Good morning, Normal.

Bloomington posted a checklist of fall activities including indoor and outdoor events such as an open skate at the ice center, a themed zoo event, and the Great Pumpkin Hunt—details on event times are available—so residents can plan their season.

Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli and drag performer Peaches Christ will host Queer for Fear Live! at Normal Theater on Oct 15 and Oct 16.

The event will offer a free podcast-style discussion and performance on Oct 15 at 7 p.m.—followed by a ticketed film screening of All About Evil with a Q&A on Oct 16.

The District 87 school board approved a fiscal 2026 budget — spending $129M and refinancing bonds to secure $20M for capital projects while addressing a $5M deficit in the education fund.

The board also set a temporary contract with a technology consultant that will run from Oct. 1 until June 30.

Heartland Community College reported that fall enrollment increased from 4,495 students in 2024 to 4,549 in 2025—showing a steady upward trend.

McLean County Unit 5 will offer girls flag football—and boys volleyball—to high school students for the 2026-27 school year.

The new sports programs will broaden athletic choices for students.

Illinois Gov. Pritzker said he may take executive action to regulate hemp if the legislature fails to pass laws limiting hemp-infused products that put children at risk—he stressed that public safety must be prioritized.

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch confirmed Tuesday that downstate will benefit from changes aimed at funding Chicago's transit system—he noted the system faces a fiscal cliff that could cut jobs and service lines, and lawmakers plan to address it in the upcoming veto session.

Senator Dick Durbin met with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on Wednesday to discuss the Rescissions Act of 2025 that cut $1.1 billion from local media funding—he warned that the cuts would harm community services.

Local stations such as WGLT in Normal have continued operations and increased their fundraising efforts.

Illinois State University's legal studies head Amelia Buragas said public employees' free speech rights are limited when online comments are disparaging—recent court rulings, including one on a fired school counselor, have supported these restrictions.

The McLean County Unit 5 school board approved a $244.7M budget for fiscal 2026 with a projected deficit of about $3M due to lower state funding and higher operating costs—spending increased by $22.7M from last fiscal year.

Chief Financial Officer Marty Hickman said local revenue and expected boosts in salaries, benefits and transportation costs will shape future adjustments once state funding numbers are finalized in November.