster pace, thus fi-nally stopping undocu-mented migration.

Deutsch is a member of Illinois PeoplesAction, former Hispanic outreach di-rector at Western Avenue CommunityCenter and recently retired from theImmigration Project.

Cristina

Deutsch

Immigration reform doesn’taddress needs of economy

Recorder’s office out, video gambling inMcLean Countyvoters OK officethat’s combined

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By Phyllis [email protected]

A flurry of new technol-ogy projects are popping upin public and privateschools in the region.

Stanford-based Olympiaschool district is in its sec-ond year of integratingiPads into the classroom toencourage students tothink critically and im-merse them in relevantlearning opportunities,said Superintendent BradHutchison.

Technology is also beingused with projects includ-ing hydroponics and rais-ing fish.

“Our biggest accom-plishment continues to beacademic improvement ofour students,” Hutchisonsaid.

Olympia West Elemen-tary School in Minier wasrecently recognized by thestate for its academic ex-cellence and the highschool’s advanced place-ment classes received staterecognition this winter.

Meanwhile, five class-rooms at Calvary ChristianAcademy in Normal aretaking part in an $8,000 pi-lot project using new Mo-bile Interactive Whiteboard(Mobi) systems. While tra-ditional interactive white-boards are useful, the newportable systems providemore flexibility becausethey can be moved fromclassroom to classroom in-stead of being permanentlymounted on one wall. “Wewere looking for somethingtruly mobile,” acknowl-edged Principal ChristelDenault.

Likewise, TrinityLutheran School, foundedin 1858 and celebrating its10th anniversary at its 1102

W. Hamilton Road, Bloom-ington, location, is makingsure its students are alsogetting all the opportuni-ties technology provides.This year, the school willbuy tablets for studentswith money raised from anauction, said PrincipalShawn Hoffmann. Cur-rently, second-graders aremaking PowerPoint proj-ects; fourth-graders areusing laptops to follow theIditarod dog sled race inAlaska; fifth-graders areemailing pen pals in thecommunity about booksthey are reading and sixth-graders are researching in-depth projects, he said.

Central Catholic HighSchool in Bloomington ispreparing to introduce a“Bring Your Own Device”policy, known as BYOD inthe fall, said Principal JoyAllen. Students will bringthe technology from home— iPads or laptops for ex-ample — and the school willfill the gap for some stu-dents needing a device to

make the most of learningopportunities. The schoolhas installed Wi-Fi, and setup the network already withthe final piece — adequatebandwidth — expected tobe in place this summer.

“We are testing it out,”Allen said. Several class-rooms will introduce BYODthis fall with the rest fol-lowing in the coming year.

Finally, CornerstoneChristian Academy, east ofBloomington,is also updat-ing its schoolwide technol-ogy plan, said AprilKinzinger, director of de-velopment.

Area schools keeping upwith technology changes


Olympia High School senior Sam Hensley of Minier holds an iPad as his finished one-minute

campaign ad in support of Mitt Romney plays in teacher Lisa Castleman's classroom.

Castleman's students compiled 21 videos as part of an American Government and Law

class. Partnering with Hensley was Braden Halliday of Danvers.

The Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA

Edward Williams, with Plasterers and Cement Masons Local

18, edges freshly poured cement in August 2009 at Trinity

Lutheran School in Bloomington.The school is marking its

10th year at its 1102 W. Hamilton Road, Bloomington, loca-

tion and is buying tablets for students to improve technolo-

gy offerings.

Pro ballThe Twin Cities has it all

By David [email protected]

Professional sports in a medium-sized mar-ket like Bloomington-Normal can be a riskyventure. There was no shortage of drama in thefront office as owners changed teams as oftenas their players changed their sweat socks.

But despite it all, the Twin Cities could beproud it brought home a national champi-onship in the first year of its pro basketballteam, the Central Illinois Drive.

The U.S. Cellular Coliseum and the Corn Cribhave become the home of four professionalsports teams. Fans in Central Illinois have awealth of teams to support and empty bleachersare waiting.


The Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA The Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA



The Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK-NEISLER

Central Illinois Drive bench reacts as teammate Rodney Edgerson sinks a three-point shot with seconds left against the Rochester RazorSharks last April at U.S. Cellular

Coliseum in Bloomington.

The Bloomington Blaze's

Matthew Larke (42) and

Nicklas Lindberg, left, cele-

brate a goal against the

Allen Americans in a game

last November at the U.S.

Cellular Coliseum .

Bloomington Edge wide receiver John Cooper scores a touchdown against the Cedar

Rapids Titans last June at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Central Illinois Drive's Jemal Farmer dunks against the Indiana

Diesels last March at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

CornBelters catcher Patrick Trettel holds the ball and looks up at the umpire after a collision with Rockford River-

Hawks' Javier Herrera at home plate last June 22 at the Corn Crib in Normal.Fans cheer during the Central Illinois Drive game

against the Rochester RazorSharks last April.


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Documents

Annual Report 2013 Part 2