Month: April 2020

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal scammed it’s citizens

Followup story:  https://blnnews.com/2020/04/16/more-on-the-normal-ordinance-scam/ By:  Diane Benjamin The Normal Town Council rushed through an emergency ordinance.  One section was very problematic for citizens.  See details in this story:  https://blnnews.com/2020/03/22/normal-emergency-meeting-monday/ The offending section, granting emergency powers to only Koos and Reece, was rapidly removed from the ordinance when suggested by Chris Koos and immediately amended by Kevin […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

The Attorney General Ruled!

By:  Diane Benjamin You have to laugh at bureaucrats!  The Attorney General’s Public Access office just sent me a final determination pertaining to Jeff Fritzen’s bike present courtesy of Chris Koos. It took less than a month.  A few days ago I posted the Town’s response to the AG in this story:  https://blnnews.com/2020/04/13/koos-bike-present-violated-town-code/ Keep in […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

What the Socialists demanded

By:  Diane Benjamin Received by FOIA. The local radicals didn’t ask for assistance, they DEMANDED it.  They have attempted to beat local elected officials into compliance with sheer volumes of insistence. As reported last night, help for people hurt by the government shutdown of the economy is already available:  https://blnnews.com/2020/04/14/facts-matter-socialists-another-jenn-fail/ Bloomington elected two socialists and […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Facts matter socialists-another Jenn fail

By:  Diane Benjamin The McLean County Board Executive Committee heard a report today on homelessness locally from Karen Zangerle of PATH. Listen to the video below starting at 1:24:30. There is no shortage of beds available.  There is no shortage of money available for rent assistance. There are rooms at local hotels available for first […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

You all miss this?

By:  Diane Benjamin From this story:  https://blnnews.com/2020/04/14/koos-caught-in-another-lie/ Besides the typo, see anything else? Anybody? . .   The Council only has SEVEN members.  Koos claims he talked to SIX! http://normal.org/1135/Meet-the-Council If Koos hadn’t wasted time talking to himself he would of had time to call Stan! (I was waiting for somebody to notice)    

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Update: Koos caught in another lie

I found more emails you need to see.  So far I haven’t found any responses from the Mayor to Stan.  (At bottom) By:  Diane Benjamin See this WGLT story:  https://www.wglt.org/post/normal-cracks-down-large-gatherings#stream/0 Excerpt: Koos claimed he could not reach one council member! He didn’t try: Koos didn’t have time   At least he apologized, I wonder if […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington on Zoom!

By:  Diane Benjamin Citizens were spared from a long line of people wanting the City to fork over your money.  Most of public comment was emailed, those were forwarded to the Aldermen but not read out loud.  One of the comments was called in, the form aid would take is never mentioned.  Stan Nord also […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Utopia awaits, just need tax dollars

By:  Diane Benjamin Saul Alinsky wrote a book he dedicated to Lucifer. Rules for Radicals The local bellyachers are using his playbook.  Note Jenn’s intern signed the email below that sent to the County, Bloomington, and Normal. See the rules here:  https://bolenreport.com/saul-alinskys-12-rules-radicals/ Read past the meme to the actual rules.  I see at least two […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Koos’ bike present violated Town Code

By:  Diane Benjamin I previously reported the Town of Normal couldn’t find any communication for Chris Koos’ purchase of a bike from his shop to give to Trustee Fritzen.  I also reported I filed a Request of Review with the Attorney General’s Public Access office:  https://blnnews.com/2020/03/27/remember-that-bike-fritzen-got/ Fritzen’s party was held on April 23, 2019.  Fritzen […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Jenn has her own intern!

By:  Diane Benjamin The local socialists are demanding public funds be used to protect the most vulnerable in the community.  It doesn’t matter to them that government is the least effective mechanism possible.  It doesn’t matter to them local charities are working hard to help.  It also doesn’t matter the feds are going further in […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Blessed Easter

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Priorities In Normal

By:  Diane Benjamin Since a BIG part of Normal’s population is college students, the census could have a huge impact on government funding. The Town of Normal shouldn’t have to worry about the census if Illinois State University cooperates: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/modifying-2020-operations-for-counting-college-students.html Student living on campus might be counted by the university, they wouldn’t need to fill […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bullies!

