Town of Normal Strengths
2030 Committee - Myra Gordon and Duane Yockey
Contributors: Paul Bates, Ken Berk, James Bortell, Rusty DePew, Katie Klein, Rose Marsaglia, Angela Poore, Myra Gordon, Duane Yockey
Strength: Recreational Facilities
Description: Good Parks and Pools (Anderson and Fairview),
Constitution Trail, softball facilities and summer theater. In addition
to the facilities, the staff get high marks as well.
Strength: Library
Description: Good facilities and programs (children's
program especially and book sales)
Strength: Illinois State University
Description: ISU adds immensely to our community - educational
opportunities, cultural activities, music, theater, sports events,
special events and the students themselves.
Strength: Cultural Activities
Description: Normal has the "small town feel with bigger
town amenities" - the Illinois Symphony, Shakespeare Festival, ballet
(the Nutcracker), Sugar Creek Arts Festival, nearby McLean Co. Museum
of History, Children's Discovery Museum, the Normal Theater, WGLT
Strength: Transportation
Description: Normal is blessed with 3 interstate highways,
rail service (Amtrack as well as freight), a nearby airport, and
a well managed traffic system.
Strength: Schools
Description: Unit 5 schools, University High School, Metcalf
School, and Heartland College offer a wide range of opportunities
(educational, theater, great music program, sports) for a wide range
of children and adults.
Strength: Waste Management
Description: Normal has a great and user friendly recycle
program, bulky waste pickup, leaf pickup, hazardous waste and electronics
waste management as well.
Strength: People
Description: Normal has become the home of multicultural
and multiracial citizens with a high level of education, civic involvement,
friendliness and cooperation
Strength: Good Economy
Description: Normal citizens enjoy an area with low unemployment
with stable employers (such as State Farm). There are opportunites
for small businesses to start and many locally owned business have
flourished. Many employers provide generous benefits to their employees
and encourage them to be active and involved in their community.
Strength: Healthcare
Description: A high level of healthcare is available in
Normal - Bro-Menn hospital, the Community Cancer Center, the Community
Health Care Clinic, the Mennonite School of Nursing, outstanding
physicians and healthcare workers.
Strength: Safety
Description: Normal citizens enjoy a sense of security (good
law enforcement, fire department, friendly neighbors and a caring
community). This is a great town in which to raise a family.
Strength: Local Government
Description: We have accessible and responsive leaders, who are also fiscally responsible.