By: Diane Benjamin
Read yesterday’s story if you missed it: https://blnnews.com/2025/01/14/video-gaming-discrimination/
Jill Whitacre, owner of Shake It Up Cocktail Lounge, made a plea for a video gaming license. The number of licenses are limited because the Council under Tari Renner thought there would be less gambling if machines weren’t everywhere.
If Bloomington wanted to limit gambling, the machines should never have been legalized.
(just my opinion)
There is a new twist today – h/t a reader:
Isn’t it interesting Jill Whitacre makes a Public Comment at Council a few days before she throws a fundraiser for Cody?
Did Cody Hendricks tell Jill he would get her a video gaming license? Does Jill think throwing a fundraiser for Cody will result in a license?
I smell a campaign issue!
Early voting starts in February. Don’t forget the schools don’t want you to show up so unions can pass the 1% Sales Tax increase.
unbelievable! Sounds like just another pay to play so wide in B-N and Central Illinois.
LuLu’s Pizza, now closed, had gaming. Why can’t their gaming license be transferred/changed to Shake it Up?
Maybe because there is a LONG waiting list. The name at the top should get it.
I believe, if I remember correctly, that LuLu’s was provided the first exemption to exceed the limitation limit. Supposedly due to verbal commitment made to owner of gas station, just west of LuLu’s (same owner?)
Seems like Cody has put himself in a bad place. Even the appearance of impropriety is enough to sink a politician. At least it should.
I don’t think this “sinks” him in any way. Say what you will, align yourself with whatever party, but he’s one of the few doers in this town who shows real results and listens to the people. He’s a community school teacher and alderman who’s served his community well and this candidacy is well-earned, and needed.
With that said, despite the “impropriety”, it’s no surprise that he is hosting his campaign kick-off in a popular place in Downtown. He stands for Downtown revitalization and, look, “Shake it Up” is incredibly popular. . . What I’m trying to say is that every place in Downtown is on some sort of waiting list, it’s a starved community of businesses under-represented by it’s leaders. No matter where he could kick this off he’d face some sort of backlash.
Just saying, once you put it into reasonable proportion, this isn’t a surprise and isn’t a big deal. Cody cares and is kicking it off at a cocktail lounge. . . If they’re on a waiting list for a gaming license that doesn’t mean he’s in any way promising anything.
His ideology is picking winners and losers.
Thank you! I’m the same and don’t know who I would vote for yet, but Cody is definitely a doer. I see him, and John Wyatt, and Kathryn Lorenz out doing good acts all the time. Where are the others?
Maybe not where you see people. Maybe that’s how the con works best too
And what exactly is the “con”?
See, I think you know that you are wrong and they are exactly right so you use hypothetical scenarios of unrealistic cons to attempt to attack their argument.
All socialists dictators get there by being charismatic.
Those are two unique version of government. You are seriously jumping over another level of incompetence. I would strongly recommend you take a high school Government class. . . You are exhibiting no knowledge once-so-ever of any competence regarding ways of governance.
There is a dictatorship and Socialism. . . One is related to the way the rule rules, and the other is about the economy and the way that the financial system of a county operates.
Seriously, before you clap back, look it up.
As for being charismatic, Trump is a fascist demagogue and has gotten there by being an absolute bully and an idiot. Does that work?
Hitler got in power by promising revenge after WWI and was very vocal regarding violence and militarism.
People get in power by being nice. Being nice isn’t at all related to the type of figure someone is except to make them more qualified for the job, though.
Made me laugh! Thanks
It’s good for you to share a laugh at your ridiculous newspaper as much as the averagely educated person does!
Newspaper?
Blog***, sorry, most newspapers are well-liked enough to be blogs or vice versa.
I’m sure you like them. Read quick because they’re dying
What has HE done to deserve honor?
This seems illegal and unethical. I would say I’m going to boycott this place, but I don’t go to bars. Where is the ethics investigation? Where is the State’s Attorney? The Sheriff? Bueller, Bueller?
Illinois has ethics?
A candidate kicking off his campaign at a place in Downtown — which he is promising to work to revitalize as Mayor — that is on a waiting list isn’t illegal. Cody Hendricks is simply finding a fun and local area to start his campaign and celebrate his birthday. As I said above, Downtown businesses are in a hard time and I agree with every person on here who says that they are under-represented. . . It’s no surprise that Shake It Up is on a waiting list.
Additionally, he isn’t promising anything by attending a business. Chill out.
How do you know? Owner just happens to speak at council the same week?
