Good morning, Bloomington.

Ten private gardens in Bloomington and Normal will feature in the 29th Glorious Garden Festival—a fundraiser for the David Davis Foundation—running Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where visitors can join self-guided walks and enjoy garden tours, live music and vendors.

Heartland Community College has partnered with Normal Parks and Recreation to run Miracle League Field, a place where children and adults with disabilities can play baseball on Sundays.

Normal will set the schedule while HCC takes care of upkeep—officials said they will also seek to add programs like tee ball to help more people join in.

The new CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau is boosting tourism by highlighting community vitality instead of focusing only on hotel stays — her strategy aims to bring more visitors to enjoy local culture and events.

This approach marks a shift from past efforts to grow the tourism sector.

A 25-year-old man — Jacob C.

Stone — was arrested on Thursday, July 3 for his alleged involvement in three business burglaries in Bloomington after security footage tied him to break-ins at Daddios, Mulligan’s and Fat Jack’s, and he now faces charges of burglary, reckless discharge of a firearm, criminal damage and possession of a stolen firearm while being held at McLean County Jail.

Connect Transit will hold four public meetings this week to gather feedback on proposed route changes.

The sessions are set at the ISU Alumni Center at 1101 N. Main St. in Normal on Tuesday, July 8 from noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., and at the Bloomington Public Library at 205 E. Olive St. on Wednesday, July 9 from noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.—the proposals include relocating stops and adding service on the Yellow/Pink route, replacing the Red Express with a new Mint circulator, and increasing Blue/Purple route frequency during peak hours.

Illinois cut funding for homelessness prevention by over $14 million in its FY26 budget that took effect July 1, even as a 116% rise in homelessness was recorded in January; state lawmakers and advocates say the budget reduction has strained emergency housing and rental assistance programs — critical supports that need boosting. Local officials continue to evaluate how these cuts will impact vulnerable populations as the state navigates tight revenues.

Dog Days 5K

11 PM – 3 AM — 17485 E 2500 North Rd — Entry fee varies — Participate in a fun nighttime 5K event for dog lovers.

Illinois Chamber Music Festival

12:00 AM — Illinois Wesleyan University — Free entry — A delightful summer festival for young musicians featuring intensive training and public performances.

Gabby Barrett Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $36.00+ — Experience the rise of country music star Gabby Barrett live with her chart-topping hits.

Shut Up & Write!®

2-3:30 p.m. — Coffeehouse in Uptown Normal — Free entry — Focused writing session for all skill levels in a supportive environment.

Straight No Chaser: Summer 90s Tour

7-9 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — $36.50+ — Enjoy the legendary a cappella group Straight No Chaser performing hits from the 90s.

Tractor Pulls

6:00-7:30 p.m. — McLean County Fairgrounds — Tickets start at $45 — Experience the thrill of Tractor Pulls in Bloomington, IL.

MCIA 5K and 1K

6-10 p.m. — Tipton Park — Registration Required — Participate in exciting running events including adult and youth categories and a unique 2K race in Saree with Sneakers.

Bachman Turner Overdrive: Roll On Down The Highway Tour

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — Tickets available — Experience the legendary sounds of Randy Bachman and Bachman-Turner Overdrive live on stage.

Bloomington Normal Medal Play Championship

Individual stroke play format — Saturday, Aug 2nd — Weibring Golf Club — Registration required — Compete in an 18-hole qualifying round to determine flight placements.