IHSA cheer state finals brings economic boom to Bloomington-Normal

Posted on February 8, 2025
Over 100-teams are in Bloomington this weekend. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By WMBD TV

BLOOMINGTON – 100 teams from all over the state are in Bloomington, competing for the number one spot for cheer in Illinois.

Seven teams in our coverage area competed, coming from as far as the Chicago suburbs.
That means money is spent on hotel rooms, parking, and food.

It wasn’t just the competing teams, though. Family members, teachers, and classmates all made the trip out to support their school.

IHSA Assistant Executive Director Susie Knoblauch said having this many teams performing over two days brings in a huge economic boom to Bloomington-Normal.

“It’s reported that it’s a $1.2 Million economic impact here on the community. Everything from the hotels to the restaurants. They love seeing those buses pull in from teams as far south as Carterville, as far north as Taylor Ridge, Rockridge, all sizes, all demographics. It just really brings a nice culminating experience in the near center of the state to bring all these teams together,” she said.

This is the 20th year Grossinger Motors Arena has hosted the cheer state finals.

WMBD TV can be reached at [email protected].

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