Daily
Normal
Friday, September 19th, 2025
Good morning, Normal. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 19th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Home Sweet Home Ministries is constructing a new shelter village called The Bridge near its facility south of Downtown Bloomington that will include about 50 tiny cabins and a community building costing $2.65 million — with an annual operating cost of about $700,000. The 108-year-old nonprofit remains a trusted organization known for its innovative approach in caring for the unhoused in Bloomington-Normal. WGLT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A French automotive supplier, OPmobility, will be the first company to move into the new supplier park near Rivian’s manufacturing plant in west Normal—where it will assemble bumpers for Rivian's lower-cost R2 model starting production next year. The company will hire 81 workers at above-average wages and make a significant capital investment while receiving tax breaks from the state's REV Illinois program. WGLT
- ➤ OPmobility will build its first Illinois facility at Rivian’s new Supplier Park in Normal, creating 81 full-time jobs and gaining $3.6 million in tax credits from REV Illinois. The facility will assemble bumpers and tech parts for Rivian’s R2 truck—supporting a planned production increase in 2026. Central Illinois Proud
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Illinois saw its unemployment rate drop to 4.4% in August and nonfarm payrolls fall by 13,300 jobs, while OPmobility will open its first facility in Normal with tax incentives to assemble bumpers for the Rivian R2 that will add 81 new full-time jobs. A judge sentenced Andrew P. Blassie to five years and three months in prison—ordering him to pay over $2.4 million in restitution after he pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges. Cities 92.9
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Unit 5 school board approved the $244.7 million 2025-26 budget on Wednesday and learned that Superintendent Kristen Weikle will retire at the end of the 2029-30 school year; they also approved an accessible playground at Parkside Elementary—set to be completed in four to six weeks—along with new sports programs and a $4.54 million bus contract. WGLT
- ➤ The McLean County Unit Five School Board approved boys’ volleyball and girls’ flag football for high school students in the 2026 to 2027 school year after over 2,000 students showed interest in a December 2024 survey. Board members said the new sports may boost grades, attendance and graduation rates — benefits they hope will support student success. WJBC
- ➤ The Unit 5 board approved a new inclusive playground at Parkside Elementary to help students play together and learn new skills — the project will soon benefit all children. The school plans to create a supportive space that lets everyone join in the fun. The Pantagraph
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded nearly $1 million to 15 stewardship programs statewide, and ParkLands Foundation in McLean County received $80,982 — funds used to buy equipment and hire services for invasive species control and prescribed fires. Central Illinois Proud
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ An annual financial trends report released on September 18 shows the Town of Normal has strong financial signs with rapid property growth from the Rivian auto plant and more home renovations that raised values by hundreds of millions. City Manager Pam Reece said the town cut its debt by $30 million over nine years but warned that sales tax receipts and future capital projects need careful planning — a move to help manage rising costs like electric rates. WGLT
- ➤ Beginning Monday, September 22 at 7:00 a.m., Henry Street will have a southbound lane closed between Whitaker Street and Teegan Street for pavement repair — drivers will follow a detour via Whitaker Street to Ogelthorpe Avenue to Teegan Street — and repairs will finish by Saturday, September 27 if weather permits. City of Normal
- ➤ Emergency managers in McLean County issued a county-wide ban on open burning until Friday, Sept.26 because prolonged dry conditions and low humidity are raising wildfire risks—several municipalities had already enacted their own bans. The agency advises residents to mulch or compost yard waste and store combustible debris safely until the ban is lifted. WGLT
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The secret to getting ahead is getting started.
~ Mark Twain
About Daily Normal
Welcome to the Daily Normal, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Normal, Illinois community. If you like the Daily Normal, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Normal.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Normal and across Illinois. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Normal
A free Normal community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailynormalnews.com/sitemap