Well, Cody Hendricks birthday has been on the same date for about 32 years. . . I’m sure the only planning that went into the date was his birthday aligning with the campaigning schedule. As for her speaking, she obviously sees Cody as an ally, so why bother speaking with the counsel if she simply wants to — as you suggest — use her apparent influence to be “above the law”.
Local businesses align themselves with candidates all the time. Local businesses have needs for action all the time. I’ve read your work, you clearly are on the inside of the latest scoop, so I know that you know that this wasn’t a shocking move.
The thing about the allegations of misconduct and unfair representation that you are making is that they’re built off a structure that a candidate hosts his campaign kick-off at a prominent place in town that represents itself (going to city counsel) and wants stronger representative. The only thing Shake it Up will gain from Cody is a good leader that will actually get things done for the community and Downtown. Nothing there is unethical. As for your question of how I know, it’s because I’m an educated voter who is realistic with his expectation for politicians. Cody Hendricks isn’t perfect but nobody is, and for a politician I’d say he’s one of the few most decent people around.
Vote for him then!
At the moment I have every intention to, but the campaign is early and I want to hear from every side.
I do have a question for you, though. . . Do you know who you are voting for?
I know you are a Republican but you also preach for effective action and Dan Brady hasn’t really served everyone in the best ways. I’m sure you know this.
Since I don’t live in Bloomington I don’t get a vote
Really?? I had no idea you did not live in Bloomington. You comment on the candidates a lot, so I assumed. However, do you have an opinion on the candidates? If you had to endorse one, who would it be?
And, if it’s Dan Brady, are you satisfied with his leadership?
I Haven’t endorsed anyone
“If you had to endorse someone”. . . this isn’t an official endorsement from you I just am inquiring on your wisdom. I like to hear from all sides and you know a lot.
Did you know Cody was endorsed by a local socialist/Marxists? Since that ideology never works he wouldn’t be on my list
Firstly, who? Secondly, Marxism and Socialism are two very unique ways of ideology and governance. . . I don’t understand the slash. Also, who in this community endorsed him that is a Marxist? I’ve never seen an elected leader identify themselves with Marxism in America, in, well, ever. As for whether or not it works, socialism does not work. . . But the DSA and American Socialism are very different from ground level socialism.
Look at Canada, which is socialistic, and does well in areas. It does bad in other areas, sure, but it’s all about the balance. I’m not personally a socialist, but I see the vision and acknowledge its benefits.
Lastly, getting endorsed by anyone isn’t a reflection on the candidate. Tiger King endorsed Trump. Does that make Trump a man comparable to Tiger King? Hendricks has seen endorsements from all around the political spectrum, and I think if everyone who were considering an endorsement pulled out because of another one it would provide a really weak basis of journalism.
Imagine if you decided to endorse a fictional Candidate X. Then, right beforehand, a Democratic newspaper endorsed him. Wouldn’t you agree that all you would be doing is leaving yourself out of his agenda and front-lines if you decided to go unheard. Candidates care about who endorse them and their constituents, all you would be doing is letting yourself be represented by a candidate who otherwise wouldn’t represent you let alone need your support.
Now, this isn’t Hendricks obviously, he doesn’t need your endorsement and would represent everybody all the same, but the point I’m getting is that another persons endorsement shouldn’t be a pull out initiative but instead more reason to get in there and help the candidate and more than that, your audience. You have a loyal audience and they listen to you, give them something to listen to that will actually benefit their lives, give them HOPE in politics, not just fear from the insane far-left woke policies that seem so alien and scare them.
DSA had too much infighting to continue. The can’t even make it work. I will be posting screenshots
You’re absolutely right, the DSA did have a lot of infighting, but that had nothing to do with any of my questions. As for screenshots, you mean this thread? I’m asking because you failed to answer a single one of my questions.
Not here. Do you think Climate Change caused the California fires?
Huge fires like these happen because a combination of bad conditions at worse times. I don’t believe it was purely climate change, that’s more of an umbrella issue, and if that was the case then most areas like L.A. would be on fire because global warming is global.
The L.A. fires are likely because of the relentless drought in California, the intense hurricane-level winds and weather conditions, and storms. We also know about the Pacific Palisades and how it affected the fires.
