By: Diane Benjamin
Two County Board members were absent: Bloomfield and Reeves. Both are Republicans.
Lea Cline was elected temporary chair. She had the audacity to nominate Elizabeth Johnston for Board Chair. She was unanimously approved.
We see over and over laws are immaterial. Both parties voted to make her Board Chair.
This is the new masked chairman:
.
Congrats McLean County.
Krystle Able nominated Jim Rogal for vice-chair. Both the chair and vice chair are Democrats. So much for “working together”. Rogal was elected unanimously too. Short video:
The recently approved budget for 2025 has this for the Bloomington Election Commission – County taxpayers are forced by law to pay for it:
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28150/2025-Adopted-Budget
PDF page 5: $842,407.00
The 2024 was only $768,007.00. That is an increase of 9.688%.
Eliminating BEC would save FAR more than eliminating the Elected Auditor. Not eliminating BEC proves the auditor campaign had nothing to do with saving money.
The McLean County Clerk budget would have to be increased some but County taxpayers wouldn’t be forced to pay full time staff to run an occasional election along with the office expense that goes with them.
The League of Women Voters was wrong about “Vote Yes” to eliminate the elected Auditor. They were wrong about opposing the referendum to abolish BEC the last time it was on the ballot too.
One more example of the local Republican parties ineffectiveness. McLean county was once solidly Republican, what’s happened?
Wimps took over
This “Common-Sense” group in town is a large part of the problem with the Republican Party. It is causing a schism which has split resources, loyalties, caused confusion and created a rift. Example, its taken me a bit to realize the dynamics.
Also, Republicans, need to create a “closed group” or agree to keep it off Facebook, for hashing out inner differences. If We agree on 80% of the issues, as Reagan said! We need to stick together.
The Dobski’s.
Really? I thought Dobskis were big MAGA supporters. What have they done to weaken the McGOP?
MAGA? Hardly. Ever notice that every Republican McLean County status quo event is held at their restaurant. Also, any event held at their house is populated by some of BN’s best known liberal Dems and RINO’s. Think of them as the McLean County/BN deep state members in good standing. They mix with anyone who is going to keep them in the local Elitist Clique. Don’t think for a moment ole Jules isn’t making phone calls suggesting candidates for mayor, council, boards and business leadership positions because she has and does. I’ve been in rooms where I witnessed the shenanigans personally. The more you further your education on the inner workings of BN the better off you’ll be.
The McLean county “Republicans”, in particular the McGOP executive board and any that call themselves active GOP members should be ashamed! Not just for the county board loss but for the loss of the whole county!!!! There’s more to winning representation than going to cocktail parties and preening for photo shots in “Who’s who” in BloNo and McLean county.
Beyond wimps, more like traitors.
TOTALLY AGREE! Furthermore, it appears (to this outsider who spent 30 some years in your area) “real” Republicans no longer exist in McLean Co. 🙁 🙁
👋
The GOP of McLean County and state GOP Legislature are completely irrelevant. The GOP/RINO’s all have the stink of Democrats on them. The only useful purpose that the GOP provides is distribution of participation ribbons at local/county fairs. The GOP has no power, influence and clearly no critical thinking skills to deal with the major issues impacting McLean County and Illinois. As a registered Republican I see absolutely no difference from the Democrats in their lack of ability to govern prudently. Occasionally a lame duck GOP member will crawl from under their cow chip to bark about something they cannot control or have any ability to influence. Just more tax, spend and regulate by these socialist spendthrifts.
Why did no Republicans speak up or at least vote no on Johnston becoming chair and Rogal as Vice Chair? Even if their excuse is that they knew they were outnumbered, they could have still gone on the record with not supporting someone accused of unethical and illegal activity, unless, perhaps all of the County Board Members know something about those accusations that the rest of us don’t know? None of them are speaking on the record. None of them had the guts to even vote no this morning. They all even voted yes on the rules changes, other than Metsker, which included allowing remote attendance if you don’t have childcare or have a work obligation. All of them had been very vocal against those changes, and now that Democrats are in change, they all just roll over? (Other than Metsker who still voted no on the changes). Weak.
Catherine Metzker is a liar and a RINO . Reeves is a rich farmer that sits on the county board between crops. Bloomfield does not give a dam. The rest who knows I don’t know them.
Either Lizzy Johnston collected money for a political action committee in the Government Center or she didn’t. Has she denied it ? It is really a simple yes or no question. Has any one in the press asked that question to her directly ? What was her answer ?
She hasnt denied any of it, merely made a statement, “For any Allegations, I think that we need to be having conversations based on facts and that would be a determination of facts,” Elizabeth Johnston Pantagraph
So shes saying she wants to see the facts before she will talk about the facts so that the facts can be determined, even though, she knows the facts, since she is allegedly, is a witnessas a, solicitor of funds, her statements would be the facts, if they are truthful facts. because firsthand or primary source under oath are taken as testimony or “factual evidence.” Perhaps we need to have some depositions?
right?
If the Republicans believe she is corrupt and the allegations from the terminated Republican states attorney are true, why would the Republicans go on record voting yes to affirm her chairship with the Democrats? Either they know Sierra is making the whole thing up to stab people he thinks brought about his firing on his way out (targeting Reynolds and Judge Knapp and calling him an ally to Lizzy and Cassy is CRAZY in my opinion and will probably see Sierra never working in law in Central Illinois again) or they know Cassy and Lizzy did do it, and they all made donations or helped as well and are going to drop or ignore the whole thing so they are all not implicated along with Lizzy and Cassy. This is either nothing (and they all know it) or a lot bigger than we all know right now (but they all know it and need to save their own asses).
It’s not going away
Story correction…Lea Cline did not make the nomination for Elizabeth or Lizzy to be the Chair. That was Val. No audacity there.
It’s exciting to see what will be continued or enhanced bipartisanship. For the first time in the County’s history, the Democrats are the majority. That should not impact the business of the County. Look forward to what’s yet to come!