By: Diane Benjamin Summary of today’s proceedings: The hearing lasted MANY hours. Mikey’s mom, Amber Buck, decided not to testify. The feeling from Michael Cadena’s side was she was afraid of facing cross-examination. Michael’s lawyer had a lot of questions ready. Mikey’s doctor, Garfinkle, was allowed to testify in general terms about her experiences with […]
By: Diane Benjamin Let’s play a game! Who can spot the fake news? Source: https://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-cheers-to-arc-teachers-readers/article_3e9ba81f-188f-5be7-909d-e78e823f2825.html Anybody see a problem? . . . . Nothing was approved! The agenda even states the presentation was to get direction from the Council: What else does the Pantagraph publish they don’t think you are smart enough to know is […]
By: Diane Benjamin It was nice of most the progressives to pose for a pic together. Progressives think government is the answer to every problems. Personal responsibility isn’t required when government can create the future, they just need a ton more money to make it perfect. Nikita Richards announced on Cities 92.9 that she plans […]
I was just informed the petition challenge failed! In November citizens of Bloomington can abolish ONE unit of government! Many more to go.
By: Diane Benjamin The Bloomington City Code has a section on ethics for employees, it is patterned after the State Ethics Act: http://www.cityblm.org/government/codes-ordinances/city-code Excerpt: To find out what activities are prohibited, see the State Ethics law: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2529&ChapterID=2 This is the definition of Prohibited Political Activities from that link: There is more, but that’s enough […]
By: Diane Benjamin See Part 1 here: https://blnnews.com/2018/08/24/please-explain-why-nikita-richards-has-a-job/ See Part 3 here: https://blnnews.com/2018/08/30/part-3-nikita-richards/ If Nikita is still employed at the City of Bloomington after obviously accessing political websites from a City computer, maybe the new City Manager can explain why. Tim Gleason? After reading the information below, he REALLY needs to explain why she is still […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Campus Ministry Association has been a registered student association at Illinois State University since 1996. It was called Ecumenical Campus Ministries until 2011. For 22 years they participated in recruitment events through the Department of Admissions. I’m hearing two sides to this story. A member of the Campus Ministry Association says […]
By: Diane Benjamin I find it hilarious that Democrat Tari Renner threw and continues to be upset that his petitions were challenged. Tari thinks he should not have been challenged, even though 204 signatures were found to be fraudulent. Meanwhile another Democrat, Board Chair of the Bloomington Election Commission, is challenging the petitions for a […]
By: Diane Benjamin I didn’t receive a return phone call, but I did get a Tweet: . . .. . . . . . . . . .
By: Diane Benjamin Joni Painter was absent again last night, so her Ward wasn’t represented. None of the alderman asked why government should be in the business of selling insurance! The bigger the government the better. The more people who can not exist without government largess, the more voters they have to keep them in […]
By: Diane Benjamin Last night the Bloomington City Council heard the first ever monthly Finance Director’s Report. It’s great information that you will never see! Evidently reports are given to elected officials monthly. The presentation last night was not included in the packet. The reports were only shown on the screen, you will have to […]
See this update: https://blnnews.com/2018/08/28/rivian-tweet/ From several sources that never would have said anything if this story hadn’t been written, Rivian is changing signs. The message I left yesterday had not been returned. By: Diane Benjamin This sign used to be in front of the old Mitsubishi plant: It isn’t there now! Maybe the Normal Town Council […]
By: Diane Benjamin The below numbers are un-audited, but they do show an entire year’s worth of taxpayer abuse. Has anybody else noticed the bus windows are tinted darker now? I wonder if it’s an attempt to hide the emptiness? Should we celebrate they lost $1.2 million less than budgeted? Roads won’t be fixed because […]
