🌱 How new Uptown TIF moves and storm actions could affect you

Good day Normal! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How new Uptown TIF moves and storm actions could affect you
• How Normal’s emergency extension could impact storm cleanup on your block
• Will Normal land a regional hub for hazardous household waste?

Today's riddle: How do you measure a fish? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Breezy this morning, with a high of 80 and low of 56 degrees.
• Thursday: Warm; fog in the morning, temps: high: 81, low: 60.
• Friday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 74 and low of 48 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. Normal approves Uptown TIF measures and extends tornado emergency declaration (wglt.org) — Normal’s Town Council approved new Uptown TIF steps to spur redevelopment and extended the tornado emergency so staff can fully tally storm damage. Members also advanced rules for battery energy storage systems, funded Rosa Parks Commons playground upgrades, locked in July 4 fireworks through 2028, and approved storm sewer and fire station improvements that affect neighborhoods across town.
   

2. The Normal Town Council Calls an Emergency Meeting to Discuss Emergency Disaster Proclamation Extensions (isu10news.com) — Normal’s town council has extended its local emergency disaster proclamation so storm cleanup and damage reporting can continue beyond the initial two-day window. Crews have already collected more than a month’s worth of brush in just two days, and residents are urged to file damage assessment reports to help the town, McLean County, and Bloomington pursue potential state and FEMA aid.
   

3. McLean County inches closer to a permanent site for hazardous waste disposal (wglt.org) — A Normal-based nonprofit is leading the push for McLean County’s first permanent hazardous waste disposal site, but still needs to raise much of the roughly $6 million price tag. Ecology Action Center director Michael Brown says the facility would make it far easier and safer for Bloomington-Normal residents to dispose of toxic household items, reducing landfill fires and groundwater risks while serving a wide regional area.
   

4. Bloomington targets mid-May completion for all storm damage removal (wglt.org) — Bloomington crews expect to finish their first major round of tornado debris removal by May 15, while Normal has already collected about 3,900 cubic yards of storm debris. Residents in Bloomington-Normal are asked to keep streets clear of parked cars so workers can reach large curbside piles, and to report damage to support potential countywide disaster assistance.
   

5. Hanna City man accused of stealing $250,000 from a Normal company (centralillinoisproud.com) — Normal police say a months-long investigation led to felony charges against a man accused of stealing roughly $250,000 from Premium Loaves, the company behind local Jimmy John’s stores. Prosecutors allege he used former employees’ identities to divert checks into his own account between 2024 and 2025. He’s currently free on pretrial release, with a court hearing set for June.
   

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📸 Around Normal

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Normal

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday April 23

• All of the Above
  Normal Theater , 209 W North St , Normal
  6:00 pm

Friday April 24

• Central Illinois 2026 City Nature Challenge
  Ecology Action Center , 202 W College Ave , Normal
• 2026 Foxtail Film Festival Regional Showcase
  Normal Theater , 209 W North St , Normal
  6:30 pm

Saturday April 25

• Grand Prairie Bird Alliance Bird Outing
  Schroeder Preserve , 16041 E 700 North Rd , Heyworth
  8:00 am
• Earth Day Constitution Trail and Sugar Creek Clean Up: April 25, 2026 (9:00-12:00pm)
  The Chateau , 1621 Jumer Dr , Bloomington
  9:00 am
• Future Home Living with COII
  Bloomington Public Library Community Room , 205 E Olive Street , Bloomington
  10:00 am
• 2026 Foxtail Film Festival Competitive Showcase
  Normal Theater , 209 W North St , Normal
  6:30 pm

Thursday April 30

• From Courtroom to Capital: Lincoln's Path to the Presidency
  Normal Theater , 209 W North St , Normal
  7:00 pm

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📣 Normal Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday April 22

• Raining Cats and Dogs Story/Activity Time!
  Towanda District Library , 301 S Taylor St , Towanda
  10:30 am

Thursday April 23

• Baseball-F/S Boys - VS Lexington (Game)
  Tri Valley CUSD 3 HOME - MS Baseball Field
  4:30 pm
• All of the Above
  Normal Theater , 209 W North St , Normal
  6:00 pm

Friday April 24

• Central Illinois 2026 City Nature Challenge
  Ecology Action Center , 202 W College Ave , Normal

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I had some minor damage to my deck during the last storm and I'm looking for a local handyman that can repair the damage.
  If anyone has a name and number, that would be a big help. (Nextdoor North Fields)

• Illinois State University posted a job opening for Campus Recreation Coordinator in Normal. Apply here.
• Cintas Corporation posted a job opening for Warehouse Associate - Washroom Operator in Normal. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Normal here.

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Ok Normal! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: By inches because they have no feet. (Thank you Gypsy S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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