Bloomington makes donation to history museum capital campaign

Posted on November 10, 2015
McLean County Museum of History
The museum is looking to raise $3 million through its capital campaign. (Joe Ragusa/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Museum of History is getting a $250,000 donation from Bloomington for its capital campaign.

The donation was approved by a 5-1 vote Monday night by the Bloomington City Council. City Manager David Hales told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the donation will be made in installments of $50,000 a year for five years.

“It’ll go to some very significant upgrades using digital technology, as well as outreach,” said Hales. “We felt that was very vital for tourism and continuing to maximize the attraction of the Route 66 Museum.”

Podcast: Listen to Hales’ full conversation on WJBC.

Alderman Kevin Lower was the one to vote against the donation.

“I know you’ve done a great job. I would love to be able to support you, but we’ve got some other very, very important things we need to meet first I feel,” Lower said.

The Town of Normal has also committed to making the same type of donation.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…