BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington Common Council will convene for a regular session on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Alongside legislative items, key presentations on the agenda include the results of the 2026 Community Survey and a comprehensive downtown parking rate study.
Community Survey Highlights Overall Satisfaction
The 2026 Community Survey, conducted by Illinois-based public-opinion research firm aQity Research & Insights Inc. between February and April 2026, provides a statistically grounded snapshot of resident perspectives. The firm gathered responses from a random sample of 561 residents, weighted to align with U.S. Census demographics.
According to the findings, 80% of residents are satisfied with the overall quality of life in Bloomington. Furthermore, 72% of respondents said they would recommend Bloomington as a place to live, maintaining consistency with the 2023 survey results.
When asked about the community’s primary strengths, residents cited:
- General City Characteristics (48%): Benefits of living in a college town with a small-town feel and proximity to major cities.
- City Services and Mobility (40%): Ease of getting around via walking, biking, and public transit.
- Local Businesses (39%): A vibrant restaurant and commercial scene.
- Parks and Recreation (36%): Access to trails, open green spaces, and community events.
Top-rated municipal services included fire protection (82% satisfied), sanitation and waste collection (74% satisfied), and public safety (61% satisfied). Furthermore, among the 52% of residents who engaged with municipal staff or attended public meetings over the past year, 69% reported a positive overall impression of City staff and leadership.
Key Challenges: Affordable Housing, Unhoused Population, and Infrastructure
Despite strong overall satisfaction, the survey highlighted prominent community challenges and priority areas for the City:
- Affordable Housing: Named as the single largest concern facing the city, 76% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of affordable housing. Removing development barriers for affordable housing ranked as the #1 economic development strategy for residents.
- Unhoused Population and Personal Safety: Concerns regarding homelessness ranked second among open-ended feedback. While 76% of residents feel safe overall, safety concerns are concentrated downtown, near South Walnut Street, and along public parks and trails like Seminary Park, Switchyard Park, and the B-Line Trail.
- Streets and Sidewalk Conditions: Dissatisfaction was highest regarding physical infrastructure, with 43% dissatisfied with street and sidewalk conditions. Potholes and crumbling or missing sidewalks were the primary complaints. Road repair and resurfacing was named the top infrastructure priority by 63% of residents.
- Drinking Water Quality: While 53% are satisfied with city water, drinking water quality ranked as the #1 service priority. Issues cited included seasonal taste and odor changes, as well as desire for greater transparency regarding water quality and fluoridation.
Additional Council Agenda Items
Beyond the survey presentation by Communications Director Desiree DeMolina, the Council will consider several legislative measures:
- First Reading of Ordinance 2026-18: Proposed guidelines requiring formal written commitments as an eligibility condition for on-premises alcoholic beverage permits in statutory districts, sponsored by Councilmember Asare.
- Second Readings on Salary Amendments: Proposed amendments to the 2026 salary ordinances for police, fire, non-union, appointed officers, and A.F.S.C.M.E. city employees.
- Resolution 2026-14: Approval of an amended legal representation agreement for the Common Council, sponsored by Councilmember Asare.
The meeting is open to the public in Council Chambers in Room 115 at City Hall at 401 North Morton Street or remotely via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted during designated portions of the meeting, and live broadcasts will be available on CATS and the City’s YouTube channel. Full meeting packets are accessible through the City Council’s official website.
