LINCOLN - If writer and film producer Patrick Jennings gets his way, things in Lincoln will be "Normal Again" this summer.

Jennings is asking permission from Logan County officials to shoot a film in the Logan County Courthouse. Jennings, a Bloomington native who now lives in Los Angeles, has discussed the project with Logan County Circuit Judge David Coogan and State's Attorney Tim Huyett.

Jennings' new film is tentatively titled "Normal Again, A True Crime." If approved, he would use the Logan County's third-floor courtroom because it is one of the biggest in Illinois.

Also to be featured in the film would be the town square surrounding the courthouse.

"It's a legal drama," Jennings said. "It's a father-son redemption story wrapped around an old murder case in a small town in Illinois. We have been scouting locations in the Midwest for about a year, and an old courthouse is essential to the story."

The script is loosely based on a real murder trial in Indiana he covered as a reporter for the Indianapolis Star.

Jennings, who also has met with the County Board's building and grounds committee, said Lincoln is the ideal place to film the independent feature because of its historical architecture.

"We like everything about the building, and the town square is exactly what we need to make the movie here," he said.

Those that have signed on for the production include actors Patrick Bergin ("Mountains of the Moon," "Sleeping with the Enemy"), Ty Burrell ("Black Hawk Down," "Dawn of the Dead") and Peter Jason ("Seabiscuit," "The Hunt for Red October").

While the county will not be reimbursed for the usage of the facility, Lincoln and Logan County should receive an economic boost before, during and after the filming, Jennings said.

"We plan to start shooting in June and there will be about four to five weeks of filming," Jennings said. "Prior to that, there will be about four weeks of preparation and during that time, approximately 60 to 80 people will be in town, staying at local hotels, eating and shopping."

While county officials have given the preliminary go-ahead for Jennings and his crew to produce the movie in Lincoln, there are still several issues to work out, says County Board Chairman Dick Logan.

"We will have to make sure we protect the businesses on the downtown square and we need to discuss the situation more with the Sheriff," he said. "We will have to make sure that we don't get in Coogan's way, either, however, the Judge has given his okay for the project."

Sheriff Steve Nichols said he has not had much information about the proposed project, but supports the plan and will work with county and film crew officials on the details.