The Town of Normal secured nearly $3 million in grant funding this year, including money for infrastructure, public safety and the library.
The town’s 2025 grants include more than $2 million from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Special Bridge Program, aimed at replacing the Sugar Creek culvert running under Vernon Avenue near Linden Street. Town officials have not yet developed a timeline for that project.
The town had previously planned to replace the top deck of the existing structure to extend its life. Public works officials say complete replacement allows for an increased hydraulic opening, improving water flow through the culvert.
A Community Development Block Grant provides more than $450,000 for additional infrastructure needs, public facilities improvements and down payment assistance programs.
The town also won grants directed toward public safety, library services, environmental sustainability and cultural arts access.
Included on the list is $130,000 from Ameren across two grants; $100,000 will be spent on vehicle electrification, such as purchasing charging stations and electric municipal vehicles, while $29,732 is to be directed to the Normal Public Library for improved window energy efficiency and LED lighting. The library aalo will earn $77,786 from a Public Library Per Capita Grant to fund participation in the Resource Sharing Alliance’s interlibrary loans service.
The Normal Police Department secured a combined $132,000 for traffic safety and enforcement, technology to deter and investigate retail crime, and tools and training for officers to employ less lethal alternatives to law enforcement.
And the Cultural Arts Department gained more than $10,000 for the town’s High School Summer Theatre, Illinois Art Station and supplies for the Willow Wood outdoor art and nature program.
