April 1 isn’t just a day for pranks and jokes; it’s also a day to consider your local political candidates.
Following the primary election in Nov. 2024, the local municipal election season in Bloomington/Normal has begun.
Up for election this cycle are Bloomington and Normal mayors, city council members, school board members, and township leaders.
Up for re-election is Mayor Chris Koos for the Town of Normal and Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe for Bloomington.
City Council members, Kathleen Lorenz and Chemberly Harris, are also running for mayor of Normal this election cycle. 
Bloomington council member Cody Hendricks is running for mayor of Bloomington alongside long-term government official, Dan Brady.
One issue on the ballot will be a sales tax referendum from Unit 5 and District 87 for future school maintenance and improvement.
They will propose a 1% sales tax increase to voters. The districts hope the tax dollars will assist in funding school facility repairs, renovations, etc…
In Bloomington, the election authority is the Bloomington Election Commission.
If you live in Normal or rural Mclean County, the Mclean County clerk is responsible for your election needs.
Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 20. This is the date which mail-in ballots will be sent to voters who request one through the Mclean County Elections page.
There will be two polling places in each respective city on election day, and they will each be open 6 a.m – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1, The ISU Bone Student Center will be open in Normal, and the Government Center in Bloomington.
At Normal West High School, students ready to vote can get registered with the help of Mr. Anthony Berardi.
“Once they realize it’s not that hard to get registered to vote and they actually go through the process of doing it, then I hope that it might make them become lifelong voters,” Berardi notes.
If you are interested in learning about how the different systems of local government work together, consider applying for the Town of Normal’s eight-week long class titled All About Normal, where a local official walks you through each department of Normal’s government.
It’s never too early or too late to get informed and educated on local politics.
Be informed and educated as the local election season takes shape this Spring.
