Important Historical Markers

Protected Class

The Normal Town Council adopted sexual orientation as a protected class by approving the amendment to its Human Relations Code on October 1, 2001. The Human Relations Code now protects “the act or perceived status of heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality” in employment, housing, public accommodation and financing.

Since June 2003, it has been considered disorderly conduct when a person knowingly burns a cross with the intent to intimidate another person within the corporate limits of Normal. “Intimidate” means threaten death or bodily harm or place a person in reasonable apprehension of death or bodily harm.

Adopted Resolution

On May 18, 2004, the Normal Human Relations Commission adopted the following resolution opposing the PATRIOT Act: Resolution in Opposition to Terrorism and Threats to Fundamental Rights and Liberties Emanating from the USA Patriot Act, Proposals to Extend Portions of the Act and Adopt the Domestic Security Enhancement Act (Patriot II), and Certain Executive Orders and Other Federal Actions, and Affirmation of Civil and Human Liberties. The resolution included statements in opposition to various elements of the PATRIOT Acts and that infringe on personal liberty and honors those lost during the 9/11 attacks by standing up for liberty.

"So I say to you, my friends, that...I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed--we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

"I have a dream my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character..."

"This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning ‘my country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

"And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true."

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.