Dawn Johnsen, an Indiana University law professor who is also married to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton, was picked to be part of President-Elect Joe Biden's transition team.

Johnsen will serve on the Department of Justice agency review team, to review DoJ operations and plan for the upcoming transition of power. The 29-member team will also be responsible for reviewing the Federal Election Commission, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the Commission on Civil Rights, the National Council on Disability, the U.S. Access Board, AbilityOne, the State Justice Institute and the Legal Services Organization.

Read an Indiana Public Media article about her appointment here.

Monroe County is now offering reimbursements for expenses related to COVID-19 for up to $20,000. The previous limit was $10,000.

The reimbursements are made possible with funds from the federal CARES Act. Examples of approved expenses include cleaning or disinfection supplies, personal protection equipment (like face masks), and costs associated with changing your business model (such as restaurants that started offering curbside or take-out). 

Details and a reimbursement form are available here.

Monroe County is distributing reimbursements to local businesses for expenses directly tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Expenses might include cleaning supplies, personal protection equipment like face masks, or costs associated with changing the way a business operates (converting to curbside pickup, for example). 

Click here for details and to apply for reimbursements. Questions can be directed to the county's project administrator at  812-272-6355 or covid-cares@co.monroe.in.us.

Andy Ruff prevailed in a field of 5 candidates for the Democratic Party nomination to the 9th District Congressional seat and will face incumbent Republican Trey Hollingsworth in November.

Here's a rundown of other winners in competitive races on June 2:

• State Senate District 40: Shelli Yoder (D)
• State Representative District 60: Peggy Mayfield (R)
• State Representative District 62: Jeff Ellington (R)
• Monroe County Council At-Large: Trent Deckard (D), Geoff McKim (D), Cheryl Munson (D)
• Monroe County Circuit Court Division 1: Geoff Bradley (D)
• ​Monroe County Circuit Court Division 8: Kara Krothe (D)

Click here for a full list of Monroe County election results in the June 2 primary. Candidates will move on to compete in the general election on Nov. 3. 

Need to learn more about candidates in the June 2, 2020 primary election? The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is helping inform voters with a new resource site.

The Chamber's guide to the 2020 Primary Elections includes videos of one-on-one interviews with candidates in local, state and federal races, and candidates' written responses to questions from the Chamber. You'll also find links to campaign websites and social media for the candidates, if available.

This year, there are competitive primary races for Monroe County Council at-large seats, Monroe County Circuit Court, the Indiana legislature and the District 9 U.S. Congressional seat.

​All registered voters can vote by mail in the primary. ​Click here to apply for your ballot online.

In collaboration with other Bloomington and Monroe County organizations, the Chamber has created a resource site to help businesses navigate the impact of COVID-19. 

In addition to guidance from the Small Business Administration, Centers for Disease Control and others, the site provides legal resources, economic recovery resources, and links to updates from the Monroe County Health Department, City of Bloomington, and local educational institutions.

We've also compiled a listing of updates, information and resources provided by our Chamber members. The resource categories include food, kids activities, housing and utilities, among others. Do you have an update to include? Click here to submit your information and we'll add it to the list.

Feb. 7 was the deadline to file as a candidate for the May 5 primary election, and several seats representing parts of Monroe County will have competitive races. UPDATE: The primary election has been moved to June 2, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

See below for a roundup. Click here for a printable one-page list. Click here for the full list of all candidates statewide.

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, April 6. Early voting begins on April 7. Click here for a voter registration form.

Check out the Monroe County Election Central website for more information.

Incumbent Trey Hollingsworth is unopposed in the Republican primary. Five candidates are competing in the Democratic primary: D. Liam Dorris, Brandon Hood, James O'Gabhann III, Mark Powell, and Andy Ruff.

In District 40, Democrat Mark Stoops is not seeking re-election to this seat. Three candidates have filed to run in the Democratic Party primary: Trent Feuerbach, Shelli Yoder and John Zody. No Republican candidates are running.

In District 44, Republican incumbent Eric Koch is running unopposed in the primary. No Democrats have filed for this seat.

Incumbent Democrat Matt Pierce is unopposed in the Democratic primary for District 61, and no Republicans are running.

In District 62, Republican incumbent Jeff Ellington faces Greg Knott in the primary. In November, the winner will face Democrat Alyssa Bailey, who is unopposed in the primary.

Republican incumbent Bob Heaton (District 46) is unopposed in the primary and no Democrats are running for that seat. Republican incumbent Chris May (District 65) is unchallenged on May 5 but in November faces Democrat Paula Staley, who is unopposed in the primary.

Incumbent Peggy Mayfield (District 60) will run against Dave Rinehart in the Republican primary. Tiffany Grant is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for that seat.

Five candidates will vie for three at-large seats on the Monroe County Council in the Democratic Party primary: Incumbents Trent Deckard, Geoff McKim and Cheryl Munson, as well as Karl Boehm and Dominic Thompson.

There are two candidates in the Republican Party primary for those at-large seats: James Allen and Zachary Weisheit. 

Incumbent Monroe County Commissioners Julie Thomas (District 2) and Penny Githens (District 3) are running unopposed this year in the Democratic primary. No Republicans are running for these seats. Randy Paul has filed as a Green Party candidate in District 2.

Incumbents for four countywide offices, all Democrats, are running unopposed: Cathy Smith, auditor; Jessica McClellan, treasurer; Joani Shields, coroner; Trohn Enright-Randolph, surveyor. No Republicans have filed to run for these seats.

Elizabeth Cure isn't seeking re-election for Monroe County Circuit Court Judge, Division 1. Two Democrats – Geoff Bradley and Alphonso Manns – are competing in the Democratic primary. Carl Lamb is also running for that seat, but is unopposed in the Republican primary.

For Division 8, incumbent Republican Judith Benchkart is unopposed, but will face the winner of the Democratic primary – Jeff Kehr or Kara Elaine Krothe – in November.

Incumbent Democrat Valeri Haughton is running unopposed for Division 2, and no Republicans have filed.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is a partner for the U.S. Census 2020, working with a broad coalition to ensure that our community has a high participation rate.

​As part of that effort, we're publicizing the availability of jobs to help with the Census count in 2020. The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring a variety of temporary jobs, including census takers, recruiting staff, and office staff.

Click here for details about Census 2020 jobs and how to apply.

U.S. Senator Mike Braun was the featured speaker at the Chamber's Nov. 15 Federal Focus Luncheon, drawing about 200 people to Ivy Tech's Shreve Hall.

During a Q&A with Chamber CEO Erin Predmore, Sen. Braun discussed his views on the federal deficit, tariffs, climate change, the current impeachment process and ... mushroom hunting!

The event was recorded live for the Chamber's 3 Things Podcast , available on Nov. 20.

 Click here for the Herald-Times coverage of this event.

The 2019 DC Fly-In included two days packed with briefings from federal staff at all levels and opportunities to advocate for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's legislative agenda.

​Highlights included updates from:

• ​Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services
• Martha Legg Miller, Director of the Securities & Exchange Commission's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation
• Anne Reinke, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Dept. of Transportation
• Ted McKinney, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade & Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
• Gerardo Lameda, Representative of the Trade & NAFTA Office for the Embassy of Mexico