Town of Normal

The new version of the proposed Trail East and West development project in Uptown Normal would be primarily residential housing on the north side of the traffic circle straddling Constitution Trail. And a controversial mural on a building in the project footprint would likely be torn down.

The Normal Police Department has made technology one of its top priorities in 2026. That includes a new video drone that officers can bring to crime and crash scenes.

The exhibit area closed for renovations in January. It will officially reopen on Thursday, April 9, featuring pretend play and education on agriculture, farming and the sources of food in Central Illinois.

Pope Leo XIV has told the mayors of Bloomington and Normal that authority must be understood as service. The Pope referred to the example of Christ, who came “not to be served but to serve.”

Projects include a 1950s-themed picnic at One Normal Plaza on June 7, a commemorative logo and a mural at Sprague's Super Service.

There are still a lot of details to work through with a prospective contractor on the Uptown Normal underpass project for another revised bid, and with state, federal, and railroad partners. City Manager Pam Reece has more to say in a WGLT interview.

The union representing firefighters in the Town of Normal is giving up its request to add a fourth fire station. And the town is considering new traffic signal preemption technology that could cut 15-20 seconds off the average drive time to emergencies.

The Normal Town Council approved a new operating and capital investment budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The $233.5 million budget represents a 10% increase over last year.

There are further signs of a thaw in the shared sales tax dispute between the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal on one side and McLean County government on the other. The county board has approved a three month suspension of paying sales tax money from the city and town.

The Town of Normal is seeking community feedback on conceptual designs and ideas for redeveloping the Rosa Parks Commons.