From the WGLT newsroom, I'm John Norton. The town of Normal has banned any new short-term rentals such as Airbnbs and single family neighborhoods. Assistant city manager Brian Day says historically, Normal doesn't allow commercial businesses in residential areas. For some reason, short term rentals gets a pass. They get to operate a hotel room where nobody else gets to operate a business.

From the WGLT newsroom, I'm John Norton. The town of Normal has banned any new short-term rentals such as Airbnbs and single family neighborhoods. Assistant city manager Brian Day says historically, Normal doesn't allow commercial businesses in residential areas. For some reason, short term rentals gets a pass. They get to operate a hotel room where nobody else gets to operate a business.

And so we've got to look at why the town council voted 5 to 2 in favor of the ordinance. Kathleen Lorenz and Scott Preston voted no. Owner occupied rentals would be exempt.

And so we've got to look at why the town council voted 5 to 2 in favor of the ordinance. Kathleen Lorenz and Scott Preston voted no. Owner occupied rentals would be exempt.

A proposed housing rehabilitation program in Bloomington would work to address vacant and derelict homes throughout the city. That's over the next 5 to 6 years. Community impact and enhancement director Cordell Patrick says the program would employ multiple strategies depending on each property situation.

A proposed housing rehabilitation program in Bloomington would work to address vacant and derelict homes throughout the city. That's over the next 5 to 6 years. Community impact and enhancement director Cordell Patrick says the program would employ multiple strategies depending on each property situation.

Can the property be rehabbed? Yes or no, right? Do we need to acquire a property uh for redevelopment? Do we need to demolish the property because, uh, it can't be rehabbed.

Can the property be rehabbed? Yes or no, right? Do we need to acquire a property uh for redevelopment? Do we need to demolish the property because, uh, it can't be rehabbed.

Uh, does the property need to be enrolled in our neighborhood preservation

Uh, does the property need to be enrolled in our neighborhood preservation

program?

program?

Patrick estimates the city has up to 400 properties that would be targeted by the program. He says the program would require a partnership pipeline that includes housing organizations, neighborhood groups, and development corporations.

Patrick estimates the city has up to 400 properties that would be targeted by the program. He says the program would require a partnership pipeline that includes housing organizations, neighborhood groups, and development corporations.

And early studies have begun on the potential for 220 mile an hour service through central Illinois. 110 mile an hour passenger rail service started between Chicago and Saint Louis just two years ago. That was after decades of effort. Former US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says transformational projects take vision, planning, collaboration, and persistence. Big projects get done when uh smart people, uh, put their minds together.

And early studies have begun on the potential for 220 mile an hour service through central Illinois. 110 mile an hour passenger rail service started between Chicago and Saint Louis just two years ago. That was after decades of effort. Former US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says transformational projects take vision, planning, collaboration, and persistence. Big projects get done when uh smart people, uh, put their minds together.

Agree on the plan and then begin to implement it. In the case of 110 mile an hour service, it took state investment, a big pile of federal infrastructure dollars and buy-in from businesses, cities, and universities. It will take at least that to get true high speed rail. I'm John Norton, WGLT News.

Agree on the plan and then begin to implement it. In the case of 110 mile an hour service, it took state investment, a big pile of federal infrastructure dollars and buy-in from businesses, cities, and universities. It will take at least that to get true high speed rail. I'm John Norton, WGLT News.