By:  Diane Benjamin Received by FOIA. On March 13th Jenn Carrillo tried to call an emergency meeting with the County, Bloomington, and Normal:  https://blnnews.com/2020/04/08/hey-jenn-carrillo-you-got-379-votes/ Since that didn’t work out, plan #2: She invited tons of elected officials to “her call” without telling them who the community groups were.  Turns out they were all her radical […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Weekend Lock-down smiles

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Flashback 2014, what we don’t see anymore

By:  Diane Benjamin I was searching my site for one name mentioned in this 2014 story, sorry no hints. Maybe you too have forgotten how bad the PCard spending was in 2014.  Happily we don’t see this excessive eating at your expense anymore, just occasionally now. Relive the “free lunch” Tari used to claim didn’t […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington 4-13-2020

By:  Diane Benjamin Bills and Payroll: https://www.cityblm.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=24286 PDF pages 47 – 58 show tons of REFUNDS.  Most aren’t large but added together are likely pretty big.  If someone wants to total them, let me know.  Most are from the Ice Center and Parks and Rec. More Pension Spiking: Since MLK’s vision of America is now […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

FOIA Funnies

By:  Diane Benjamin I received a large FOIA from the City of Bloomington this week.  They extended the usual 5 days to 10 and then attempted to extend it even further.  I refused their request. When I FOIA for emails what I get is the same emails numerous times.  Each time there is a response […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Your Really Classy County Board Member

By:  Diane Benjamin h/t a reader From the Facebook page of District 8 County Board Member Shayna Watchinski: This is who District 8 really elected, not the girl who pretended to be caring. If you don’t want to be deceived again, don’t vote democrat.    

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

BNWRD – Fees going up

By:  Diane Benjamin The Bloomington Normal Water Reclamation District (BNWRD) Board is holding a meeting on April 13.  The agenda does not reflect any changes to how the meeting will take place because of social distancing. On the agenda:    BNWRD Brd Packet 4-13-20 BNWRD charges appear monthly on the water bills of any residence […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington: Elites party, roads rot

By:  Diane Benjamin Found in the latest FOIA request from the City of Bloomington: What is it?  https://thelincolnacademyofillinois.org/2020-laureates-announced-by-gov-pritzker/ This event has been postponed because of the lock-down.  It looks like Gov. Pritzker will attend when it is rescheduled.  This event looks like a party for elites.  It honors people who have lived in Illinois at […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

BEC’s version of what happened with the bounced checks

By:  Diane Benjamin The below was sent to the election judges yesterday by the Bloomington Election Commission.  See the original story:  https://blnnews.com/2020/04/07/you-should-have-abolished-the-bloomington-election-commission/ Note how nothing is ever government’s fault, in this case it’s the bank’s fault.  Yes folks, banks accidentally bounce checks all the time. . . . . .  

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Koos strikes again!

By:  Diane Benjamin Mayor Koos doesn’t think you are capable of not answering your door.  He must be sitting in his house bored.  Maybe his next order will be establishing a hotline to report offenders.  (Just like in China) http://normal.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2084 Mayor Koos issues Emergency Order Suspending Solicitation Licenses On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, Mayor Koos […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Sheriff Sandage calls out the radicals

By:  Diane Benjamin The McLean County Board Justice Committee met yesterday.  Sheriff Sandage read a prepared statement pertaining mostly to the local elected officials and social justice warriors demanding he release inmates at the McLean County jail,  Since he did not release a printed copy of his remarks, and I know few of you ever […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Hey Jenn Carrillo – you got 379 votes

By:  Diane Benjamin Being marginalized for her socialist views at Council meeting after Council meeting isn’t stopping Jenn Carrillo!  She only won because most of her Ward stayed home on election day.  Make that mistake next year at your own peril. Remember when Mayor Koos berated Stan Nord for daring to talk to a friend […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

The uninformed live amongst us

By:  Diane Benjamin h/t a reader If you make a comment here that is so devoid of facts it is obvious the truth is immaterial, it won’t get posted.  The media gets much of the blame for making people really stupid.  A lot of media has an agenda, if you absorb news not looking for […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Update: You should have abolished the Bloomington Election Commission!

The original Facebook post below might be slightly wrong.  It is looking more like BEC wrote checks on an account they forgot to transfer money to before sending them out.  People who call are being told to re-submit their checks.  Proof of fees incurred has to be submitted to be reimbursed. By:  Diane Benjamin Having […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Update: Covid 19 in McLean County, need better data

The McLean County Health Department tweeted that “Hospitalized” should have been 6.  The other questions weren’t answered. By:  Diane Benjamin From the McLean County Health Department website:  https://health.mcleancountyil.gov/708/CORONAVIRUS-COVID-19 2+12+5+28 = 47 It looks like one confirmed case got lost in the system. With the local economy essentially shut down, businesses closing, and people losing their […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Is Normal a Police State?

