By: Diane Benjamin

The McLean County Planning Commission starts with a flawed assumption: PDF page 7

This plan is designed to guide growth, ensure the efficient use of resources, and maintain a balance between urban and rural areas for the next 20 years.

McLean County isn’t growing. Numerous websites show the same as below. Pretending the County is growing to allocate “wish list” money is fraud.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/illinois/mclean-county

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Link to the draft plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oMaqLT7LCZs312LcC4-oxnI1CXfbpOV0/view

The Eastside bypass is back. This bypass was rejected before, it isn’t needed now any more than it was then. This story is now over 10 years old: https://blnnews.com/2014/06/03/the-east-side-bypass-isnt-dead/

Progressives never quit pushing for what they want. Common sense is immaterial. Did the westside bypass produce prosperity? How’s the outlet mall doing?

Why would anyone want to destroy the richest farmland in the country so vehicles can avoid both Normal and Bloomington?

Of course the local NPR station is on board: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-07-23/mclean-county-regional-planning-commission-revises-land-use-planning-process

There are two more public meetings. Taxpayers are the stakeholders, show up at one of the meetings and voice your opinion. From the story:

The commission has indicated it will hold two open houses. The first will be from 5-7 p.m., Aug. 7, at the Bloomington Public Library Community Room. The second will be from 5-7 p.m., Aug. 13, at the McLean County Highway Department at 102 S. Towanda Barnes Rd., Bloomington. Both sessions will include presentations at 5 and 6 p.m.

One more note: All these plans passed by local governments don’t allow changes to meet changing conditions. Once passed common sense disappears. Plans are wishes that progressives consider their bible. That isn’t governing, it’s ruling.

Now you know why Illinois is a failed state and why people leave. Planners are costly, what they plan is far worse. The last eastside bypass plan included bike lanes. How many bikes do you see on streets with bike lanes now? How many people use the EXPENSIVE trail from Chenoa to McLean? Is it worth spending millions to add lanes to a bypass?