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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 5

Normal weighs housing code changes; Heartland lands $99,778 grant

Plus, a volleyball sectional title game Thursday and Handel's Semele this weekend.

The Daily Bloomington team2 stories13 sources4 min read

Normal Town CouncilTop story

Normal weighs housing code changes for existing multifamily homes and accessory dwelling units

Two housing code amendments are on the table in Normal

AmendmentWhat it covers
Non-conforming housingExisting multifamily units stay under current code
Accessory dwelling unitsZoning changes that would allow ADUs

Sources: Central Illinois Proud, The Pantagraph

If you own a duplex or fourplex in a single-family zone, this one's for you. Normal's town council discussed two proposed amendments Monday as the Twin Cities work on the housing crisis. One covers . The other covers accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.

The first would permit existing non-conforming multifamily units to remain in place under current code, said Mercy Davison, the town's director of planning and zoning. Together, the changes could make it easier to restore certain existing homes and allow ADUs, the Pantagraph reports.

“If it's considered non-conforming, they can really only be maintained as they are.”

Mercy Davison, Normal's director of planning and zoning
  • Meeting: Normal town council, Monday night
  • Non-conforming: more units than the zoning permits
  • Example: a duplex in single-family zoning
  • Second change: allowing accessory dwelling units

2proposed amendments the council discussed Monday

One covers , the other accessory dwelling units.

Source: Central Illinois Proud

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Education

Heartland Community College wins a $99,778 state grant for student mental health

If you're a Heartland student, help is set to reach beyond the usual hours. The college announced Wednesday it was awarded $99,778 through the 's FY27 College Student Mental Health & Success Initiative Grant, spokesman Steve Fast said.

$99,778state grant for Heartland student mental health

The money comes from a competitive program for Illinois community colleges.

Sources: Central Illinois Proud, The Pantagraph

The money will go toward crisis counseling outside regular hours, Fast said. Crisis counselors will connect with students after hours and on weekends, and students will get free online wellness tools.

“This funding will help us strengthen the support and resources available to students so they can stay engaged in their education and succeed both inside and outside the classroom.”

Camille Springer, Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Services at Heartland
  • Source: Illinois Community College Board, competitive program
  • Counselors: reachable after hours and on weekends
  • Tools: free online wellness resources for students

Heartland's grant by the numbers

$99,778
awarded to Heartland
At least 22
community colleges the state anticipates awarding

Source: Central Illinois Proud

News Notes

Property tax

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

Volleyball

Normal West advanced to the Class 3A sectional championship match and will play Breese Mater Dei for the title Thursday. Mater Dei swept Normal U-High 25-18, 25-9 Tuesday, ending the Pioneers' season at 22-16. The Pantagraphnowdecatur

Volleyball, teachers, opera and trees fill the next two weeks

  1. Nov. 5Normal West plays Breese Mater Dei for the Class 3A sectional title.
  2. Nov. 6Illinois State hosts the 8th annual Future Teacher Conference.
  3. Nov. 7MIOpera and stage Handel's Semele at 7 p.m. in Normal.
  4. Nov. 8Semele plays at 4 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church in Urbana.
  5. Nov. 19The Baby Fold's Festival of Trees opens at the Interstate Center, through Nov. 21.

Sources: nowdecatur, FOX Illinois, WGLT, Smile Politely, The Pantagraph

Future teachers

Illinois State University is set to host more than 1,600 aspiring educators Friday for the 8th annual Future Teacher Conference. Students from more than 120 Illinois high schools will gather at the student center. FOX Illinois

Opera

MIOpera and the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana are staging Handel's Semele together for the first time. It runs at 7 p.m. Sat., Nov. 7 at Normal First United Methodist Church, with a 4 p.m. show Sun., Nov. 8 at Urbana's Wesley United Methodist Church, and tickets are $10-$25. WGLTSmile Politely

Festival of Trees

The Baby Fold's Festival of Trees takes place Nov. 19-21 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. It features more than 600 Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces and a gingerbread village. The Pantagraph

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The Wrap

Downtown Bloomington's Art Walk hits its 26th year tonight, Thursday, Nov. 5, with stops around the Square. Studios like Angel Ambrose Fine Art Studio and Art Vortex Studio are among the participating spots, so there's art for everyone. Happy wandering.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Bloomington voters favor grocery tax repeal and a data center moratorium

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Every source in this edition13 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Central Illinois Proudcentralillinoisproud.com
  3. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  4. Central Illinois Proudcentralillinoisproud.com
  5. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  6. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  7. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  8. nowdecaturchannel1450.com
  9. FOX Illinoisfoxillinois.com
  10. WGLTwglt.org
  11. Smile Politelysmilepolitely.com
  12. The Pantagraphpantagraph.com
  13. Bloomington events calendardailybloomington.com

Past issues

  1. Wed., Nov. 4Bloomington voters favor grocery tax repeal and a data center moratorium
  2. Tues., Nov. 3McLean County budget would cut tax rate to a 20-year low
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Daily Bloomingtonto me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

Normal weighs housing code changes; Heartland lands $99,778 grant

Plus, a volleyball sectional title game Thursday and Handel's Semele this weekend.

The TLDR

  1. Normal's council discussed housing code changes on existing multifamily homes and ADUs
  2. Heartland Community College wins $99,778 for student mental health
  3. Normal West plays Mater Dei for the Class 3A sectional title
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Bloomington’s other editions

All the news
ElectionBloomington voters favor repealing the grocery tax and pausing large data centersIf you voted in Bloomington on Tuesday, here's where things stand. Voters favored repealing the city's 1% grocery tax and imposing a moratorium on large-scale data centers, according to unofficial returns. The reports we saw don't give vote totals for either question.Wednesday’s editionRead McLean CountyMcLean County proposes a $150.4 million budget and expects a 20-year-low tax rateMcLean County's fiscal 2027 budget would total $150.4 million and could bring a historic property tax rate reduction. The proposal also faces a significant increase in health insurance contributions for staff.Tuesday’s editionRead High School FootballNormal West hosts Pekin on Friday as the IHSA playoffs move to the second roundIf you follow Normal-area football, circle Friday. No. 2 Normal West (9-1) hosts No. 7 Pekin (7-3) in Class 6A at 7 p.m. Fri., Nov. 6, as the Peoria Journal Star lists it. It's part of a second round that follows a weekend that left 128 teams standing.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around Bloomington

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 Now11 hours ago

    Joshua Crockett makes history in McLean County, promises changes to clerk’s office

    Joshua Crockett makes history as McLean County Clerk-elect and outlines plans to improve financial oversight, voting access, and county services.

    Also reported byCentral Illinois Proud

  2. Central Illinois Proud12 hours ago

    Normal considers housing code changes to help housing crisis

    The Normal Town Council met Monday night to discuss proposed housing code amendments aimed at allowing non-conforming multifamily units to remain and permitting new accessory dwelling units to address the local housing crisis.

  3. WEEK 25 News Now14 hours ago

    Mclean County Clerk

  4. The Pantagraph14 hours ago

    Heartland awarded nearly $100,000 to expand student mental health services

    Heartland Community College was awarded a $99,778 grant to expand mental health support through crisis counseling outside regular hours, expanded services in Lincoln and Pontiac, and free online wellness tools.

    Also reported byCentral Illinois Proud

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    Shorewood's police officer discovered that Austin Lyle's license had been revoked four times for DUI upon spotting the 2007 Honda Accord.

  6. The Pantagraph15 hours ago

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    The McLean County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care invites residents to complete a survey aimed at enhancing recovery services and support for those affected by substance use.