Page 9 - Constitution Trail News Today

The Town of Normal is exploring how to redesign a 1.85-mile stretch of Vernon Avenue, running from Beaufort Street on the west to Towanda Avenue on the east.

A 2.5-acre lot in a Bloomington neighborhood sat vacant for years until its property owner invited newly displaced, unhoused people to stay there last summer. Unresolved city code violations have since resulted in a court case between the owner and the City of Bloomington.

Homeless shelter managers in Bloomington believe they have found a long-term solution to a shortage of emergency beds during the winter, but they are still about 50 beds short this winter.

When Glenn Elementary students and their families reach Normal’s busy Fell Avenue, crossing guard Gayle Thomas is there to meet them. The retired construction manager, who's a great-grandfather, stands at the ready each weekday.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos said the hefty margins of victory for moderates in school board and town council races and the Unit 5 referendum show the electorate rejects the negativity of recent years from the far right. Koos also ties McLean County results to state and national trends.

There are plenty of options for commemorating Earth Day, whether it’s celebrating at a festival, volunteering for tree planting and community cleanups or learning how to help the environment.

The city manager of Bloomington hopes the city council will not be too quick to eliminate the vehicle use tax. The sales tax on Bloomington residents who buy vehicles outside the city raises about $1.3 million per year.

Six people living in tents along Constitution Trail in Bloomington have been given until Thursday to relocate. They are staying near the Home Sweet Home Ministries shelter, which doesn't have extra room; several residents say they were kicked out for breaking the shelter's rules.

Bloomington will use a $500,000 state grant to build out sections of Constitution Trail along the north side of Hamilton Road, and the west side of Hershey Road.

From Bloomington-Normal down to Springfield, these Central Illinois-based stops along Route 66 offer sites and attractions “route-d” in city- and state-wide history. Springfield Gearing up to welcome groups like the Illinois Reading Council, American Legion and USA Gymnastics (USAG) Trampoline and Tumbling, Springfield, Illinois, is past pandemic levels, back in full swing and moving forward as a meetings and events destination in the heart of the state.