From the City Manager's Desk: |
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City Manager Pamela Reece
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We've had an exciting and busy start to the new year! Most notably, the Town proudly announced we've earned the What Works Cities Silver Certification from Results for America and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Earning this certification illustrates our commitment to making data-driven decisions to improve how we serve the community.
Our Facilities team also received honors! Read on to learn more. It's also budget time. This week, Council reviewed the proposed 2026-27 budget at a public review session.
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The “Welcome to Normal” video is is linked from the Economic Development and the About Normal pages on the Town of Normal's website.The video introduces potential residents, developers and business leaders to all our community has to offer.
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On Jan. 20, the Normal Town Council reviewed the proposed 2026-27 budget and also took the following actions:
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Authorized the purchase of two 2026 Chevrolet Equinox electric vehicles, thanks to a grant from Ameren, which supports the Town’s sustainability goal by advancing the fleet toward cleaner, low-emission technology.
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Executed a contract for exhibit updates at the Children’s Discovery Museum to create community-informed content and concept artwork for the first and second floors, including new themes and hands-on activities for next-generation of early learners and caregivers The Children's Discovery Museum Foundation covers all expenses associated with this contract.
- Approved an appointment to the Bloomington-Normal the Human Relations Commission.
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| - Public Hearing (prior to Council meeting) allows time for public to provide input to the Council
- Budget Adoption (included in agenda of Council meeting)
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Town of Normal In the News |
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Fire Station #2 relocation |
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| Review this information for additional information about the relocation of Fire Station #2.
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| “We are keeping School Street between College and Mulberry closed to continue evaluating safety initiatives at the intersection. We will further review objective data to fully understand how the closure impacted traffic and pedestrian safety.”
-- Ryan Otto, director of Engineering & Public Works for the Town of Normal
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“Human trafficking happens all around us and addressing it requires an informed and proactive community."
-- Carol Merna, chief executive officer of the Center for Prevention of Abuse
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| Proudly partnering with others |
This week, the Town participated in a press conference to announce the Route 66 Centennial Celebrations throughout McLean County in 2026. Read more about the collaborative efforts on the VisitBN website.
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Town of Normal Achievements |
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Department Spotlight: Planning & Zoning |
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Above: Tessa Ferraro, a member of the Town's Planning & Zoning department, speaks to a class at Heartland Community College.
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| Normal is strong because of collaboration.
The Town of Normal’s partnerships throughout the community illustrate what’s possible when local government works with others.
Town staff proudly align resources and share expertise to expand learning opportunities and strengthen our community’s workforce.
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The Planning & Zoning team serves as guest speakers, as requested, for many local community groups, local high schools, as well as classrooms at Illinois State University and Heartland Community College.
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| The team recently assisted Illinois State University in their Bike Friendly University application and partnered with the Safe Streets grant around campus. Other bicycle-friendly initiatives in 2025 resulted in:
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280 participants in community bike rodeos where kids learned to ride bicycles safely
- 531 bike safety quizzes taken
- Giving away 500 sets of bike lights and more than 140 helmets
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The Planning & Zoning Department group also:
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serves as liaisons with the Historic Preservation Commission which, in 2025, obligated over $37,000 in Bone Grant funding for home restoration for property owners in historic districts
- helps other departments with grant applications and compliance, currently totaling more than $19 million
- work with local community groups such as Friends of the Constitution Trail, Ecology Action Center and the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance
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coordinates distribution of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the principal purpose of benefitting low- to moderate-income residents and neighborhoods. In 2025, this resulted in:
- $174,000 to support 13 households with housing rehabilitation and tree removal services
- $56,000 to rehabilitate a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) owned by Lifelong Access which houses eight adults with developmental disabilities
- $100,000 in facility improvements at Home Sweet Home Ministry’s emergency shelter
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Partnering with Home Sweet Home Ministries to provide street outreach to 43 unhoused neighbors in Normal
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