By: Diane Benjamin Today the City of Bloomington Annual Account as of 4/30/14 was published in the Pantagraph. If it wasn’t required by law, I’m sure the City wouldn’t do it. How much did the Pantagraph earn from the City of Bloomington? $126,344.49 It’s easy to see why investigative reporting is banned. Maybe the Pantagraph […]
by: Diane Benjamin h/t CS (again!) Why is Canada providing more news than our press? Canadian press knows the game, but not the media here? Note the date on the article! Did anybody doubt Fazzini was recruited by Paradigm not only because he was an alderman. but also gullible? Via Vancouver Observer: A waste-to-energy spin […]
By: Diane Benjamin Crony capitalism is a term describing an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials, commonly seen in within governments that practice Mixed Economics. Today Mary Ann Ford of the Pantagraph reported on a study by a group called Good Jobs First. They touted […]
by: Diane Benjamin To absolutely no fanfare, Normal issued their financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2014. Bloomington has yet to issue theirs for the year ended April 30, 2014. Tip: If the private sector took this long, investors would be demanding a government investigation! The notes are the most interesting part. Like […]
by: Diane Benjamin Does anybody remember when McLean County was the conservative bastion of Illinois? Those days are long gone, but you can help repair the damage done by people who think government solves problems. They don’t, they just throw YOUR money at it. The County strongly believes in looking for money from the Feds […]
by: Diane Benjamin h/t CS The “not recommended” opinion on Judge Reynard came from the Illinois Civil Justice League. The “recommended” opinion came from lawyer surveys. It’s up to you to decide if “not recommending” a judge that may hear your case has any impact on opinions. Finding out why ICJL issued their opinion took […]
When McLean County got offered money, they took it. The only NO vote was Chuck Erickson. McHenry County is smarter. The top three things McHenry County taxpayers need to know about ‘free’ ObamaCare money 29 Oct 2014 | Naomi Lopez Bauman The McHenry County Board recently took a brave stance by voting to reject “free” […]
by: Diane Benjamin Don’t take any chances on election day. Use paper ballots – don’t trust electric voting machines. NO, I don’t want to hear how local machines are fine. Don’t take any chances with your vote. Fraud will be rampant, it’s your job to get your friends, family, and neighbors to the polls to […]
by: Diane Benjamin The Pantagragh has released a documentary on local problems with mental health. Jails have been used to detain criminal mentally ill individuals. Yes it’s a BIG problem, so government is throwing more money at it. The film can be viewed here: http://pantagraph.com/Shortchanged Missing from the movie was Mayor Renner! His thoughts should […]
Global warming, climate change, whatever they call it now is nothing more than a way to change your behavior by force and take your money. Are the people behind it living green? Not a chance – only you are expected to comply. Watch this video from the Weather Channel Founder. Your electricity rates are sky-rocketing […]
by: Diane Benjamin Alderman David Sage was elected to the Bloomington City Council in 2007. His job now is NOT to represent his Ward, it’s to run interference for Mayor Renner. You wouldn’t know that unless you watch the Council meetings. How does he run interference? He makes sure spending cuts can never be discussed. […]
by: Diane Benjamin This list conflicts with what I posted yesterday. http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2014/10/icjl-releases-rating-of-judges-in-central-illinois.html http://www.isba.org/sites/default/files/judicialevaluations/2014general/11circuit.pdf One says Charles Reynard is not recommended, one says he is. A lawyer friend thinks judges ought to be changed often, as in term limits. It’s up to you.
by: Diane Benjamin Some I’m leaving up to you, some I plan to leave blank. If you aren’t planning to vote, think about this: There are numerous reports of ILLEGAL ALIENS voting. Want them to decide your future? Do you want voter fraud deciding your future? The only way to defeat them is for everybody […]
by: Diane Benjamin The following are from Bills and Payroll to be approved for payment: PANTAGRAPH PUBLISHING CHECK TOTAL $3,960.11 Peoria Journal Star CHECK TOTAL $1,314.12 LEGAL Outside Legal Co $90,640.10 (Sent out of Bloomington) How much was spent on my lawsuit and how much was spent on the Paradigm fiasco? Unclaimed […]
by: Diane Benjamin How about some weekend fun! When I filed the lawsuit against the City of Bloomington, I had no idea what emails they were hiding. Since the City has since produced at least some of them, they have admitted guilt. Of course, they will never say that publicly, but it’s obvious anyway. The […]
by: Diane Benjamin The editorial staff at the Pantagraph does a Cheers and Jeers column every Friday. I thought there was hope when they jeered the City of Bloomington for the failed retreat posting and the cost/inconvenience it caused. Today all hope was dashed. Not one mention in the column about the failed joint Council […]
by: Diane Benjamin Another Request for Review has been filed against the City of Bloomington for holding an illegal meeting. I didn’t file it. Lisa Madigan’s Office is in charge of the investigation. Since they have a long history of taking a year or more to make a decision, don’t expect a resolution anytime soon. […]
by: Diane Benjamin There is one BIG misconception in government: Producing audited financial statements don’t mean the auditors looked for fraud! The auditors of every government agency are hired from the outside, but they only look at presentation, not transactions. Want proof? The books of Dixon Illinois where and employee stole over $50,000,000 were audited! […]