By: Diane Benjamin PDF page 221: http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=19712 The bigger government gets, the more it costs you. When government seizes your money for the good of all residents, you are no longer free to self-determination. Notice a lot of really stupid people in recent years? Government has made it possible for way to many to live […]
By: Diane Benjamin Part 1 See Part 2 here: https://blnnews.com/2018/08/30/part-2-nikita-richards/ See Part 3 here: https://blnnews.com/2018/08/30/part-3-nikita-richards/ This was the job Nikita used to have, maybe still does: Nikita’s LinkedIn page shows NDR and Running for McLean County Clerk, but doesn’t mention she works for the City of Bloomington: There is a description of what NDR Communications does […]
By: Diane Benjamin http://www.ides.illinois.gov/SitePages/NewsArticleDisplay.aspx?NewsID=420 Illinois Department of Employment Security report for July of 2018: Only Carbondale-Marion lost more jobs than here. DECATUR added 700 jobs! . . . .. . .. . . . Sponsored:
By: Diane Benjamin It’s always amusing when the Pantagraph tries to do news when I know they didn’t do anything but print what they are told. That is the reason I started covering the Mikey Cadena story. I think it’s safe to assume ol’ Edith didn’t fly out to a court hearing in Massachusetts. Yesterday […]
By: Diane Benjamin Bills and Payroll for Monday: http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=19706 Bloomington collects Food and Beverage taxes and then gives Normal their share. This is the amount being paid Monday night: How much was it a year ago? http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=14534 Since the tax rate hasn’t increased, more people are eating out and paying the tax. __________________________________________ Shipping money to […]
By: Diane Benjamin When you think about community events, the library is the first place you think of, right? Community events already take place at Grossinger Motors Arena and the BCPA, both of which already suck up tax dollars faster than a category 5 tornado sucks up homes, but the library needs space for community […]
By: Diane Benjamin For a brief time events report were published for BCPA shows. It was when VenuWorks was filling the management void. Reports are available for these shows: http://www.cityblm.org/government/advanced-components/documents/-folder-1555 (Some shows are available from the prior year too, I’m not looking them all up!) 260 people attended Gobsmacked, the show lost $14,570.51 184 people […]
By: Diane Benjamin I have no great love for Rodney Davis, but in this race the choice is clear! This is a quote from an email sent by Londrigan on August 13th begging for money: When asked about the tax bill yesterday on Capitol Connection, Congressman Rodney Davis doubled down on how it’s benefitting middle-class Americans. We know the […]
By: Diane Benjamin I can’t imagine men dying to attend. Since the BCPA doesn’t make money, the tax dollars of Bloomington citizens will be used to fund this show. Note: No one under 18 can attend. Also note who is sponsoring this event – see the bottom of the pic. A video preview is available […]
By: Diane Benjamin Joni Painter was absent last night, so Ward 5 wasn’t represented. There was no presentation last night on employee compensation. HR is going to want around $20,000 to study more. Alderman Mathy used common sense when he asked where ending Sick Leave Buy Back is. It is nowhere. He also asked why […]
Don Knapp was appointed with ZERO discussion. The fix was in. By: Diane Benjamin The County Board meets this morning at 9:00. On the agenda (Item 7) is the Chairman’s pick to replace Jason Chambers as State’s Attorney. https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6150 I predict Chairman John McIntyre picked the current Assistant County Administrator Don Knapp. Don is […]
By: Diane Benjamin Renner was on WGLT earlier this month talking about the Council changes that will happen next year since two alderman have announced they aren’t running for re-election. The story says nothing about his comments, you have to listen to the 4 minute interview: http://www.wglt.org/post/sage-wont-seek-re-election-bloomington-city-council#stream/0 Tari is actively recruiting, grooming and supporting candidates […]
By: Diane Benjamin The YWCA hasn’t stood for Young Women’s Christian Association since 2015: https://www.ywca.org/about/history/ Instead of removing the “Christian” sign, the local affiliate put a new sign in front of it. Since the Mission Statement doesn’t fit the brick sign, it needs to be removed! I’m sure they wouldn’t want to confuse anyone. […]
