Roads

The Normal Town Council on Monday adopted a nearly $14.3 million levy for the upcoming fiscal year — about 7% higher than the year before. Normal leaders say significant growth in the town's tax base means the property tax rate will go down slightly, offering taxpayers some relief.

The new policies, for employees not covered through collective bargaining agreements, are expected to cost the town about $250,000 annually.

The Illinois Department of Transportation says it plans to complete $48 million in McLean County road projects yet this year. The six projects are part of the fifth year of the Rebuild Illinois capital program.

Normal intends to redesign the east-west Vernon Avenue corridor, and on Tuesday nearly 100 people came to city hall to learn about the plans.

The town currently has issued special-use permits to three such businesses. Two more are considering applying for similar permits, said Mayor Chris Koos.

The Town of Normal is exploring how to redesign a 1.85-mile stretch of Vernon Avenue, running from Beaufort Street on the west to Towanda Avenue on the east.

The Bloomington City Council on Monday increased its combined property tax levies to about $28.6 million, an estimated 7% increase over last year’s figure.

The Bloomington City Council agreed Monday to authorize a $5.2 million contract for the upcoming year's street resurfacing projects, and likely will add a $2 million boost, thanks to federal COVID-relief funds.

Gov. JB Pritzker was in Bloomington on Wednesday to promote the impact of his Rebuild Illinois plan, which he said has repaired and replaced more than 3,500 miles of roads and nearly 350 bridges statewide.

The Normal Town Council took the first step toward a new budget Monday night with the approval of a six-year Community Investment Plan.It includes an…