by: Diane Benjamin Before Tari Renner was elected Mayor, I vetted him. Bloomington could have elected Lex Green Mayor and not been subjected to tax increases, massive spending downtown, and the rest of the Renner agenda. Lex would have concentrated on the business government is supposed to do like roads, sewers, water, police, fire etc. […]
by: Diane Benjamin Each Ward in Bloomington is represented by one Alderman. An attempt to change the system to some City-wide Aldermen failed miserably earlier this year. Obviously citizens want small wards with a personal representative on the Council. Unfortunately, most of the Council doesn’t work for you. Their attitude is “they hired David Hales”, […]
by: Diane Benjamin Tomorrow I’m going to print another email I had to file a lawsuit to get. It will clearly show your alderman have no voice on the City Council. Most of them willingly gave it up. The potted plants exist only to vote yes on whatever is brought to them. The email will […]
by: Diane Benjamin My only neighbors are critters and fields. I barely remember dealing with obnoxious neighbors, living in the country has many advantages. A Bloomington resident isn’t thrilled with a neighbor. Looking at what appears to be a pile of junk has been deemed a COMPOST pile by the City. Who knew plastic composes! […]
By: Diane Benjamin Normal has started redesigning streets for bikes. Their idea is to narrow intersections by adding concrete and landscaped bump outs. It’s still a mystery how this promotes biking. See previous post: http://blnnews.com/2014/07/30/more-on-normals-road-changes-get-a-bike/ Government has the mentality of “If we build it they will come”. In Normal’s case, the motto should be: “If […]
Update: by: Diane Benjamin According to the Pantagraph, Paradigm BioAviation received almost no support last night. WHO didn’t do their homework? WHO scheduled a joint Council meeting, wasted a lot of staff time, the public’s time, the Council member’s time? I thought Normal was all about sustainability, did the crowd ride their bikes to the meeting? […]
by: Diane Benjamin After already raising 3 taxes, Renner plans to spend more money but not raise property taxes to do it. He has lots of other plans, but funding the pension plan passed by the Council will require more money. (Cutting expenses will be out of the question – just like last year). Renner […]
Comments by Brian Costin, Illinois Policy Institute
by: Diane Benjamin Grants, grants, grants. Every level of government in Illinois is looking for grants. They are more than happy to take State or Federal money, complete with the strings attached. Indiana Gov Pence just refused $10,000,000 from the Feds: http://www.pulaskipost.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3356:pence-wont-seek-federal-dollars-to-expand-pre-k&catid=31:election He realizes giving the Federal Government more years to indoctrinate kids is bad […]
Brian Costin from the Illinois Policy Institute (the guy who gave Bloomington the transparency award), made the following comments to this story on Facebook: Brian Costin The only true way to truly measure the economic benefit is profit and loss. If a company loses money it is consuming more resources than it is creating. This […]
by: Diane Benjamin The email below was printed earlier today. It’s not the first time Tari has talked about “meds”. He obviously has a problem with anyone he doesn’t agree with. But Tari appears to have a problem with anyone who takes “meds” for mental health issues too. Tari, do you have a problem […]
WGLT digs up more information!
In a random act of journalism, WGLT sheds light on the project and the guy behind the project: http://wglt.org/wireready/news/2014/10/03835_Paradigm_doubts_051139.shtml by: Diane Benjamin Tuesday night former Bloomington Alderman Rob Fazzini is presenting his ideas for getting your money to a joint meeting of the Normal and Bloomington City Councils. Remember Rob is the same guy who […]
By: Diane Benjamin Mayor Transparency Renner isn’t so transparent. Keep in mind, he teaches kids at Wesleyan! I had to file a lawsuit to obtain information RENNER wants hidden. The email below isn’t the only one I have, it’s just the first. Mayor Renner has a public persona, but out of the public eye he’s […]
by: Diane Benjamin I was in court again this morning. Nothing exciting happened, the case got continued until November 14th because the original judge was busy with another case. I do have many of the emails the City redacted in violation of the Freedom of Information Act. They gave them to me because they obviously […]
by: Diane Benjamin McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery is once again on the CSPOA (Constitutional Sheriff and Peace Officers Assoc) list supporting the 2nd Amendment. http://cspoa.org/sheriffs-gun-rights/ These are the only Sheriffs in Illinois who pledged to protect your rights: Champaign Dan Walsh Clark Jerry Parsley Link Clinton Mike Kreke Link Crawford Todd W. Liston Signed […]
by: Diane Benjamin I rarely write about national issues, but when the Pantagraph publishes an Associated Press article on the front page titled: Budget deficit at lowest level under Obama somebody has to provide facts. The title is campaign propaganda for the uniformed. Wow, the deficit is down to $483 Billion. Everybody celebrate – as we rapidly […]
by: Diane Benjamin If you wanted to start a business in Bloomington or Normal, do you think you could request a joint City Council meeting (Bloomington and Normal)? Former Alderman Rob Fazzini pulled it off! Next Tuesday at 6:00pm a meeting will take place in the NORMAL Council chambers to discuss Paradigm BioAviation . The Public […]
by: Diane Benjamin People receiving pensions under Illinois Law aren’t the problem. The law is the problem, written years ago by people in Springfield thinking they could manage utopia and therefore buy votes. The system worked until people actually started retiring. Their checks automatically increase every year by 3%. Within 10 years they get paid […]
Home sales are down Average sales price of homes is down Sales tax revenue is down Is local government adjusting to the new reality? Hotel in Normal coming Hotel in Bloomington coming Spend spend spend! It’s going to be great!