By:  Diane Benjamin Last night’s Normal’s Town Council meeting was relatively boring until Stan Nord asked questions toward the end.  His comments pertained to Chris Koos’ “Enforcement of Stay-At-Home Executive Order” issued on April 4, 2020. This statement in the order is problematic:  http://normal.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2083 If the Town Code applied to the Koos order it would […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Update: Connect Transit Ridership down more than 50%

See two stories added at the bottom. By:  Diane Benjamin There was no March Connect Transit meeting, so stats aren’t available for February.  Reports showing revenue and expenses for the month weren’t issued either. This statement is on their website:  https://www.connect-transit.com/news I FOIA’d ridership for 2 weeks.  The numbers show this happening on a few […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Sharon Chung: CHINA virus

By:  Diane Benjamin A couple days ago this Letter to the Editor from McLean County Board member Sharon Chung appeared in the paper: https://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/letters/race-connection-furthers-division/article_298225bf-64ea-5b14-b9a7-e62de06e15c4.html Chung is upset an amendment failed that would have removed “China” from the emergency proclamation the County passed. Sharon, Communist China wants the same thing!  Most of the media has knelt […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal Does It Right (surprised?)

By:  Diane Benjamin This was posted to the Normal Police Department Facebook page yesterday: The police are out patrolling anyway so this doesn’t violate Gov. Pritzker’s essential services only order.  Normal also isn’t picking any winners and losers – they want to reach everywhere in Normal. They could have picked a better photo to go […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Pritzker: Essential Travel Doesn’t Include Birthdays

By:  Diane Benjamin If you haven’t read Gov Pritzker’s Executive Order, see it here:  https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/21288-Gov._Pritzker_Stay_at_Home_Order.pdf Note the Title: Stay At Home Order There are no exceptions in his order for government helping kids celebrate their birthdays.  There are dictates requiring people to stay 6 feet away from each other if they have to be outside […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Weekend Virus Mania and More

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal “No Bills” Monday

By:  Diane Benjamin Unlike Bloomington, that now has a financial report to the Council every month, Normal issues a report once a year in September.  They call it a Financial Trends Report.  Do citizens have to wait until September to find out just how bad Revenue is now? The turndown isn’t stopping them from spending […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Blatant sexism!

By:  Diane Benjamin So who at the City of Bloomington did this family know? https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/photos-bloomington-girl-receives-special-birthday-present/collection_2fa6b4ee-8fc8-5a52-806f-f3268f9e9d11.html#3 Yes folks, another parade for a kid’s birthday.  One difference, this time it was a girl and the only City vehicle she got was an emergency response truck with paramedics. Obvious sexism since she didn’t get all the same vehicles […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Quarantine OVER!

By:  Diane Benjamin If the rules issued by Gov. Pritzker don’t apply to City of Bloomington employees, they don’t apply to you either. This pic is from the birthday boy’s mom’s Facebook page – it is only to prove a City employee is involved: Does this look like 6 feet away? Yes folks, there is […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bill Brady: RESIGN

By:  Diane Benjamin Strike one against Bill Brady was his failure to disclose financial interests in the gaming industry while writing laws to regulate them.  If Illinois had prosecutors . . . . . A US Bankruptcy Court in Springfield ruled yesterday against Robert Brady pertaining to his bankruptcy.  That Brady is not allowed to […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Uptown, something easy to understand

By:  Diane Benjamin This is story #3.  I know many of you didn’t understand #2 – I can tell that by the number of “Shares” it received.  Keep in mind sharing information is the only way what I report gets to other people! Brief recap: Story #1:  https://blnnews.com/2020/03/31/normal-remember-all-those-property-tax-increases/ Everybody in Normal is paying higher property […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Update: To save face Bloomington calls in the media

I haven’t found the video on-line.  Maybe they realized the party and the parade violated the Stay-At-Home order.  In comments to this story a lady admitted being at the party even though she lives in Normal:  https://blnnews.com/2020/03/31/i-expect-apologies-the-kid-isnt-even-sick/   By:  Diane Benjamin If you read to the bottom of this story:  Gleason response to parade I predicted […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Today’s Silly and More

By:  Diane Benjamin Bloomington City Manger Tim Gleason didn’t answer my email from yesterday: The “Sorry, no hello” is an insider joke.  Tim Gleason has always been straight forward with me, this time I don’t see it. What the whole “parade” shenanigans amounts to is City employees do not understand your tax dollars aren’t their […]