February 19, 2026 

City Manager Pamela Reece

In this issue, we highlight the great works of Normal Public Library. The library is a welcoming place where people of all ages come to learn and connect.

Normal Public Library opens doors to knowledge, imagination and opportunity, while offering safe spaces for gathering, growing and belonging. More than just books, our library makes Normal stronger by bringing neighbors together and nurturing lifelong curiosity. Check it out!

This week, Council took action for the next steps of the Town’s Electric Aggregation Program. This program exists for residential and small commercial customers served by Ameren Illinois; the Town of Normal derives no financial benefit from this program. Instead of each household buying electricity on its own, this program allows the Town to shop for a power supplier that offers lower rates or cleaner energy. It's important to know:

We anticipate the Town will negotiate a contract in March or April. Stay tuned for more information.

Finally, Town crews and contractors are continuing care for native prairie areas. Prescribed burns will be happening, weather permitting, so don't be alarmed if you see crews managing fires in parks and natural areas. 

A strong community is built through collaboration. The Town of Normal’s partnerships throughout the community illustrate what’s possible when local government works with others. We are proud to align resources and share expertise to expand learning opportunities, strengthen our community’s workforce and support long-term economic vitality for residents of all ages.

Since 2018, Normal Public Library has sent thousands of library cards to Unit 5 students through a collaborative initiative among NPL, Bloomington Public Library and Unit 5. The effort makes receiving a library card part of school registration. In 2025, Normal Public Library sent out over 750 library cards to Unit 5 students.

In collaboration with assisted living and nursing home facilities in Normal and the Normal Activity & Recreation Center, library staff make bi-weekly deliveries of library materials and monthly "Pop-Up Libraries" that bring staff, services, and large-print books and other materials to residents.

With Normal Parks & Recreation, Normal Public Library staff provide engaging and educational programming to Unit 5 after-school participants. 

For over 35 years, Normal Public Library has provided volunteer opportunities to local college students at Illinois State University and Heartland Community College through the Partners in Reading program, which pairs college students with school-aged children to meet at the library weekly foster a love of reading.

With the support of Normal Public Library Foundation, Normal Public Library offers programming opportunities for the community that fall outside the constraints of the library's budget, including sign language story times with Sign & Sing, Summer Reading Challenges for all ages, outside speakers on relevant topics, lunchtime concerts and more. 

Forming, deepening and maintaining relationships with the library's community partners is essential to Normal Public Library's goal of increasing the accessibility and value of available programming, services, spaces, and collections. In 2025, Normal Public Library:

Above: Normal Public Library staff answer questions and are available to assist with everything from finding materials to navigating digital services.

Above: A teen enjoys some quiet time at one of the work tables in the library. 

Above:  A Normal Public Library family explores a wall manipulative in the newly renovated Discovery Room. This hands-on learning tool facilitates active learning through touch and motion. 

Above: Senator Koehler, Speaker of the House Welch, Representative Chung, Mayor Chris Koos, Normal Public Library Trustees, and Chamber Members celebrate the re-opening of the library building at 206 W. College Ave. after a 16-month renovation and asbestos remediation project.

On Feb. 16, the Normal Town Council took the following actions:

To learn more, read the Feb. 16 Council Action Reports. 

Electrical aggregation lets a community band together to buy electricity in bulk, saving money or using renewable energy .... without changing how your lights actually work.

The Town of Normal belongs to a consortium (CIMA - Central Illinois Municipal Aggregation) of municipalities, school districts, small businesses and others aggregating more than 40,000 electric accounts to purchase power at a reduced rate. The Town of Normal does not benefit from this program. It is purely for residents’ use and access. 

In 2012, Normal voters approved municipal aggregation by referendum. Under that program, the Town, working through brokers, solicits bids from alternative energy suppliers to provide electricity for residential and small commercial customers served by Ameren Illinois. Historically, this program has led to lower electric rates for those customers. 

Before the new contract takes effect, all eligible residential and small business customers will receive opt-out letters from the chosen electricity supplier. Those customers who do not return the opt-out letters will be automatically enrolled in the new aggregation program and receive the new aggregated rate beginning July 2026. 

Monday, March 16:

The Town of Normal Cultural Arts and Parks & Recreation Departments coordinate programming and events for the community to enjoy. 

March

April

Events in Uptown Normal unless otherwise noted

Prescribed burn management is an efficient and economical tool to reduce the amount of pesticides needed to control invasive plants. 

The Town plans prescribed burns in the following areas this spring:

A worker manages a prescribed burn in Fairview Park in 2025. 

The Town of Normal uses prescribed fire to manage recently planted prairie areas such as creek banks and detention basins. Prescribed burns help maintain native plant communities and promote ecological development. Without management, natural areas often become thickets of shrubs or weeds with little diversity.

Those conducting prescribed burns are specially trained, equipped and supervised. When burns are planned, the Normal Fire Department is notified and appropriate permits secured. To learn more, visit the Creek Maintenance page on the Town's website. 

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The Town of Normal team answered questions and met with community members at the recent Habitat for Humanity Home Show. They passed out the Town's Resident Guide. Find the Resident Guide information online. 

Above: Town of Normal Director of Inspections Mark Clinch (middle), his daughter (left) and Town of Normal Planner Tessa Ferraro (right) staff the Town's booth at the Home Show at the Interstate Center. 

Visit the Town of Normal website for past editions of Normal Now. 

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Thank you for being part of our community! We want to hear from you! Let us know how we're doing and what you'd like to see in future editions of Normal Now.