Town of Normal

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.

2025 was a good year for Normal, according to City Manager Pam Reece, noting town achievements include a range of infrastructure projects, opening a refurbished skate park at Fairview Park, and advancing the town's public arts plan.

The town earned more than $2 million from the Illinois Department of Transportation to replace a culvert crossing Sugar Creek along Vernon Avenue. Normal previously looked to extend the current structure's life.

Winter weather complicates an already scarce parking situation in Downtown Bloomington. The Market Street parking deck has closed. And the Front and Center block has yet to finish demolition and become surface parking. That’s likely to become available sometime next spring.

McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston said there's significant movement on mental health program spending in the county. That comes from sales tax money shared with the county by Bloomington and Normal.

The Town of Normal authorized the $15.7 million 2025 property tax levy during a special town council meeting on Monday.

The latest missive on the dispute between the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, and McLean County over how the county government handles shared sales tax money includes a vigorous defense of previous allegations against the county and proffers a reciprocal olive branch.

A cybercrime organization has breached a system used by the Town of Normal to send out emergency and event notices to subscribers.

The senior member of the Normal Town Council says there's something missing in debate over closing the College Avenue fire station when a new east side station opens in a couple months.