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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 4

Normal hires PJ Hoerr for $863,729 Children's Discovery Museum expansion

Plus, a proposed $15.87 million property tax levy and a TIF hearing near Business 51.

The Daily Normal team1 story10 sources4 min read

Town CouncilTop story

Normal hires PJ Hoerr to build the Children's Discovery Museum's water play expansion

$863,729cost of the museum project, which the foundation will reimburse

The Foundation will reimburse the town for the full cost.

Source: WEEK 25 News Now

If your kids love the water table, good news: the is getting more room for it. The Normal Town Council Monday night unanimously approved a contract with Central Illinois-based to enclose the space beneath the museum's existing balcony.

The Pantagraph says the agreement is capped at nearly $864,000. City Manager Pam Reece said PJ Hoerr is the most cost-effective choice because the company is "already onsite" with a contract for the underpass project.

  • Contractor: PJ Hoerr, already mobilized in the area
  • What's built: indoor space for a new water table exhibit
  • Demolition: expected to begin immediately, per a council memo

The museum plans to open the new space in early 2028

  1. Nov. 2Town Council unanimously approves the contract
  2. 2027Exterior building work is expected to be completed
  3. Early 2028Museum plans to open the expanded space with the new exhibit

Source: WEEK 25 News Now

Asked

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Asked

How often does your family visit the Children's Discovery Museum?

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News Notes

Tax levy

Normal's combined town and library property tax levy would increase to $15.87 million under a proposal. It projects a lower estimated tax rate based on a growing property tax base. The Pantagraph

TIF district

Normal held a public hearing on a proposed tax increment financing district. It would cover about 215 acres and 94 parcels near Business 51 and West Raab Road. The Pantagraph

The proposed TIF district covers 215 acres and 94 parcels

About 215
acres in the proposed TIF district
94
parcels near Business 51 and West Raab Road

Source: The Pantagraph

Liquor rules

The council approved changes to Normal's liquor and business licensing rules. They include provisions for catered cash bars, canned cocktails and specialized permits. The Pantagraph

Volleyball

Normal West advanced to the Class 3A sectional championship match. Breese Mater Dei swept Normal U-High 25-18, 25-9 and will play Normal West in the title game Thursday. The Pioneers finish 22-16. The Pantagraphnowdecatur

Power Player

Normal West senior Lauralai Zink, 17, has been selected among 27 NHL Power Players. The board of young hockey fans advises the league on topics important to their generation. WGLT

Home

Two home kitchen upgrades under $24 while sales last: super-absorbent dish towels that come in an eight-pack and include a hanging loop, and a water-absorbing stone sponge holder that’s minimalist, compact, and keeps counters and sponges dry with natural diatomite stone.

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Apparel

5 women’s sweaters, cardigans, and fall tops under $35

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More worth The Buy

Asked

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Asked

What's on your list for Friday and Saturday?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

— Jack London

Things to Do

Things to Do

Normal, IL

Wednesday, Nov. 4

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Jobs

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Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

This is my new foster, Ruffles.

“She is a 12 week old pup looking for a forever home. She is 14.5 pounds and such a sweetie. She is very treat motivated and has already learned how to go to the door to let me know she needs to go potty. She sleeps overnight in a cage with no accidents or whining and we are currently teaching her to sit. She is dog…”

— A neighbor, Ruben
Photo from the neighbor’s post

63 likes · 5 comments

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The Wrap

Fall sweaters finally get their night out. Downtown Bloomington on the Square turns November's First Friday into Cider & Sweaters on Fri., Nov. 6, with a cozy stroll through the shops and a forecast that calls for a high of 48. Bundle up in your best knit. Cozy never looked so good.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? McLean County's proposed budget expects a 20-year-low tax rate

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition10 links · 6 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. WEEK 25 News Now25newsnow.com
  3. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  4. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  5. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  6. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  7. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  8. nowdecaturchannel1450.com
  9. WGLTwglt.org
  10. Normal events calendardailynormalnews.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 3McLean County's proposed budget expects a 20-year-low tax rate
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Daily Normalto me · Wed., Nov. 46:00 a.m.

Normal hires PJ Hoerr for $863,729 Children's Discovery Museum expansion

Plus, a proposed $15.87 million property tax levy and a TIF hearing near Business 51.

The TLDR

  1. Town Council hires PJ Hoerr for the museum's water play expansion
  2. Normal proposes a $15.87 million property tax levy
  3. A 215-acre TIF district near Business 51 and West Raab Road gets a hearing
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Normal’s other editions

All the news
McLean CountyMcLean County eyes a 20-year-low tax rate as voters head to the pollsIf you pay McLean County property taxes, this one's for you. The county's proposed $150.4 million budget for fiscal 2027 expects the tax rate to hit a 20-year low. The catch: staff health insurance contributions face a significant increase.Tuesday’s editionRead High School FootballHigh school football playoffs head into round two, with the state finals coming to NormalIf you follow high school football, round two is Fri., Nov. 6 and Sat., Nov. 7. The opening round left 128 teams standing, 16 in each of the IHSA's eight classes. Quincy beat Chicago Goode 88-84 in Class 6A, and Normal Community, the No. 1 seed in Class 7A, beat Edwardsville 28-14.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around Normal

From WEEK 25 News Now, Central Illinois Proud and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. WEEK 25 News Now6 hours ago

    Voters at Bloomington watch party cite health care costs, grocery prices and maternal health record

  2. WEEK 25 News Now7 hours ago

    Normal Community's Kearfott shines as a team captain

  3. Central Illinois Proud7 hours ago

    Joshua Crockett wins McLean County Clerk seat

    Joshua Crocket won the McLean County Clerk seat on Tuesday, defeating incumbent Kathy Michael, and is scheduled to be sworn in this December for a four-year term.

  4. The Pantagraph7 hours ago

    Bloomington voters favor grocery tax repeal, data center moratorium

    Bloomington voters supported grocery tax repeal and a data center moratorium in advisory votes, while Dale fire district tax proposals trailed and Heyworth voters approved school board election changes Tuesday.

  5. nowdecatur7 hours ago

    Normal U-High’s Thompson Talks Sectional Semifinal Loss

    Following a sectional semifinal loss on Tuesday we spoke with Normal U-High head coach Ratasha Thompson about the loss, the season and the seniors. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

  6. nowdecatur7 hours ago

    Mater Dei Sweeps U-High To Advance to Sectional Finals

    The Normal U-High Pioneers jumped out to a lead in the first set but it was the Breese Mater Dei Knights to earned the two set victory on Tuesday. The Knights advance to the sectional finals