By: Diane Benjamin In their continuing quest to make it un-affordable to live in Bloomington: Tonight the Committee of the whole will get a preview of upcoming fee increases: PDF page 8 http://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=19646 This should be interesting: All of these items will be previewed tonight for a discussion on September 10th. Alderman Diana Hauman wants […]
The meeting started on time for a change, it was adjourned at 7:02. Scott Preston even managed to welcome the ISU students back. By: Diane Benjamin Once again the Town of Normal has no General Orders and no New Business on their agenda. Your wallet is safer until the next meeting. Tonight will be another […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Pantagraph has a story titled: https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-meth-bust-among-mclean-county-s-largest-cases-on/article_7c910a35-074b-5d4f-84a9-b99d32a389fe.html Police: Meth bust among McLean County’s largest; cases on rise Quote from the story: Cagle was jailed in lieu of posting $15,035; Guilliams was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. I believe Amber Buck and her boyfriend were arrested with 206 grams of meth. […]
By: Diane Benjamin Five people involved with running the Coliseum have been charged with felonies. The failure by the City of Bloomington to protect taxpayer dollars deserves to be exposed in open court. The citizens didn’t want it built, there was a non-binding referendum stating it. It was built anyway and has been a constant […]
By: Diane Benjamin Golf, golf, golf because the City owns THREE courses. One is never enough for Quality of Life! The Den at Fox Creek The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course Budget Magically the Den is projected to break even! Prairie Vista Prairie Vista Golf Course Budget Magically Prairie Vista is projected to break even […]
By: Diane Benjamin Below are the ADMIN salaries for Parks & Rec – the pencil pushers: (pensions and benefits not included) Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Administration What does the Zoo cost? Miller Park Zoo Budget Yes, citizens of Bloomington are paying almost $600,000 for the Zoo. It’s very cool, but obviously not run as a […]
By: Diane Benjamin The budget for the BCPA is buried in the Parks and Rec. I FOIA’d a detailed Parks and Rec budget to see exactly what it costs. The budget predicts Revenue of $3,073,270. It predicts Expenses of $3,349,098. That is a loss of $275,828. But that’s not the story! $1,700,000 of that $3 […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Illinois Supreme Court just ruled Danville is responsible for injuries a woman sustained because she tripped on an uneven sidewalk: https://www.ilnews.org/news/justice/illinois-supreme-court-rules-city-liable-in-trip-and-fall/article_c7227c6e-9ccc-11e8-945c-6725ad9095d1.html If government stuck to essential services, like maintaining sidewalks, they wouldn’t have a problem. Bloomington has a BIG one. ____________________________________________ WGLT held a forum to discuss local media last week. […]
By: Diane Benjamin Illinois has far more units of government than any other state. Your taxes are higher because of it! In 2014 the Bloomington Election commission violated the Open Meetings Act, the Attorney General didn’t tell them until 2016: AG 12/12/2016 letter This article contains rulings of two more Open Meetings Act violations in […]
PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release: I, Donna Boelen, am formally announcing my intent to run for Bloomington City Council representing Ward 2. I have been a resident of Bloomington for 26 years. My children attended District 87 schools. My son graduated from ISU. As a result, I have an emotional attachment to this City. I […]
See the WEEK story here: http://www.week.com/story/38886918/teen-killed-by-drunk-driver-lives-on-through-organ-donations-remembered-through-memorial?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_25_News WEEK will have a story at 10:00. The rock has found the perfect home. By: Diane Benjamin The rock memorial for Dale Nelson will be installed today in El Paso. It will be placed at Jefferson Park Elementary School between 1:45 and 2:00 pm. Anyone who wants to attend […]
By: Diane Benjamin The live video of last night’s Bloomington City Council meeting wasn’t working for much of the meeting, the Council microphones weren’t working for any of it. The only one that worked was on the podium. Green Top has to wait until the end of August to find out if their customers will […]
