Kathleen Lorenz

Kathleen Lorenz defended a campaign contribution from the McLean County Republican Party in her 2025 run for mayor of Normal during a marathon hearing Friday at the Illinois State Board of Elections' offices in Chicago. Lorenz's attorney called the hearing "smoke and mirrors."

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.

The Normal Town Council authorized town staff to prepare the 2025 property tax levy ordinance during a sometimes tense meeting on Monday.

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.

The Normal Town Council approved a measure to extend a municipal insurance agency during its Tuesday meeting.

The Normal Town Council on Monday approved two changes to the intergovernmental agreement for the McLean County 1% mental health and public safety sales tax fund.

While no new rentals can be made in areas marked as single-family residential in Normal, a five-year transition period for current STRs is included in the ordinance approved by the town council on Monday.

A new disclosure filed by the McLean County Republican Party failed to report the transfer of $28,000 to former Normal mayoral candidate Kathleen Lorenz – the same money that sparked a complaint against her with the State Board of Elections.

A complaint has been filed with the State Board of Elections against former Normal mayoral candidate Kathleen Lorenz, alleging she violated campaign finance laws by accepting a $28,000 contribution from a donor who funneled the money to her through the local GOP.