Normal
Normal, IL · Municipal
25newsnow.com
Morton Park District places bond referendum on ballot, pledging taxes won’t rise
MORTON (25News Now) -The Morton Park District is asking for your vote on a bond referendum for the Nov. 3 election. The park district said the proposed $4.8 million bond issue would help provide funding for multiple capital improvements for the park district that otherwise could not be completed with current revenue.
Daily Leader
Downtown Pontiac bar prepares to reveal new look after remodel
PONTIAC, IL — Something exciting is happening on North Mill Street, and the community is invited to come see what has been brewing behind the doors of a familiar local establishment. Mill St. Tap, located at 316 North Mill Street in Pontiac, is getting ready to celebrate a fresh new look with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. Oct. 29. The celebration will take place at the bar's back entrance. New owner Eric Barnard, who took ownership of Mill St. Tap on Dec. 30, 2025, has been working to give the business a much-needed makeover while breathing new life into the familiar neighborhood gathering place. With portions of the building in poor condition, improvements were needed both inside and out, Barnard said. He used a facade grant to fix up the exterior. Additional improvements to the interior and portions of the exterior were supported through the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council. So far, about $150,000 has been poured into the renovations with some projects still ongoing. While the building may have a fresh, new look, some of the things that made Mill St. Tap a Pontiac staple have not changed. For example, Mill St. Tap's popular
25newsnow.com
Peoria to pay millions for drones, high-tech tools for ‘safer outcomes’
PEORIA (25News Now) - The Peoria City Council has unanimously agreed to pay a technology firm almost $13.8 million over five years to receive the latest public safety tools, including a Drone as First Responder program. Arizona-based Axon has been doing business with the city since the early 2000s, supplying...
wmbdradio.com
Dream Center Peoria announces they’re doubling shelter capacity
PEORIA (25News Now) – Dream Center Peoria announced an expansion at their “Surrounded” event Thursday that will more than double the shelter’s capacity. Executive Director Andy King said Dream Center has seen an increase in families who are unhoused. The shelter was built for 120 people, but they were seeing between 140 to 180 people each night. So, they are changing.
25 News Now
Laura Cullinan remembered for her impact on Central Illinois healthcare
wglt.org
City manager says Normal is watching statewide data center talks, shared sales tax negotiation
The Town of Normal is still mulling over public testimony in the Twin Cities and McLean County from Bloomington's planning commission hearing on data centers earlier this month. At the Oct. 17 meeting, citizens overwhelmingly spoke out against the prospect of a data center. “Well, all of the citizen comments...
wcbu.org
Ali discusses budget priorities, drive-through cannabis, chronic nuisance properties
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali says she’s glad to see the city making a significant financial commitment to road improvements in the next fiscal year. “Our budget should align with our strategic plan, and the strategic plan calls for six priorities — and we’re planning to invest over $80 million in capital projects,” Ali said in her latest bimonthly interview with WCBU.
Central Illinois Proud
Road closures planned in Peoria for Blocktoberfest
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria residents can expect road closures as Blocktoberfest kicks off this weekend. The October block party will take place in Peoria’s Warehouse District and run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Starting at 7:30 a.m. and lasting until 9 p.m....
foxillinois.com
Ribbon-cutting held for new Reas Bridge in Decatur
DECATUR, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - A ribbon-cutting was held Monday for the revamped Reas Bridge in Decatur. Officials in Macon County celebrated the completion of the Reas Bridge over Lake Decatur. Construction started in late 2023 after the county secured $3.5 million in federal funding for the project. Reas Bridge was...
WCIA
UPDATE: Board approves letter supporting protections for Mahomet Aquifer
Update: 9 p.m. 10/27/2026 MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — The Mahomet Board of Trustees approved a resolution Tuesday night designed to increase protections for the Mahomet Aquifer. According to Patrick Brown, Village Administrator, the resolution authorizes the Village President — Jason S. Tompkins — to send letters to Senator Chapin Rose and Representative Chris Miller supporting […]
1027superhits.com
Festival draws crowds to Peoria’s Warehouse District
PEORIA (25News Now) – A party took over Peoria’s Warehouse District for the second annual Blocktoberfest on Adams Street, between Oak and Elm. Around 20 vendors participated, offering food trucks and shopping. There was also live entertainment. “The event really is just to bring awareness to the district...
Central Illinois Proud
Lane closures on Route 116 to cause delays in Peoria
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Part of Illinois Route 116 will be reduced to one lane in Peoria for two weeks. Starting Monday, Oct. 26, this will be between Griswold and Cole Streets, said Kimberly Hoskins, an Illinois Department of Transportation spokeswoman. She said the lane closures are necessary as...
chronicleillinois.com
Historic Lincoln image returns to Peoria
A historical image of a young, beardless Abraham Lincoln, taken in Peoria in 1858 and known to historians and collectors as “The Peoria Portrait,” has found its way back to its city of origin. Until recently, the whereabouts of the original “ambrotype,” a type of early photograph that produced images on glass, were unknown. Seth Kaller, nationally known rare documents expert, special advisor to the Peoria Riverfront Museum and curator of the museum’s “The Promise of Liberty” exhibit, located the historic photograph at an East Coast exhibit of rare photographs.
1049thewolf.com
Illinois Comic Con returning to Peoria with Tom Kenny, Ron Perlman and more
PEORIA, Ill. – Illinois Comic Con is returning to the Peoria Civic Center next month, bringing a lineup of actors, voice artists and creators to Central Illinois. Organizers announced Tuesday that this year’s celebrity lineup includes Tom Kenny, best known as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, and Ron Perlman, whose credits include Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy.