Editing Normal, Illinois

{{other uses|Normal (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Normal, Illinois
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = Normal, Illinois.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Uptown Normal, looking east on North Street, 2011
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = Normal Illinois Logo.png
| seal_type          = Logo
| pushpin_map        = Illinois
| pushpin_label      = Normal
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Illinois
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| image_map          = File:McLean County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Normal Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = Location of Normal in McLean County, Illinois
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Illinois|County]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Illinois|Townships]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_name1  = [[Illinois]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[McLean County, Illinois|McLean]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Normal Township, McLean County, Illinois|Normal]], [[Dry Grove Township, McLean County, Illinois|Dry Grove]], [[Towanda Township, McLean County, Illinois|Towanda]]
<!-- *** Government *** -->| government_type    = 
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1854
| established_title2 = Founded
| established_date2  = February 1865
| established_title3 = Incorporated
| established_date3  = February 25, 1867
| leader_title1      = Mayor
| leader_name1       = [[Chris Koos]]
| leader_title2      = City Manager
| leader_name2       = Pamela Reece
<!-- *** Geography *** -->| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 18.03
| area_land_sq_mi    = 17.94
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.09
| area_water_percent = 0.33
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = <!-- *** Population *** -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_total   = 52736
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 2939.25
| timezone           = [[Central Standard Time (USA)]]
| utc_offset         = −6
| timezone_DST       = [[Central Daylight Time]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −5
| coordinates        = {{coord|40|30|44|N|88|59|19|W|region:US-IL|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 830
| postal_code        = 61761, 61790
| postal_code_type   = 
| area_code          = 309
| website            = {{URL|https://www.normalil.gov|normalil.gov}}
| footnotes          = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 17-53234
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] ID
| blank1_info        = 2396818<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396818}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = Public transit
| blank2_info        = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 15, 2022|archive-date=March 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315130646/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 46.70
| area_land_km2      = 46.47
| area_water_km2     = 0.23
| population_density_km2 = 1134.85
}}

'''Normal''' is a town in [[McLean County, Illinois]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the town's population was 52,736. Normal is the smaller of two principal cities of the [[Bloomington–Normal]] metropolitan area, and is Illinois' seventh most populous community outside the [[Chicago metropolitan area]]. The main campus of Illinois' oldest public university, [[Illinois State University]], a fully accredited four-year institution, is in Normal, as is [[Heartland Community College]], a fully accredited two-year institution.  [[Chris Koos]] has been the mayor of Normal since 2003.<ref>{{cite web| publisher=Town of Normal| title=Mayor Chris Koos| url=https://www.normal.org/89/Mayor-Chris-Koos| accessdate=February 26, 2022| archive-date=February 27, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227034916/https://www.normal.org/89/Mayor-Chris-Koos| url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Former Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home along historic Route 66 as it enters the town of Normal, IL, - 12295651885.jpg|thumb|left|Normandy Village at the former [[Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's School]]]]
The town was laid out with the name '''North Bloomington''' on June 7, 1854, by Joseph Parkinson.<ref>''Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McLean County'' (Chicago: Munsell, 1908) p.902.</ref> From its founding, it was generally recognized that [[Jesse W. Fell]] was the force behind the creation of the town. He had arranged for the new railroad, which would soon become the [[Chicago and Alton Railroad]], to pass west of [[Bloomington, Illinois|Bloomington]] and then curve to cross the [[Illinois Central Railroad]] at a point where he owned or controlled land. Most of the original town lies south of these tracks, with Beaufort Street as its northern limit, and some blocks west of the Illinois Central and north of the tracks.<ref>''Combined Indexed Atlas 1852 - 1914, McLean County, Illinois'' (Bloomington: McLean County Historical Society and McLean County Genealogical Society, 2006) p. 89.</ref> Fell, his brothers, and associates quickly laid out many additions to the original town.

The town was renamed Normal in February 1865 and officially incorporated on February 25, 1867.<ref name="history">[http://www.normal.org/About/History.asp History of Normal] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927031824/http://www.normal.org/About/History.asp |date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="ilsostownsearch">{{cite web| url = http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovnameindexsrch.jsp| title = Name Index to Illinois Local Governments| author = Illinois Regional Archives Depository System| work = Illinois State Archives| publisher = [[Illinois Secretary of State]]| access-date = May 2, 2013| archive-date = November 10, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131110230747/http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovnameindexsrch.jsp| url-status = live}}</ref> The name was taken from Illinois State Normal University, a [[normal school]] (teacher-training institution) located there. The school has since been renamed [[Illinois State University]] after becoming a general four-year university. Normal is adjacent to [[Bloomington, Illinois]], and when mentioned together they are known as the "Twin Cities", "[[Bloomington–Normal]]", "BN", or "BloNo".

In 2007, the [[town council]] voted to name the downtown area "Uptown Normal",<ref name="uptown-vote">{{cite web|url=http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_bccd0a94-dfba-5c29-908a-64308910666a.html|title='Down' is now 'up' in Normal|access-date=November 29, 2009|date=November 19, 2006|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205204304/https://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_bccd0a94-dfba-5c29-908a-64308910666a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and, as of 2011, Uptown Normal is home to the Children's Discovery Museum, Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Hyatt Place Hotel, Uptown Station and Town Hall, Brewe-Ha's Bar and Grill, and a variety of local shops and restaurants all centered around a roundabout.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uptownnormal.com |title=Uptown Normal |publisher=Uptown Normal |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812203150/http://www.uptownnormal.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The district is also home to the historic non-profit [[Normal Theater]], a restored [[Art Deco]] theater owned by the Town of Normal that shows classic and independent films.

On August 31, 2021, a [[mass shooting]] occurred at a mobile home park in Normal that left three people dead and three more injured. The deceased were two women and a man, the latter being the gunman. He was killed by numerous Normal Police Officers after they discharged their firearms at him .<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mystateline.com/news/national/three-dead-suspect-killed-by-police-in-mass-shooting-at-illinois-mobile-home-park/|title=Three dead, suspect killed by police in mass shooting at Illinois mobile home park|publisher=My Stateline|date=August 31, 2021|accessdate=September 1, 2021|archive-date=September 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902030846/https://www.mystateline.com/news/national/three-dead-suspect-killed-by-police-in-mass-shooting-at-illinois-mobile-home-park/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://fox2now.com/news/illinois/graphic-state-police-release-footage-from-officer-involved-shooting-in-illinois/|title=GRAPHIC: State Police release footage from officer-involved shooting in Illinois|first1=Mike|last1=Smith|first2=Shelbey|last2=Roberts|work=KTVI|access-date=October 13, 2021|archive-date=October 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026204805/https://fox2now.com/news/illinois/graphic-state-police-release-footage-from-officer-involved-shooting-in-illinois/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-30 |title=3 Dead, 3 Injured In Shootings At North Normal Mobile Home Park |url=https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2021-08-30/normal-police-respond-to-shooting-incident-at-mobile-home-park |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=WGLT |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the 2010 census, Normal has a total area of {{convert|18.412|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|18.35|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, or 99.66%, is land and {{convert|0.062|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, or 0.34%, is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1753234
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=August 1, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213065102/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1753234
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Normal 4NE, Illinois (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 69
| Feb record high F = 76
| Mar record high F = 88
| Apr record high F = 95
| May record high F = 103
| Jun record high F = 106
| Jul record high F = 114
| Aug record high F = 105
| Sep record high F = 103
| Oct record high F = 93
| Nov record high F = 82
| Dec record high F = 72
| year record high F = 114
| Jan high F = 33.4
| Feb high F = 38.2
| Mar high F = 49.8
| Apr high F = 62.8
| May high F = 74.0
| Jun high F = 83.3
| Jul high F = 86.0
| Aug high F = 84.4
| Sep high F = 78.8
| Oct high F = 65.6
| Nov high F = 50.2
| Dec high F = 38.3
| year high F = 62.1
| Jan mean F = 24.5
| Feb mean F = 28.5
| Mar mean F = 38.8
| Apr mean F = 50.3
| May mean F = 61.9
| Jun mean F = 71.6
| Jul mean F = 74.5
| Aug mean F = 72.6
| Sep mean F = 65.9
| Oct mean F = 53.7
| Nov mean F = 40.5
| Dec mean F = 29.8
| year mean F = 51.1
| Jan low F = 15.6
| Feb low F = 18.9
| Mar low F = 27.8
| Apr low F = 37.9
| May low F = 49.8
| Jun low F = 59.9
| Jul low F = 63.0
| Aug low F = 60.8
| Sep low F = 53.0
| Oct low F = 41.8
| Nov low F = 30.7
| Dec low F = 21.4
| year low F = 40.0
| Jan record low F = −24
| Feb record low F = −24
| Mar record low F = −15
| Apr record low F = 5
| May record low F = 21
| Jun record low F = 31
| Jul record low F = 41
| Aug record low F = 38
| Sep record low F = 22
| Oct record low F = 6
| Nov record low F = -7
| Dec record low F = −22
| year record low F = -24
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 2.43
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.99
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.61
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.72
| May precipitation inch = 4.81
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.08
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.12
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.83
| Sep precipitation inch = 3.22
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.48
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.80
| Dec precipitation inch = 2.30
| year precipitation inch = 39.39
| Jan snow inch = 7.5
| Feb snow inch = 5.5
| Mar snow inch = 2.2
| Apr snow inch = 0.5
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.8
| Dec snow inch = 3.6
| year snow inch = 20.1
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 8.9
| Feb precipitation days = 8.3
| Mar precipitation days = 9.8
| Apr precipitation days = 11.5
| May precipitation days = 12.1
| Jun precipitation days = 10.5
| Jul precipitation days = 8.4
| Aug precipitation days = 9.1
| Sep precipitation days = 7.6
| Oct precipitation days = 9.2
| Nov precipitation days = 8.7
| Dec precipitation days = 8.9
| year precipitation days = 113.0
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 4.8
| Feb snow days = 3.8
| Mar snow days = 1.7
| Apr snow days = 0.3
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.8
| Dec snow days = 3.1
| year snow days = 14.5
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= nws>{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=ilx
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 21, 2021
| archive-date = March 18, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210318054551/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ilx
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00116200&format=pdf
| title = Station: Normal 4NE, IL
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 21, 2021
| archive-date = July 22, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210722022647/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00116200&format=pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 847
|1870= 1116
|1880= 2470
|1890= 3459
|1900= 3796
|1910= 4024
|1920= 5143
|1930= 6768
|1940= 6983
|1950= 9772
|1960= 13357
|1970= 26396
|1980= 35672
|1990= 40023
|2000= 45386
|2010= 52497
|2020= 52736
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 5, 2013|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br />2018 Estimate<ref name="2018 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 8, 2018}}{{dead link|date=June 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Normal city, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Normal city, Illinois |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1753234&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Normal city, Illinois |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1753234&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Normal city, Illinois |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1753234&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|39,121
|43,313
|style='background: #ffffe6; |38,528
|86.20%
|82.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |73.06%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|3,460
|4,201
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,998
|7.62%
|8.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |11.37%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|60
|59
|style='background: #ffffe6; |53
|0.13%
|0.11%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.10%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|996
|1,673
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,306
|2.19%
|3.19%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.37%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|18
|21
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1
|0.04%
|0.04%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|43
|71
|style='background: #ffffe6; |201
|0.09%
|0.14%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.38%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|526
|1,026
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,197
|1.16%
|1.95%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.17%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,162
|2,133
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,452
|2.56%
|4.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.55%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''45,386'''
|'''52,497'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''52,736'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2000 census===
As of the 2000 census,<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> there were 45,386 people, 15,157 households, and 8,184 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|3,332.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 15,683 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,151.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 87.57% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 7.71% [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.15% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 2.21% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.93% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.40% from two or more races. [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.56% of the population.

There were 15,157 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were [[Marriage|married]] couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 17.5% under the age of 18, 38.1% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 13.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $40,379, and the median income for a family was $60,644. Males had a median income of $41,323 versus $27,486 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $17,775. About 5.6% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
The original [[Steak 'n Shake]] restaurant opened in Normal in 1934.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.steaknshake.com/about-us |title=About Us &#124; Steak 'n Shake |publisher=Steaknshake.com |date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=July 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705062646/http://www.steaknshake.com/about-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Mitsubishi Motors North America]] and [[Chrysler Corporation]] established a manufacturing plant under the joint venture [[Diamond-Star Motors]] in 1986. It was Mitsubishi's only North American car manufacturing facility. It was closed May 31, 2016,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.pantagraph.com/business/local/it-s-over-last-of-mitsubishi-workforce-leaves-plant/article_10872a27-1a11-501f-ac9f-62f5dfce2002.html| title = It's over: Last of Mitsubishi workforce leaves plant {{!}} Local Business {{!}} pantagraph.com| date = June 2016| access-date = June 8, 2016| archive-date = April 11, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220411224331/https://pantagraph.com/business/local/it-s-over-last-of-mitsubishi-workforce-leaves-plant/article_10872a27-1a11-501f-ac9f-62f5dfce2002.html| url-status = live}}</ref> and purchased by [[Rivian Automotive]] in January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electrek.co/2017/01/09/rivian-automotive-electric-vehicle-startup-mitsubishi-plant-illinois/|title=An electric vehicle startup comes out of stealth mode and buys shuttered Mitsubishi plant in Illinois|first=Fred|last=Lambert|date=January 9, 2017|work=Electrek|access-date=January 9, 2017|archive-date=January 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110020723/https://electrek.co/2017/01/09/rivian-automotive-electric-vehicle-startup-mitsubishi-plant-illinois/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Farnsworth Group, a national architecture and engineering firm with over 500 employees, announced it will be relocating its headquarters to Uptown Normal in the 5-story, $30M, Trail East Development expected to open in 2020, though as of September 2024 the development had stalled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/normal-s-trail-east-building-percent-booked-before-construction/article_35c62246-b47b-550c-a4d0-6dbaf3a2053f.html|title=Normal's Trail East building 85 percent booked before construction|first=DEREK|last=BEIGH|website=pantagraph.com|date=February 19, 2019 |language=en|access-date=April 23, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423132829/https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/normal-s-trail-east-building-percent-booked-before-construction/article_35c62246-b47b-550c-a4d0-6dbaf3a2053f.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Afni, a national customer service firm, and Illinois State University's Small Business Development Incubator (SBDI) are also expected to move into Trail East.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://week.com/news/bloomington-normal-news/2019/03/18/isu-seeks-to-start-up-new-business-incubator-in-uptown-normal/|title=ISU seeks to start up new business incubator in Uptown Normal|date=March 18, 2019|website=WEEK|language=en-US|access-date=April 23, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423132831/https://week.com/news/bloomington-normal-news/2019/03/18/isu-seeks-to-start-up-new-business-incubator-in-uptown-normal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Rivian]]'s largest U.S. manufacturing plant is in Normal, where it builds all-electric vehicles since 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Optimism returns to Normal as electric truck startup Rivian gains traction |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-normal-rivian-auto-plant-20190215-story.html |access-date=January 12, 2020 |work=chicagotribune.com |archive-date=May 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513065840/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-normal-rivian-auto-plant-20190215-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] has ordered more than 100,000 electric vehicles to be built at the plant.<ref>{{cite news |title=Electric vehicle startup Rivian scores $1.3 billion investment from T.Rowe Price, others |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/23/rivian-scores-1point3-billion-investment-from-trowe-price-others.html |access-date=January 12, 2020 |work=CNBC |date=December 23, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112173053/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/23/rivian-scores-1point3-billion-investment-from-trowe-price-others.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[The New York Times]] has described how the company has had a transformational effect on Normal.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Scheiber |first1=Noam |last2=Townsend |first2=Akilah |date=September 13, 2021 |title=Can a Green-Economy Boom Town Be Built to Last? |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/business/rivian-illinois-electric-vehicles.html |access-date=March 11, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311012542/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/business/rivian-illinois-electric-vehicles.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The town's major retail center is on Veterans Parkway on the east side of town. It includes [[The Shoppes at College Hills]], an outdoor mall on the site of the former College Hills Mall.

==Arts and culture==
[[File:CDM1.jpg|thumb|upright|Children's Discovery Museum, 2008]]
The Children's Discovery Museum in uptown Normal provides hands-on exhibits, classes and programs for children. The museum has three floors of exhibits including a two-story mesh climber for children to climb to the third floor and a {{convert|2000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} agriculture exhibit called AgMazing. The museum also offers education programs and houses the Discover More! Store.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net |title=Children's Discovery Museum |publisher=Childrensdiscoverymuseum.net |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804105409/http://www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010, the Children's Discovery Museum was deemed the best creative children's experience in Illinois by Media World USA's "Best of" Series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialbestof.com/ |title=The Official Best in destinations across the country |publisher=The Official Best Of |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=August 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815112155/http://officialbestof.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Children's Discovery Museum was subsequently featured on a Best of Illinois television program on CBS 2 WBBM Chicago and on the Travel Channel.<ref>http://www.officialbestof.com/state/illinois/2010/videos/CHILDRENS%20MUSEUMFINALWEB.wmv {{dead link|date=July 2012}}</ref>

The Illinois State University Planetarium offers a variety of science and astronomy programs for children from preschool to high-school. The planetarium is located in Felmley Hall of Science on ISU's campus. Public programs are usually offered on weekends and during special events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phy.ilstu.edu/planet.html |title=Illinois State University Planetarium Home Page |publisher=Phy.ilstu.edu |access-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516232255/http://www.phy.ilstu.edu/planet.html |archive-date=May 16, 2008 }}</ref>

The Challenger Learning Center relocated to Heartland Community College in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Steinbacher |first=Michele |url=http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/article_72870844-0f79-11df-aa9d-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Challenger center lifts off at new high-tech home |publisher=Pantagraph.com |date=February 1, 2010 |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=February 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204224217/http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/article_72870844-0f79-11df-aa9d-001cc4c002e0.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Challenger Learning Center promotes leadership, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills while offering an interactive, simulated space and science experience through scheduled team missions for students, public and corporate groups.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.challengerlearningcenter.com/ |title=Normal, Illinois |publisher=Challenger Learning Center |access-date=April 29, 2013 |archive-date=March 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329015933/http://www.challengerlearningcenter.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Normal Public Library first began as a Reading Room sponsored by the Community Council with Margaret Hanna overseeing the collection of three hundred books. In 1938, citizens voted to help support the library through donations. In 1973, the library moved to its current location at 206 W. College Avenue. As of 2018, the library's collection has grown to nearly 200,000 materials.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.normalpl.org/about-us|title=About Us|website=Normal Public Library|date=March 13, 2017|access-date=October 22, 2018|archive-date=June 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606070235/http://www.normalpl.org/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Theatre===
[[File:Normal Theater, Normal, IL.jpg|thumb|[[Normal Theater]]]]

[[Normal Theater]] opened in 1937 and was the first theater in Bloomington-Normal built specifically for sound films. The strong [[art-deco]] design was, at the time, very avant-garde for a small Illinois town. The Normal Theater has been completely restored to its original condition. In addition to showing classic movies and independent films, the theater is used for a variety of activities including group outings, meetings and other events where assembly seating is required.<ref>{{cite web |first=Rachael |last=Mellen |url=http://www.normaltheater.com |title=Normal Theater, IL - Official Website |publisher=Normaltheater.com |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=February 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205221506/http://www.normaltheater.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Braden Auditorium, located inside [[Illinois State University]]'s Bone Student Center, serves as the hub of student life at ISU and a landmark resource to the Bloomington-Normal community. The Auditorium seats 3,457. Eight to ten annual shows feature a variety of [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musicals, pop and country stars, touring variety shows, comedians and big name performers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bsc.ilstu.edu/ |title=Bone Student Center: Illinois State University |publisher=Bsc.ilstu.edu |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=May 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502092718/http://www.bsc.ilstu.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department's "Normal Summer Music Theatre" program celebrated its 40th season in 2011. This program invites students in grades 8–12 to perform in two different productions each summer at the Connie Link Amphitheater.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.normalsummertheatre.com/ |title=Normal Parks and Recreation Summer Music Theatre |publisher=Normalsummertheatre.com |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322100504/http://www.normalsummertheatre.com/ |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Heartland Theatre Company performs a number of plays every season. Heartland's Annual 10-Minute Play Festival attracts playwrights from all over the country and their "New Plays from the Heartland" Midwest One-Act Play Competition allows winning playwrights from eight Midwest states to share their original works with audiences.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heartlandtheatre.org/ |title=Heartland Theatre Company &#124; Think. Feel. Live! |publisher=Heartlandtheatre.org |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307215545/http://www.heartlandtheatre.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts provides the ISU campus and greater Central Illinois community with a wide variety of cultural activities. More than 20,000 people attend annual performances produced by the Illinois State University Schools of Music and Theatre in the center and all performances are open to the public.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfa.ilstu.edu/ |title=College of Fine Arts – Illinois State University |publisher=Cfa.ilstu.edu |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=December 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213165737/http://www.cfa.ilstu.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Prairie Fire Theatre is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in 1998. All events are performed and directed by local talent, drawing from a largely untapped but highly skilled pool of professional artists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prairiefiretheatre.org/ |title=Prairie Fire Theatre |publisher=Prairie Fire Theatre |date=May 8, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210340/http://www.prairiefiretheatre.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Events===
Make Music Normal has coincided with the international Make Music Day in June since 2013. The two-day festival highlights musicians from the Central Illinois area on multiple stages around Uptown. Local artists and vendors complete the festival atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web | title=Make Music Normal on Facebook | website=[[Facebook]] | url=https://www.facebook.com/makemusicnormal/posts/2282235115372820?__tn__=K-R | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411224308/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmakemusicnormal%2Fposts%2F2282235115372820%3F__tn__%3DK-R | archive-date=April 11, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=July 5, 2019 }}</ref>

Established in 1983, the Sugar Creek Arts Festival is held each autumn in Uptown Normal. The combination of high-quality art, live music and food has kept the streets of Normal full of color and activity for over 22 years. The festival has a unique trait- only original pieces of artwork are shown; not copies of prints or items purchased overseas. The Sugar Creek Arts Festival, hosted by the McLean Country Arts Center, is one of the largest art festivals in Central Illinois and continues to grow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcaart.org/mcac/html/sugarcreek.html |title=McLean County Arts Center: Sugar Creek Art Festival |publisher=Mcaart.org |date=July 8, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728141149/http://www.mcaart.org/mcac/html/sugarcreek.html |archive-date=July 28, 2012 }}</ref>

The Sweet Corn Blues Festival is held each August in Uptown Normal and features over 50,000 ears of fresh sweet corn, sidewalk sales, arts, crafts and flea market vendors. The festival also serves as a welcome back for students at Illinois State University.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.normal.org/uptown/cornfest.asp |title= Cornfest - Town of Normal, Illinois|website=www.normal.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927031947/http://www.normal.org/uptown/cornfest.asp |archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref>

Beginning in 1978 with twenty-one performances on the tennis courts of Ewing Manor, the [[Illinois Shakespeare Festival]] has grown to become an internationally recognized company; now putting on thirty-six performances each season in a state-of-the-art, Elizabethan-style theater.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefestival.org/about/history.shtml |title=Illinois Shakespeare Festival &#124; About Us &#124; History |publisher=Thefestival.org |date=July 6, 1978 |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722041612/http://thefestival.org/about/history.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival was named one of the ten best theatre festivals anywhere by author Susan Magsamen in her book, "The 10 Best of Everything Families: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers", published by ''[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloomingtonnormalcvb.org/community-bloomington-normal.cfm |title=Bloomington-Normal Convention And Visitors Bureau – Community – Bloomington-Normal |publisher=Bloomingtonnormalcvb.org |date=May 20, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815145644/http://www.bloomingtonnormalcvb.org/community-bloomington-normal.cfm |archive-date=August 15, 2012 }}</ref>

===Historic sites===
[[File:Normal, IL Post Office mural, "Development of the State Normal School" by Albert Pels.jpg|thumb|The WPA mural "Development of the State Normal School", by Albert Pels, is on display in the Normal Post Office.]]
The [[Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's School]], operated from 1865 until 1979, when it was officially closed. The reasons for closure included a rising high per capita cost of care, the deterioration of many campus buildings, and dwindling numbers of children referred by state agencies. Though several of the original structures have been abandoned and left derelict, others have been converted for a number of uses. These include a seniors community, a commercial pool providing swim lessons, and a community football field.

These three locations are listed in the National Register of Historic Places:
* [[Camelback Bridge]]
* [[John W. Cook Hall]]
* [[Normal Theater]]

In December 2010, a [[U.S. Route 66|Route 66]] Wayside Exhibit was installed at the historic [[Sprague's Super Service]] building in Normal. The exhibit tells the story of Route 66's great significance and impact on the community. Visitors are welcome anytime during daylight hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wjbc.com/new-route-66-wayside-exhibits-unveiled/ |title=New Route 66 wayside exhibits unveiled |publisher=Wjbc.com |date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308143704/http://wjbc.com/new-route-66-wayside-exhibits-unveiled/ |archive-date=March 8, 2012 }}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Normal offers many parks and facilities. As of February 2011, there are 24 parks, facilities and trails operated by the Town of Normal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.normal.org/Gov/ParksAndRec/Facilities/index.asp |title= Parks, Facilities, and Amenities - Town of Normal, Illinois|website=www.normal.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104121735/http://www.normal.org/Gov/ParksAndRec/Facilities/index.asp |archive-date=November 4, 2011}}</ref> Fairview and David S. Anderson parks include swimming pools; Fairview Park includes a skate park for in-line skating and skateboarding; Carden Park includes "Safety Town", a place for pre-school aged children to "drive" tricycles complete with traffic signs; and Maxwell Park has a fenced-in dog park and Champion Fields.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.normal.org/Gov/ParksAndRec/Facilities/ChampionFields.asp |title= Parks and Recreation Department Champion Fields - Town of Normal, Illinois|website=www.normal.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927031943/http://www.normal.org/Gov/ParksAndRec/Facilities/ChampionFields.asp |archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref>

The Bloomington-Normal [[Constitution Trail]] is a {{convert|24|mi|km|adj=on}} trail that operates on dedicated right-of-way through much of the city. The north–south segment of the trail follows the abandoned Illinois Central Gulf railroad from Kerrick Road in Normal to Grove Street in Bloomington. The east–west segment intersects the north segment at Normal City Hall Annex and continues east to Towanda-Barnes Road. The Liberty Branch begins at Commerce Drive and ends at Old Farm Lakes Subdivision. The Freedom Branch begins at Lincoln Street and ends at Route 9 West. The trail is open to walkers, runners, in-line skaters, skateboarders, cyclists, wheelchair users, and other non-motorized forms of transportation. During winter months, it is not cleared of snow, and is available to skiers; weather permitting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityblm.org/parks/Parks-Facilities/Constitution-Trail.htm |title=Bloomington Parks & Recreation - Constitution Trail |access-date=April 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214224820/http://cityblm.org/parks/Parks-Facilities/Constitution-Trail.htm |archive-date=December 14, 2010 }}</ref>

The Ecology Action Center is a walk-in information and environmental education center for individuals, classes, workshops, and meetings. Opened in 1995, it provides the community with practical workshops on recycling, composting and energy saving, nature walks and educational field trips for schools and groups. Various publications and materials are available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecologyactioncenter.org |title=Ecology Action Center |publisher=Ecology Action Center |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615072855/http://www.ecologyactioncenter.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sports==
===Golf===
In 2005, ''[[Golf Digest]]'' ranked Bloomington-Normal as the Fifth Best American City for Golf in their "Best in America" Metro Golf Rankings. ''Golf Digest'' ranked America's largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas on four different criteria: access to golf, weather, value of golf, and quality of golf.<ref>[http://www.golfdigest.com/images/rankings/gd200508metrogolfrankings.pdf How They Rank] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322030644/http://www.golfdigest.com/images/rankings/gd200508metrogolfrankings.pdf |date=March 22, 2012 }}. Golfdigest.com. Accessed April 29, 2013.</ref>
* Ironwood Golf Course: 6,960 yards, Par 72, 18 holes. Ironwood Golf Course, owned and operated by the Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department, is a championship course that includes four water hazards and four sets of tees that range from 5,580 to 6,960 yards. Ironwood's attributes, which include a grass tee driving range, large practice putting greens, a practice bunker, banquet room, pro shop, carts and individual or group lessons, offer a challenging test to players of all abilities. The 18-hole course, which opened in 1990, has hosted high school regional, sectional and conference championship tournaments and numerous collegiate tournaments; as well as state amateur qualification tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.golfironwood.org/ |title=Ironwood Golf Course, IL - Official Website |publisher=Golfironwood.org |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324032634/http://www.golfironwood.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ironwood also hosts the COUNTRY Youth Classic each summer.<ref name="countryyouthclassic.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.countryyouthclassic.com/golfcoursenav.htm |title=Country Youth Classic |publisher=Country Youth Classic |access-date=August 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016171844/http://www.countryyouthclassic.com/golfcoursenav.htm |archive-date=October 16, 2015 }}</ref>
* Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University: 6,730 yards, Par 71, 18 holes. Weibring Golf Club, formerly known as University Golf Course, is located near the northwest corner of the [[Illinois State University]] campus. The course was designed by golf course architect Robert Bruce Harris and opened for play in 1964. Re-designed in 2000, the course features bent grass greens, tees and fairways, continuous cart paths from tee to green, strategically placed bunkers and a variety of tees for every skill level. Weibring Golf Course has hosted IHSA Regional, Sectional and State Championships, NCAA Regional Championships and Intercollegiate Tournaments as well as annually hosting the COUNTRY Youth Classic.<ref name="countryyouthclassic.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isugolf.com/golf/proto/isugolf/ |title=Normal, Illinois – Weibring Golf Club – Illinois State University |publisher=Isugolf.com |access-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818233109/http://www.isugolf.com/golf/proto/isugolf/ |archive-date=August 18, 2012 }}</ref>
* Golf Learning Center: Located at All Seasons, the Golf Learning Center is a synthetic turf facility, named one of the top 100 American golf ranges by ''Golf Range Magazine''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allseasonsglc.com/ |title=Golf Learning Center Home |publisher=Allseasonsglc.com |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614135049/http://www.allseasonsglc.com/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

===Facilities===
[[File:Redbird Arena, Illinois State University.jpg|thumb|upright|[[CEFCU Arena]] at Illinois State University]]
[[CEFCU Arena]], formerly known as Redbird Arena is a 10,200-seat sports arena at Illinois State University. The arena is the home to the [[Illinois State Redbirds]] men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams. In addition, the arena also hosts the Illinois High School Association Girls Volleyball State Finals, Illinois High School Association Girls Basketball State Finals, Gamma Phi Circus, concerts, tournaments, conferences, job fairs, and other events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ihsa.org/activity/vbg/index.htm |title=Girls Volleyball &#124; IHSA Sports & Activities |publisher=Ihsa.org |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=May 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527203917/http://www.ihsa.org/activity/vbg/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ihsa.org/activity/bkg/index.htm |title=Girls Basketball &#124; IHSA Sports & Activities |publisher=Ihsa.org |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=July 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110729143130/http://www.ihsa.org/activity/bkg/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Champion Fields at Maxwell Park has a [[seating capacity]] of 2,300 and 10 lighted softball fields. The fields are divided into three areas, each equipped with a concessions stand, restrooms, and seating for spectators. Champion Fields has played host to state, national and world softball events since 1996 including the NJCAA Division II Softball National Championship, Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Girls’ 18-Under Fastpitch National Tournament, and the State Farm Illinois Collegiate Softball Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://softball.normal.org/ChampionFields.asp |title=Champion Fields |publisher=Softball.normal.org |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322100149/http://softball.normal.org/ChampionFields.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[The Corn Crib]] is a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 7,000 patrons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.normalbaseball.com/stadium/renderings/ |title=Normal CornBelters |publisher=Normalbaseball.com |access-date=July 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222204708/http://www.normalbaseball.com/stadium/renderings/ |archive-date=February 22, 2012 }}</ref> The Corn Crib is home to the Normal CornBelters baseball team of the Prospect League and has been selected to host the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Boys Soccer State Finals through 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ihsa.org/announce/2010-11/2011-02-07.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=April 6, 2011 |archive-date=September 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902034932/http://www.ihsa.org/announce/2010-11/2011-02-07.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Hancock Stadium]] is a 13,391-seat multi-purpose stadium at Illinois State University. The stadium is home to the [[Illinois State Redbirds football]] team, while also playing host to several annual events such as the State of Illinois Invitational High School Marching Band Championship and the Special Olympics State Summer Games. The newly renovated stadium includes 7 luxury boxes and 500 club seats, all of which provide access to the 5,500 square foot Hancock Stadium Club, which plays host to a variety of events outside football games, including receptions, banquets, weddings, and private events. The stadium is also highlighted by the addition of a 26&nbsp;ft x 47&nbsp;ft [[Daktronics]] 15HD LED Video Display in the north endzone.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goredbirds.com/facilities/hancock-stadium.html |title=Hancock Stadium |publisher=goredbirds.com |access-date=May 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210154056/http://www.goredbirds.com/facilities/hancock-stadium.html |archive-date=February 10, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goredbirds.com/hancockstadiumclub/hsc-rental-info.html |title=Hancock Stadium Club |publisher=goredbirds.com |access-date=May 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428004624/http://www.goredbirds.com/hancockstadiumclub/hsc-rental-info.html |archive-date=April 28, 2014 }}</ref>

===Teams===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Club
! scope="col" | League
! scope="col" | Sport
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" | Established
! scope="col" | Championships
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Normal CornBelters]]
| [[Prospect League]]
| [[Baseball]]
| [[The Corn Crib]]
| 2009
| &nbsp;
|}

* [[Illinois State Redbirds]] - Illinois State University Sports Teams
* [[Heartland Community College|Heartland Hawks]] - Heartland CC Sports teams
* Twin City Storm - minor league football team @ [[Hancock Stadium]] of the [[Midwest Football League (1935–1940)|MFL]] and MLFA

==Education==
[[File:View of the Illinois State University quad and College Avenue from the sixth floor of Milner Library.jpg|thumb|View of the [[Illinois State University]] quad and College Avenue]]

===Primary and secondary===
The Town of Normal is in the [[McLean County Unit District No. 5]], which includes [[Normal Community High School]], [[Normal Community West High School]], and [[Kingsley Junior High School]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.unit5.org/ |title=unit5.org |access-date=March 12, 2007 |archive-date=April 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070406002626/http://www.unit5.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two schools in Normal are operated by Illinois State University: [[University High School (Normal)|University High School]] and Thomas Metcalf Elementary.

Private schools include Cornerstone Christian Academy, Epiphany Catholic School, and Calvary Christian Academy.

===Colleges and universities===
Normal is also home to two centers of higher learning.

[[Illinois State University]], founded in 1857, was the first public university in the state, and is one of the Midwest's oldest institutions of higher education. It is a co-educational, residential university with an emphasis on the undergraduate program, offering more than 160 fields of undergraduate study. The Graduate School coordinates 38 masters, two specialist and seven doctoral programs. The {{convert|350|acre|km2|adj=on}} campus includes over 60 major buildings with state-of-the-art technology. [[Watterson Towers]] is one of the tallest dorm buildings in the world. From meeting facilities to cultural opportunities through the arts and excitement of numerous sporting events each year, ISU is a vital part of the Bloomington-Normal community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilstu.edu |title=Illinois State |publisher=Ilstu.edu |date=May 21, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=June 10, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060610113726/http://www.ilstu.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Heartland Community College]] has more than 4,800 students, and is the youngest community college in Illinois. Heartland Community College offers training in more than 40 career fields in innovative and technologically progressive leaning facilities. Classrooms and labs combine the latest advances in technology with the type of personal, hands-on instruction students need to reach their academic goals. The HCC Campus features a library, community meeting spaces, a pond, bookstore, café and numerous locations for students to study or work on school projects. Recently, Heartland completed a new Corporate Education Center and founded an athletic program that includes baseball, softball and men's and women's soccer teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heartland.edu |title=Heartland Community College |publisher=Heartland.edu |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721005902/http://www.heartland.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Weekend education===
Bloomington/Normal Japanese Saturday School (ブルーミントン・ノーマル補習授業校 ''Burūminton Nōmaru Hoshū Jugyō Kō''), a [[Hoshuko|Japanese weekend school]], was established in 1986 and held at the Thomas Metcalf School.<ref>[http://www.bnhoshuko.org/index.html Home page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205093506/http://bnhoshuko.org/index.html |date=February 5, 2015 }}. Bloomington/Normal Japanese Saturday School. Retrieved on March 31, 2015. "The facility of Metcalf Laboratory School that we have been using since 1986 allows us to enjoy full use of class rooms as well as gym and outdoor playground."</ref> It has a separate office in Normal.<ref>"[http://www.bnhoshuko.org/about-us.html ~ 学校の概要 ~] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205145702/http://bnhoshuko.org/about-us.html |date=2015-02-05 }}." Bloomington/Normal Japanese Saturday School. Retrieved on March 31, 2015. "郵便送付先： 1413 Heritage Road West, Normal, IL 61761"</ref>

==Police==
The Normal Police Department consists of 81 sworn officers and 26 civilian staff. The Chief of Police is Stephen A. Petrilli Jr. The department is nationally accredited by the Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

The department provides 24-hour town-wide coverage. In addition to deploying officers in patrol cars, the department also deploys officers on bike patrols and has been doing so since the 1980s. The department also has a full-time Criminal Investigation Division and two full-service canines.

==Media==

===Print===
* ''[[The Pantagraph]]'', local newspaper – daily 
* ''Normalite'' newspaper — weekly
* ''[[The Vidette]]'', ISU student newspaper − semiweekly

===FM radio===
* 88.1 [[WESN]], [[Illinois Wesleyan University]] College radio
* 89.1 [[WGLT]], [[Illinois State University]] [[Public Radio/NPR]]
* 91.5 [[WCIC]], [[Contemporary Christian music|Christian AC]] (RDS)
* 93.7 [[WJBC-FM]], [[Nash FM#Nash Icons|Nash FM/Nash Icons]] (RDS)
* 94.9 [[WXRJ-LP]], [[Community radio]]
* 96.7 [[WIHN]] "96.7 I-Rock", [[Hard rock|Active rock]] (RDS)
* 97.9 [[WBBE]] "97.9 Bob FM", [[Adult hits]] (RDS)
* 98.9 W255AI (Translates 91.5 [[WCIC]]), [[Contemporary Christian music|Christian AC]] (RDS)
* 99.5 [[WZIM]] "Magic 99.5", [[Adult contemporary music|AC]] (RDS)
* 100.1 [[W261BK]] (Translates 88.5 [[WBNH (FM)|WBNH]]), Religious Music
* 100.7 [[WWHX]] "Hits 100.7", [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR]] (RDS)
* 101.5 [[WBNQ]], [[Top 40 (radio format)|CHR/Pop]] (RDS – Artist/Title)
* 103.3 [[WZND-LP]] "Fuzed Radio", Illinois State University student radio station [[Top 40]] (Also simulcast on cable channel 4 available in student dorm rooms) (RDS)
* 104.1 [[WBWN]] "B 104", [[Country music|Country]] (RDS – Artist/Title)
* 107.7 [[WIBL]] "The Bull 107.7", [[Country music|Country]] (RDS)

===AM radio===
* 1230 [[WJBC (AM)|WJBC]], [[Talk radio|News/Talk]]

==Transportation==
[[File:Transportation Center (Bloomington-Normal, IL) 2.JPG|thumb|The Bloomington-Normal Transportation Center]]
Normal is served by [[Interstate 39|I-39]], [[Interstate 55 in Illinois|I-55]], [[Interstate 74 in Illinois|Interstate 74]], one [[railroad]] line, the [[Central Illinois Regional Airport]] (BMI) in neighboring [[Bloomington, Illinois|Bloomington]], and [[Connect Transit]] provides public bus service in the area.

===Highways===
{{col-begin| width=80%}}
{{col-break|width=33%}}
'''Interstate Highways'''<br />
[[File:I-39.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 39]]<br />
[[File:I-55.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 55 in Illinois|Interstate 55]]<br />
[[File:I-74.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 74 in Illinois|Interstate 74]]<br />
{{col-break|width=33%}}
'''US Highways'''<br />
[[File:US 51.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 51 in Illinois#Illinois|US 51]]<br />
[[File:US 150.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 150|US 150]]<br />{{col-break|width=33%}}
'''Illinois Highways'''<br />
[[File:Illinois 9.svg|25px]] [[Illinois Route 9|Route 9]]<br />
{{col-end}}

[[Interstate 55]] wraps around the north and northwest edge of the town. [[Interstate 74]] shares the I-55 roadway on the western edge of Normal before splitting off toward the northwest. Normal is the southern terminus of [[Interstate 39]]. Historic [[U.S. Route 66|Route 66]] runs through the town.

===Airport===
The [[Central Illinois Regional Airport]] is on Route 9 in Bloomington, approximately {{Convert|5|mi|km|0|spell=in}} east-southeast from Uptown Normal. The airport is served by four airlines, five rental car agencies, and has direct daily flights to [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]], [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago]], and [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas-Ft. Worth]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cira.com |title=Central Illinois Regional Airport |publisher=CIRA |access-date=July 17, 2012 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224215347/https://cira.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A record 559,481 passengers flew to or from CIRA in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cira.com/press/2010%20Passenger%20Traffic.htm |title=CIRA Press Release |publisher=Cira.com |date=January 14, 2011 |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320213839/http://www.cira.com/press/2010%20Passenger%20Traffic.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Mass transit===
[[Connect Transit]] has 13 color-coded fixed routes in the area; a lift-assisted paratransit service called NiteRide, which operates when Illinois State University is in session; and a campus shuttle for ISU called Redbird Express.

===Rail===
The [[Bloomington-Normal (Amtrak station)|Bloomington-Normal Amtrak station]] is in Normal at 11 Uptown Circle. It was designed by RATIO Architects. The station is served daily by four ''[[Lincoln Service]]'' trains in each direction between [[Chicago Union Station|Chicago]] and [[Gateway Transportation Center|St. Louis]], and one ''[[Texas Eagle]]'' in each direction between [[San Antonio station (Texas)|San Antonio]] and Chicago. Three days a week, the ''Eagle'' continues on to [[Union Station (Los Angeles)|Los Angeles]]. The station also serves connecting bus service to [[Peoria, Illinois|Peoria]] and [[Amtrak]] stations in [[Galesburg, Illinois|Galesburg]] and [[Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area|Champaign-Urbana]]. It is Illinois' third-busiest Amtrak station after Chicago and Champaign-Urbana's [[Illinois Terminal]], servicing about 92,000 passengers in fiscal year 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/statefactsheets/ILLINOIS21.pdf |title=Amtrak Fact Sheet Fiscal Year 2021 State of Illinois |access-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514114248/https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/statefactsheets/ILLINOIS21.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Traveling to Bloomington-Normal by Amtrak is a two-and-a-half-hour ride from St. Louis and Chicago.

==Notable people==
{{div col|colwidth=}}
* [[Andrew Bacevich]], historian and author; born in Normal
* [[Edna Dean Baker]], educator and college president; born in Normal
*[[Keita Bates-Diop]], 48th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft
* [[Wally Bishop]], cartoonist; born in Normal
* [[Jon Bowermaster]], oceans expert, journalist, filmmaker and adventurer; born in Normal
* [[Eleanor Coen]], artist; born in Normal
* [[Ellen Crawford]], actress; born in Normal
* [[Jim Crews]], basketball coach at [[Saint Louis University]]
* [[Pop Dillon]], first baseman for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], [[Detroit Tigers]], [[Baltimore Orioles (1901–1902)|Baltimore Orioles]] and [[Brooklyn Superbas]]; born in Normal
* [[Robert B. Duncan]], US congressman from [[Oregon]]
* [[Colton Dunn]], comedian, actor, and writer, notable for his work on ''[[Key & Peele]]''
* [[Kevin Eggan]], professor of [[molecular biology]] at [[Harvard University]]; born in Normal
* [[Robert S. Ellwood]], expert on world religions; born in Normal
* [[Carrie Etter]], poet; residing in the UK since 2001
* [[Jeff Fowler]], director
* [[Richard Godfrey (politician)|Richard Godfrey]], mayor of Normal (1976–1985)
* [[Jesse Hibbs]], film director and college football star; born in Normal
* [[Richard Hovey]], poet; born in Normal
* [[Michael Jantze]], comic book author; raised in Normal
* [[Pokey LaFarge]], American roots & blues musician & singer, spent teenage years in Normal
* [[Ryan Martinie]], bassist; raised in Normal
* [[Ralph Eugene Meatyard]], photographer; born in Normal
* [[Ogonna Nnamani]], member of the US Olympic volleyball team; born in Normal
* [[Andrew Osenga]], musician and songwriter
* [[Awadagin Pratt]], musician; raised in Normal
* [[Gordon Ropp]], Illinois state representative and farmer; born in Normal
* [[Roger Sedarat]], poet; born in Normal
* [[Duke Slater]], college and professional football player (enshrined in both Halls of Fame)
* [[McLean Stevenson]], actor; born in Normal
* [[Brock Stewart]], pitcher for [[Toronto Blue Jays]]; born in Normal
* [[Robert C. Underwood]], Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court; lived in Normal
* [[David Foster Wallace]], award-winning author, professor at [[Illinois State University]] in Normal (1993–2002)
{{div col end}}

==In popular culture==
* The chorus of "I Got High" by [[Clem Snide]] (''[[The Meat of Life]]'', 429 Records) includes the lyrics:
::"''I got high with a Sufjan Stevens fan in Normal, Illinois''
::''And this song goes out to all you beautiful''
::''American girls and boys''"<ref name="Clem">{{cite web | url=http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/22/qa-with-clem-snides-eef-barzelay/ | title=Q&A WITH CLEM SNIDE'S EEF BARZELAY | work=Magnet Magazine | date=February 22, 2010 | access-date=March 21, 2015 | author=Fritch, Matthew | archive-date=March 20, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320220923/http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/02/22/qa-with-clem-snides-eef-barzelay/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
* "Normal" by [[Big Country]] (Restless Natives & Rarities, 1998)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bigcountryinfo.com/pages/originals/normal.htm |title=Normal |publisher=Bigcountryinfo.com |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528135616/http://www.bigcountryinfo.com/pages/originals/normal.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''[[Way to Normal]]'' by Ben Folds (2008)
* "[[Normal, IL]]" by ''Camp Trash (2024)''

==Sister cities==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bloomington, Illinois]]<ref>[http://www.normal.org/index.aspx?nid=383 Normal, Illinois website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314051452/http://normal.org/index.aspx?nid=383 |date=March 14, 2016 }}, Sister City Partnership</ref>
* {{flagicon|JAP}} [[Asahikawa, Hokkaido|Asahikawa]], [[Hokkaido]], Japan
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Vladimir, Russia]]<ref name="ReferenceA"><!--[[Vladimir-Canterbury Sister City Association]]--></ref>
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Canterbury]], [[Kent]], United Kingdom<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
* {{flagicon|ISR}} [[Upper Nazareth|Upper Nazareth, Israel]]<ref name="ReferenceB"><!--[[Article on Nazareth and Ramallah Sister Cities of Bloomington-Normal]]--></ref>
* {{flagicon|ISR}} [[Nazareth]], Israel<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
* {{flagicon|Palestine}} [[Ramallah]], [[Palestine]]<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
* {{flagicon|CUB}} [[Caibarién]], Cuba<!-- <ref>[[Sister Cities International Directory: Caibarien, Cuba]]</ref> -->
* {{flagicon|CUB}} [[Remedios, Cuba]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Remedios,%20Cuba |title=Sister Cities International Directory: Remedios, Cuba |publisher=Sister-cities.org |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402090409/http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Remedios,%20Cuba |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Milton Keynes]], [[United Kingdom]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Normal, Illinois}}
{{Wikivoyage|Bloomington-Normal}}
* [http://www.normal.org Town of Normal] Official website 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181009232129/http://www.bloomingtonnormalcvb.org/ The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau] Official source of visitor information for the Bloomington-Normal area
*[http://www.pantagraph.com/special-section/news/history-and-events/pfop-normal-once-center-for-commercial-tomato-corn-canning/article_8f7c423c-1896-11e3-b014-0019bb2963f4.html Normal once center for commercial tomato, corn canning - Pantagraph] (Bloomington, Illinois newspaper)

{{McLean County, Illinois}}
{{Illinois}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Normal, Illinois|*]]
[[Category:Bloomington–Normal|*]]
[[Category:1867 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1867]]
[[Category:Towns in McLean County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Towns in Illinois]]