Chris Koos

A $1.9 million federal grant announced by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will fund engineering and construction of the new stretch of trail that will extend the current endpoint at Gregory Street and Parkside to the west and south.

Single-family housing starts grew in Normal last year by nearly 49% — though the total number only reached 55.

An upcoming strategic planning retreat for the Normal Town Council will help focus on issues for the next several years. Mayor Chris Koos said one idea that has surfaced in focus groups is a sports complex.

Bloomington-Normal leaders are calling for better dialogue between lawmakers, Gov. JB Pritzker, and insurance companies such as Bloomington-based State Farm.

The union representing firefighters in the Town of Normal is continuing its campaign to keep the soon-to-close College Avenue fire station open — after a new station opens on the east side of town. The town insists there is no situation that needs to be addressed.

The various projects, including public infrastructure, water, sewer and parks, total $188 million of planned capital spending.

A debate is emerging about the optimum size of the Normal Fire Department and the positioning of fire stations.

The mayor of Normal is answering criticism of the town council decision's to move ahead with the Uptown underpass project despite steep price increases and a larger town share of the $40.3 million cost.

The Uptown underpass project, first proposed 10 years ago, was approved Monday night by the Normal Town Council with a sunset provision on tax increases needed to complete financing.

To get the decade-old Uptown underpass project over the finish line will require increases in food and beverage and hotel-motel taxes. That staff recommendation emerged at a special town council meeting on Wednesday evening.