Housing, taxes and the desire for fresh leadership took center stage at Tuesday’s Normal mayoral forum at the Bone Student Center. Candidates for Normal mayor, including the incumbent Chris Koos and Council Members Chemberly Harris and Kathleen Lorenz, first addressed the housing crisis that has plagued the community in recent years. Koos said the issue is common across the country, compounded by the cost of materials, labor and high cost of financing. “It’s going to take some time, this is not an easy issue to solve. Anyone who thinks there’s a quick solution doesn’t understand the problem. It’s very, very much a structural problem,” Koos said. While Koos concentrated on the broader national level, Lorenz pushed for local leadership to address the crisis. Lorenz has been involved with housing commissions and committees over the last five years and argued she had the “most qualifications” on the topic. “As [Normal’s] next mayor, I want to take bold action in coordination with our leadership in Bloomington, because it’s not a Bloomington issue, it’s not a Normal issue, it’s together a Twin City issue,” Lorenz said. “We’ve got to make it crystal clear to developers what the rules of the road are,” Lorenz continued. Harris hopes residents understand that the local government does understand the urgency of the crisis and is doing everything possible with the current resources available. “We do need to do a better job of communicating some of the things that we are doing so that our citizens are aware that this is not falling on deaf ears, and we are doing as much as we can at this particular time with what’s available to us,” Harris said. With prices rising throughout the community, candidates were pressed on the proposed 1% school sales tax on the ballot. The tax is expected to support McLean County schools and will reduce property taxes for at least five years if approved. Harris said she was undecided on how she will vote on the tax, but acknowledged, “this is a desperate time for our schools.” “A part of me wishes there were conversations before [this proposal] was put together, but we’re here, and so how do we move forward, how do we continue to support our education?” Harris said. Lorenz and Koos opted to keep their votes private for now. The Normal mayor admitted he is not “completely clear on the issue” and wanted to leave it up to the community to decide. Later in the forum, the candidates discussed the controversial usage of electric scooters and e-bikes. Koos stated that the Town of Normal has not formally banned the two-wheeled vehicles, “contrary to a popular rumor going around.” “My personal position on e-scooters—because I’m in the industry with things that have wheels—they can be dangerous, and sometimes dangerous to the people that are nearby [the riders],” Koos said. During closing remarks, Koos shrugged off any suggestions that new leadership is required. Koos, who has served as Normal’s mayor since February 2003, defended his tenure by citing the risk of “losing the steady hand” that has guided the town. “I’m the only candidate that has weathered storms like this. I’m the only candidate who has led during Donald Trump’s administration,” Koos said. “I’m the only candidate with the experience through these tough times because I’ve done it before, and I’m willing to do it again.” Lorenz thanked Koos for his 22 years of service but stressed the need for a new voice to lead Normal forward. “My platform is, it is time for new leadership and fresh perspective,” Lorenz said. “Serving with [Koos] for 10 of [his] 22 years, we can [still] be proud of the things we have accomplished.” Bloomington mayoral candidates tackle housing, homelessness at forum The housing and homeless crisis similarly dominated the discussion during the Bloomington portion of the mayoral forums. Participating candidates vying for mayor included incumbent Mboka Mwilambwe, Council Member Cody Hendricks and former state legislator Dan Brady. Mwilambwe said the city council has encouraged higher density housing through the exploration of an incentive package for developers and the revision of strict zoning procedures. “We definitely need to do something, we need to push forward really hard because [housing] is a problem in our community,” Mwilambwe said. Brady acknowledged that around 4,000 new homes are needed in the community, which must be affordable for all residents. However, he said zoning issues and red tape have slowed developments. “I sat through a committee hearing last month where [the proposal] was kicked over for another month just to be brought into code,” Brady said. “Those little things can cause great delays in your ability and your development.” Meanwhile, Hendricks criticized the city’s “slow approach” to tackling the housing issue. “This is a crisis and we need to treat it as a crisis. I think we need to be taking much quicker action,” Hendricks said. Hendricks proposed rehabilitating and repurposing existing buildings, an idea that resonated with his opponents, who echoed his sentiment about the housing crisis. All three candidates issued their support of a proposed shelter village that Home Sweet Home Ministries wants to build near its shelter on Oakland Avenue. Brady said the proposal is the “most immediate solution” to address the city’s homeless population, which does not call for city funding at this time. “From what I understand, the private side of this fundraising and what have you has certainly more benefits than anything else I’m seeing right now,” Brady said. Hendricks applauded Home Sweet Home Ministries’ shelter proposal and said he liked it because of the limited government involvement it would require. “It’s private property and does not have to have the city interact with it, where I’m fearful the government may slow any attempts at progress,” Hendricks said. Hendricks and Mwilambwe both voiced their support for the proposed county-wide school sales tax. Mwilambwe felt Bloomington residents would “strongly benefit from having a strong school system.” “If we do not [have a strong school system], then I don’t think we’re able to attract some of the larger companies we’ve been able to attract like Rivian and Ferrero,” Mwilambwe said. Brady said he was still researching how the sales tax would benefit the city and was not yet ready to take a position. Early voting is underway in McLean County, with Election Day set for Tuesday, April 1.