By: Diane Benjamin

According to the Pantagraph, the underpass will be back before the Normal Town Council with an even higher bill. Monday’s agenda hasn’t been posted yet.

Chris Koos and (mayor in waiting) Kevin McCarthy will never say the cost is too high. I doubt Rory Roberge or Karyn Smith will either. Saving 50 feet is never too expensive. https://blnnews.com/2025/01/07/normal-50-feet/

Uptown is so successful the properties around the circle couldn’t attract a developer in 23 years of the first TIF. A new TIF will, right? The circle will never be finished unless the Town throws funds at a the developer.

The last underpass construction contract had Normal taxpayers paying almost $15 million. That number will go up. Pam Reece is worried about “maybe” repaying money they already spent if the Town doesn’t build the underpass. That amount isn’t close to what they plan to spend!

The cost of this project has increased from $13 million to over $40 million in 9 years. That is more than a 200% increase and WAY over the inflation rate. It also signals $13 million wasn’t close to a real number when it was proposed.

Is that how you budget? No, that’s how the government spends money, because spending other people’s money on wants is progressive.

Results of last local election most residents in Normal didn’t bother voting in are below. All trustees had NO opposition, just the mayor:

Evidently a lot of people who did bother to vote decided NOT to vote for 3 people or any of them. Since winning is all that matters, that number won’t scare any of those elected.

You can fight back by not giving Normal money: local gas tax is .08 a gallon plus sales tax. Add local the 2.5% Food and Beverage tax they increased to fund the underpass.

Of course, that only works if a lot of people do it. Since most don’t vote I doubt enough to matter will.

Karyn Smith will be on the 2027 ballot if she chooses to run again. If she votes yes, make sure she retires next year. Kathleen Lorenz and Andy Byars will be on the ballot too if they chose to run. Both voted no last November so they will probably be against spending even more.

Normal is stuck with McCarthy, Roberge, and Koos until 2029 unless Koos finally hands the reins to McCarthy. Preston was a no vote last time and prtobably will be again.

The vote will be 4-3 again unless Smith or Roberge wake up to reality. Don’t hold your breath.