Comprehensive Exam Reading Lists
Language Skills in the Workforce
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Bloomington-Normal in Central Illinois, home to Illinois State University, is a thriving community. Uptown Normal, immediately adjacent to campus, features restaurants, pubs, cafés with free Wi-Fi, shops and boutiques, the Amtrak train station, and a beautiful Children's Discovery Museum. There is ample parking, and for those who enjoy bike-riding and jogging, the multi-purpose Constitution Trail may be accessed nearby. Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis provide great weekend getaways. For more information check the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
City of Bloomington website
Information about the city, calendar, city council, directory, etc.
Downtown Bloomington
Website of the Downtown Bloomington Association; find out how you can "Shop, Dine, Work, Play, Live, and Do Business in Downtown Bloomington."
Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
Find out about the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts' upcoming events, box office information, and the Bloomington Cultural District.
U.S. Cellular Coliseum
Home to the Prairie Thunder hockey team, Bloomington Extreme Arena Football team, and a multitude of music and entertainment events.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
An annual summer festival produced and acted by theatre professionals and interns. Find out about their current season and buy tickets here.
Miller Park Zoo
Open everyday except Thanksgiving and Christmas, Miller Park is an affordable and fun day out.
Prairie Aviation Museum
Celebrating over 100 years of flight, the Prairie Aviation Museum also features a Challenger Learning Center.
Town of Normal
Official website of Normal, IL. Information for residents includes parks and rec, library, housing, public safety, community links, and more.
Uptown Normal
Normal's traditional yet modernizing business district. Find information on where to eat, shop, play, and more, and information on the changing structure and redevelopment of the area.
Normal Theater
A fully restored Art Deco movie theater built in 1937. Refurbished, the Theater shows independent and classic films and showcases.
Parks, Facilities and Trails
Information on the many parks and facilities within Normal.
Constitution Trail
24+ mile hard surfaced trail running through the Twin Cities that has been developed for walking, hiking, jogging, biking and cross country skiing. Maps and information available here.
Special Events
Normal sponsors many seasonal events, from the Trailside Farmers' Market to the Sweetcorn Blues Festival. Find dates and information for these events here.
Public Transport
Buses are available for both students and the public. Public transit is provided through the Bloomington-Normal Transit System.
On campus 3 Redbird Ride Transportation Programs are available to students:
Transportation to Other Cities
The town of Normal offers Amtrak service to Chicago, St. Louis, and other cities. In addition, the Peoria Charter bus company offers daily service to O-Hare and Midway as well as Peoria. The town also offers an airport – the Central Illinois Regional Airport.