Bloomington, IL Summary

The twin cities of Bloomington- Normal (population 110,194) are located in the middle of Illinois, halfway between Chicago and St Louis, and were founded in 1843. The Republican Party of Illinois had its origins here in 1856, when Abraham Lincoln made a speech that spelled out the political beliefs that would ultimately catapult him to the White House.

Today the city is known as a manufacturing center with a Mitsubishi auto manufacturing plant. There is also the Kathryn Beich Candy Company, maker of Bit O’ Honey and the world-famous Beer Nuts, a popular snack.

Bloomington-Normal has two colleges, Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan University. Attractions here include the American Passion Play, which is performed March-May, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, which runs throughout the summer. This event features three different plays that are performed on a rotating basis. For outdoor enthusiasts, Constitution Trail, a 9-mile park, is a popular venue for cyclists, joggers, and inline skaters. Bloomington-Normal can be reached by bus, train, or I-55/75 and I-39.