Normal gets federal dollars for infrastructure projects, Sorensen announces

The spending bill now advances to the Senate for passage and then heads to the President’s desk for signature.  (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By WMBD-TV

NORMAL – U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen said there was $2.4 million for projects within the town of Normal.

In the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that passed the House, the Rockford Democrat secured money to make Normal safer and healthier, his office said. The spending bill now advances to the Senate for passage and then heads to the President’s desk for signature. 

“As the representative for Central and Northwestern Illinois, one of my top priorities is making sure that our communities are safer and healthier for decades to come,” he said. “By working across the aisle, I secured funding for projects to do just that by keeping our kids safer near schools and protecting homes and businesses from flooding.” 

The projects are:

  • $850,000 to support a road improvement project along Vernon Avenue, which has fallen into disrepair in several locations. Specifically, funding will be used to convert four-lanes into three lanes with a central turn lane near Colene Hoose Elementary School, to improve safety for drivers and students. 
  • $1,550,000 to install a stormwater management system in areas of Normal that are prone to flooding. By improving the town’s stormwater management systems in these low-lying areas, this will better protect nearby homes and businesses against floods and strengthen Uptown Normal’s central business district. 

The projects Sorensen helped pass for Normal are the result of consultation with local officials and community leaders as part of the Community Project Funding process. This process allows members of Congress to direct funding for critical initiatives in their communities.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…