By: Diane Benjamin
Below was the original vote where the contractor was awarded the contract and later backed out: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5441
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WGLT reported the Town is now going to consider spending $33.7 million to lure the other original bidder to take the project: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-03-11/new-underpass-draft-bid-in-normal-is-higher-than-the-one-approved-in-november
More “wants” will probably be cut to lower that price. In future years they will be added back at taxpayer expense. The increased food/beverage tax and hotel/motel tax are supposed to sunset in 25 years. Nobody is going to remember that clause.
The 4 members voting yes don’t believe there is any cost limit.
PDF page 132: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5414
The original PJ Hoerr bid was $40,765,000. They cut the price by $7 million?
Sure.
PJ Hoerr and the town of Normal are in cahoots with each other and this is just the game the town of Normal is playing to ultimately award the contract to their friends at PJ Hoerr. Anybody who doesn’t see this just ain’t paying attention. Although this is such standard procedure with Koos, Pam, town staff and Council that we’ve all just turned a blind eye to it.