By: Diane Benjamin Yesterday Steve Vogel’s Saturday column was published, maybe next week he can explain it. It served no useful purpose. It wasn’t even entertaining. He rattled something about Illinois never seeing Presidential candidates. Must be jealousy. Mentioned were Clinton, Sanders, Trump, Carson, Rubio, Huckabee, and Santorum. Jeb is polling so low, Stevie must […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Pantagraph really needs to give up being a source for any useful information. They exist only to spew propaganda and publish pics of the local preferred royalty. Today is no exception. They “jeered” the State of Illinois for delaying the start of early voting. Of course they didn’t mention early voting […]
By: Diane Benjamin Since BlnNews has a LOT of new readers, allow me to briefly recap the lawsuit I filed against the City of Bloomington concerning the Coliseum. I filed a Freedom of Information request over a year ago for the concession reports from 2014 I also included a request for payroll records from 2014 […]
By: Diane Benjamin The first time I sent a FOIA request to the airport for payroll, I received Medicare Wages: http://blnnews.com/2016/01/21/cira-explain-please/. I did another request for the full salary and benefits paid to the airport manager, Carl Olson. The original request shows Medicare Wages of $175,710.68 I received this the second time: (click to enlarge) […]
By: Diane Benjamin The information below was obtained through by the Freedom of Information Act. The Central Illinois Regional Airport auditors released this information in their report for the year ended 4/30/15. Source: BNAA – FINAL – Audit Report – 8.20.2015 The airport doesn’t rely on taxes and subsidies nearly as much as Connect Transit […]
By: Diane Benjamin I just caught the last few minutes of District 87’s Barry Reilly on WJBC. Dr Reilly repeated the Common Core talking points: It’s a set of standards not a curriculum. Dr Reilly: Since the students are tested over and over and over, please explain how that “set of standards” doesn’t become “teaching […]
Lee passed away today. Keep his family in your prayers. Lee is now enjoying heaven! by: Diane Benjamin The former McLean County Recorder, Lee Newcom, is dying from cancer. I don’t want to wait until he is gone to say what needs to be said. Lee was a true Public Servant. He […]
By: Diane Benjamin Should all the “business” breakfasts and lunches consumed by staff and the elected be called additional compensation, and therefore taxed? When only the “preferred” aldermen ever consume, how can the City claim they have a “legitimate business purpose” as defined by law? What is the “legitimate purpose” for last Monday’s pizza party, […]
By: Diane Benjamin I find it hilarious that last night the Bloomington City Council held one of their SECRET meetings with “pending litigation” on the agenda: http://blnnews.com/2016/01/25/tonights-secret-council-meeting/ Today the City lawyers have a new strategy. I received this email this morning: (click to enlarge it) The last time we were in court, Mr. Boyle claimed […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Bloomington City Council meeting didn’t have much on the agenda last night. That usually means they are preparing big things for the next meeting. Your wallet isn’t safe. Public comment showed the deep divide between citizens and the Council. Think we are ignored by the people in Washington DC and Springfield? […]
By: Diane Benjamin More legal expense will be racked up tonight when the Bloomington Council meets in Executive Session. Yep, it’s a secret. I wonder if my case against the City concerning the Coliseum will be a topic. I wonder if my subpoena for City Manager David Hales is worrying them? Maybe, maybe not. I […]
By Sarah Welander If you were planning on voting early, you are going to have to wait. The delay has been caused by objections to several of the candidates running for president. The date has been moved to Feb 17th, though it is unlikely that this date will be met. There are hundreds of thousands […]
By: Diane Benjamin Saturday little Stevie Vogel spewed more nonsense in his weekly Pantagraph Editorial. The best I can say is he put his name on it. Nobody else at the Pantagraph is brave enough to acknowledge their work. Yep Stevie, Illinois is all but destroyed. People leave everyday, more wish they could leave. Jobs […]
By: Diane Benjamin Today’s Pantagraph Editorial included directions for how to drive in the snow. They also want you to make sure your windows and lights are cleaned of snow. If you are sick of no investigative reporting by the media and being treated like you are a child, please help out. I don’t get […]
By: Diane Benjamin From Bills and Payroll, Monday night’s Bloomington City Council meeting: http://www.cityblm.org/index.aspx?page=242&parent=9535 Just the beginning of the bills for Renner’s trip to DC: City Council Expenses American Airlines $ 305.20 US Conf of Mayors Wash DC Transportation for Mayor City Council Expenses US Conf Of Mayors $ 650.00 Reg. Mayor ‐ US Conf […]
By: Diane Benjamin Yep, another Bloomington City Council meeting on Monday. Yep, more approving Bills and Payroll. Yep, Nobody on the Council will bat an eye at this one: $59,559.55 might be a new high for tax dollars being shipped to Springfield! Jeff Jurgens and Springfield assistants are mining your gold. The remaining budget (until […]
By: Diane Benjamin According to this Pantagraph article: http://www.pantagraph.com/business/local/olson-gets-contract-extension/article_c3a51735-c4ad-5cda-853b-7704ebcffb8a.html – the Executive Director of the airport (Carl Olson) just got a 2.5% raise. It also states he was earning $172,365 per year. The article is a glowing endorsement of the great job he is doing. Funny, because in January the Pantagraph also reported traffic was down […]
By: Diane Benjamin Sick of hearing about Solid Waste funding yet? The Council has been discussing it since at least 2013! Don’t worry, it will end soon when fees are raised again. The neighbor wars are going to be great. Somebody dumps junk in front of your house and you get the bill. You […]