As for the far-right remarks about the fires, I can say this: this isn’t political. Stop trying to make a deadly fire sweeping through communities and killing dozens of people about politics. Red or blue, this tragedy is a tragedy and instead of dividing ourselves even farther we need to get together and do some actual work both politically and environmentally. This goes for you, who actively attempts to blame left leadership. I’m sure you’d say a lot less if this was your family who was in these areas. Come for me because of the local election, my party, but don’t you dare attempt to use a deadly fire as a “gotcha” question.
It is political because the elected don’t value people.
If you truly feel that way, elect new people. I know that in Bloomington we have the rare chance of electing a new person, a fresh face with a fresh vision. If you feel like you aren’t represented you have the right to elect new people. Californians have the right to elect new people. But the elected have a responsibility, and that is to help them in whatever ways they can. What has the President-Elect done? Sat at Mar-A-Lago with Elonia? Perhaps paid off another P*rnstar? Oh, maybe angry tweet? Or was it letting his insane cabinet picks get blown to smithereens by the Senate? Look, once I see Trump at the scenes of these fires and actually using his millions (or Elons BILLIONS) then you can talk to me about elected officials.
And no, tragedy isn’t political. Just because the elected apparently don’t care about people, from your views, doesn’t mean it’s political. Perhaps maybe YOU could do something, like donate to relief or share some real information on how to using your platform?
Didn’t think so.
4 years ago all socialists got defeated. Cody isn’t new
You’re joking right? This is getting childish. You clearly have no understanding of what socialism and marxism is, you refuse to answer any questions, and yet you spew all sorts of lies and comments against actually effective leadership. Do you even have a comprehensive understanding of what types of governance there are or do you just slap a stigmatized version to the opposition?
You have only given me one liners on YOUR. OWN. PLATFORM. You can’t even answer questions from your audience.
This is a waste of my time and really goes to show where you are when you are asked to answer simple questions. It goes to show who you are as a writer and what this platform is. For shame.
The California fires were made worse by incompetence. The fire budget was cut, DEI means unqualified are hired, the 2nd biggest reservoir was empty for over a year. That’s the short list of failure. Cody would cut police, that is no different
The fires were made worse by strong hurricane-level winds. The fire budget was cut and I completely agree that was beyond idiotic. And, as for the budget being cut, the firefighters who are there are doing everything they can. Firefighters from across America are coming in, that’s the real story you aren’t covering.
Also, are you even aware of what DEI means? Unqualified? I don’t know what far-right BS is being fed to you but the DEI is only allowing more people (of a same or HIGHER standard) to fill out an application without discrimination. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program has allowed for diverse backgrounds to come in and it unites people. The sheer amount of innovation and good that has come from it is insane. I know it’s been politicized but at the end of the day everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, or background should be allowed to hold a job if they meet the requirements.
Oh, and as for Cody: You can’t say he’s going to cut the police simply because he’s a democrat. In fact, the majority of democrats in the area support our amazing police force. . . Which is so amazing because of the diverse backgrounds. Cody has said nothing about “cutting the police” and everything about working with them, like a good mayor would. Lying on your platform about the intentions of candidates you clearly know nothing about should be below you.
Now we know where misinformation originates. I realized years conversations are worthless with someone who doesn’t want to see facts.
Misinformation originates from your platform. As for conversations being worthless, perhaps it’s because you choose to give one-line questions and then refuse to answer any questions. Are you lazy or incompetent?
Just under your skin
So both. I’m done having this conversation, I don’t think we’re on the same level of political competence to keep this mutually beneficial. Thanks for (not) answering my questions and spreading (dis)information!
When you said the fires weren’t political we were done.
Sorry I know how much it means to your crappy journalism to make death and tragedies political.
Incompetent government killed them. I know facts are difficult unless you make them up.
The facts are always difficult when there are 27 deaths. As I said before, Trump and Elon Musk have the abilities and the assets to do something about this and instead they’re using it against Democrats. They’ve proven time and time again that they don’t care about anything other than political gain and a story, much like you.
Look, I’m not happy with the government right now. . . Red or blue I’m disappointed. But what I want more than anything else is for these fires to be contained and that takes work. So, like I suggested above, why don’t you provide a link or a story about how even us here in central Illinois can donate to the disaster relief and rebuilding.
If you’re mad at Democrats, show them what Republicans can do. I’d much rather see myself get outshined that watch as wildfires spread and destroy Los Angeles.
MercuryOne.org.org”>mercuryone.org 100% goes to relief efforts, unlike the Red Cross
Right or wrong, she knew the rules going in. I don’t feel sorry for her. If she really cares about fairness, she should fight for the moritorium to be outright terminated for every applicant. I doubt that you’re going to see that.