By: Diane Benjamin Last night’s Bloomington City Council work session never did ONE thing, clarify the purpose of government. The elephant in the room is sucking the life out of the City because local government has no core values. Alderman Fruin tried to start a discussion of Council priorities – start watching at 1:11. His […]
By: Diane Benjamin This article appeared in the January 11, 2016 print edition of Automotive News:
By: Diane Benjamin I’ve written a few stories about the subsidies handed to Connect Transit every year. In other words, your tax money. According to this article, between $8 and $10 MILLION per year: http://blnnews.com/2015/10/27/hows-connect-transit-ridership/ Bus riders love to yell at me when I do these stories. Somewhere a bus route or two must be […]
By: Diane Benjamin See this file, start at Page 9: Master I don’t write often about Normal because it seems the citizens really don’t care about taxes and fiscal responsibility. The list below I found while looking for something else. If anybody in Normal does care, send the Town a FOIA request for more information. […]
Because voters deserve information before replacing Matt Sorensen on the County Board, I am calling for a debate between the 4 write-in candidates. I have scheduled a debate for Tuesday March 1st, 6:30pm at the Launch Pad – 315 E. Front Bloomington. . District 2 stretches from Heyworth to Towanda, this location was chosen because […]
By: Diane Benjamin David Hales’ NOVEMBER City Manager’s report is finally on-line: http://www.cityblm.org/index.aspx?page=21&parent=8106 Zoo attendance is down again, but Revenue is up. Before the report gets to why, readers have to endure glowing reviews. When prices are raised and a tax is added, it’s not surprising Revenues are higher. I wonder how many people came […]
By: Diane Benjamin Multiple Choice test: A) Why is Matt Sorensen’s name not being taken off the March 15th ballot? The “powers” think voters are just stupid enough to re-elect him The “powers” want him re-elected so they can they get his resignation and appoint the person they want The “powers” want the March 15th […]
By: Diane Benjamin Two Council meetings ago one person complemented the Council (during public comment) on how much better they are at working together. Just hit play: . The Council “working together” has gotten taxpayers huge deficit spending and a 1% Sales tax increase. Expect more increases soon. Is their job to “work together” or […]
By: Diane Benjamin I don’t know which of these is bigger – you decide. My lawsuit against the City of Bloomington pertaining to payroll and concessions at the Coliseum goes to trial February 5th. Today I issued a subpoena for: David Hales Bloomington City Manager I have a long list of questions he needs to […]
By: Diane Benjamin I finally got around to looking at the Unit 5 spending. This isn’t the only report that will be coming, it’s just the first definitive information. Looking at the vendor payments, I saw many checks written to what appear to be out of district educations. I’m not making a judgement calls, but […]
By: Diane Benjamin From the City of Bloomington website: http://www.cityblm.org/index.aspx?page=535_ Sidewalks: Property owners and tenants are dually responsible for clearing sidewalks, and by ordinance this should be completed by 10 a.m. Residents and businesses along school routes should consider getting it done earlier on school days. School students at times are trudging through blanketed sidewalks […]
By: Diane Benjamin Last Thursday about 4:45 pm I was headed into Bloomington via East Oakland. The road was closed in both directions by A LOT of emergency vehicles, at least two big fire trucks and MANY police. There was so many emergency vehicles I thought for sure somebody had been seriously injured or maybe shot […]
By: Diane Benjamin It appears obvious the ordinance the City of Bloomington has for inspection of rental property is illegal. It was illegal before it was changed Monday night, but with the City wanting to hire a second inspector, it is tyranny. Not just illegal – it is massive over-reach by government. All the City […]
By: Diane Benjamin I’m hearing from a RELIABLE source that Matt Sorensen has resigned. More details when I get them. ****** I need reader support to continue bringing you news the rest of the media ignores: paypal.me/blnnews If you appreciate the truth, please contribute!
Another link, more info: http://www.athensmessenger.com/news/local-impact-not-expected-from-federal-ruling-on-rental-inspections/article_445cb108-ea0f-5498-b9e4-433713621313.html By: Diane Benjamin Last night at least one landlord showed up too late to speak, he didn’t know the public comment rules. He wondered why nothing was done to stop the local boot on his neck. Easy! You aren’t paying attention. Nobody cares until the fees and taxes affect them. […]
By: Diane Benjamin If elected officials are conservative, the local media is relentless in attacking them. Any representative opposing “progress” on the grounds it isn’t government’s job, will get vicious treatment for not going along with the majority. The majority is bankrupting taxpayers, but that’s immaterial to media. Examples: Judy Stearns, Kevin Lower, and Lee […]
By: Diane Benjamin Besides the two aldermen who didn’t care enough about their constituents (Painter/Hauman) to actually attend the Bloomington City Council meetings, one other moment proved the complete incompetence of government. Government uses your money, so logic, common sense, and fiscal responsibility don’t need to be deployed. Back in July of 2014 the Council […]
By: Diane Benjamin So, the few of you that actually voted in the last local election thought you were voting for representation. Joke is on you. First, most of the Council works for David Hales and Tari Renner, not you. Vote results are predetermined by free lunch. Tonight 2 alderman didn’t show – Painter and […]
Read carefully – this shows the total for 5 years! Not per year. By: Diane Benjamin As usual, the County website has less information than any other government website. Citizens would be appalled at vendors and the amount of County tax dollars they receive – if they knew. Unfortunately, there is no yearly summary […]
