By: Diane Benjamin
Remember when Tari Renner’s rubber stamp Council passed a 1% Sales Tax increase? https://blnnews.com/2015/09/16/taxes-increases-would-be-easier-with-truth/
The County wanted a 1/4% for “mental health”. Instead Bloomington raised Sales Tax 1% and took 3/4% for themselves. I believe this tax was mostly to fund the jail expansion but since “mental health” is always the reason given for payments, I’ll use that term.
Normal also raised their Sales Tax 1% with part going to the County too
So far in 2025, Bloomington has made these payments: https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/departments/finance/bills-and-payroll-reports/-folder-2183#docfold_2416_6572_1154_2183
1/13
1/27
3/10
3/24
5/12
.
Last fall the County decided how this money is spent is none of your business. The Behavior Health Coordinating Council was formed for that task. Somehow they made themselves not subject to FOIA. https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2024-10-07/behavioral-health-council-meetings-are-going-private-members-say-its-for-the-best
This month WGLT reported the County Executive Committee decided the BHCC could spend $1.3 million on the cabins Home Sweet Home wants to build to shelter homeless. https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-06-09/mclean-county-board-executive-committee-unanimously-approves-request-for-money-for-shelter-village-in-bloomington
The result is taxpayers of both Bloomington and Normal are paying for this project. I expect frequent reports on how many people have reentered society because of the generosity of citizens.
Now you know you were generous thanks to government forcing you to be.
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Since it appears that HSH will or is receiving public funding, I’d be interested to know –
What are the funding sources for this housing?
Will the costs also include mental health or addiction services for residents?
Will we also be purchasing security and community policing?
Will we be paying for on site management?
Will residents have work requirements to qualify for a house?
Will we be housing criminals and/or drug addicts?
Who and how will residents be selected?
Will background checks be required?
How will we prevent this from becoming permanent housing?
How will we prevent this community from becoming a shantytown?
How will conflicts within the tiny house community be handled?
Will this free housing draw homeless from other cities and therefore not reduce tent habitants?
Is it likely that more free housing will be needed in the future?
Will there be curfews and visitor policies?
Has any of this been considered ahead of time?
If it has maybe the citizens/tax payers should hear about it.
As presented by HSHM, total capital cost for construction is $2.5M, Operations is $700K. The cost to purchase the property from Connect Transit has not been disclosed. HSHM is soliciting private donations and is supposedly partnering with local mental health providers from BHCC, of which Matt is a member, to offer social services.
It is my understanding that the County in the past entered into a limited contract with specific metrics for those requesting taxpayer dollars. Who knows what the current County Board members will do.
I’m all for helping those who are going through a tough stage in life. However, this concept seems to have very little obligation on the part of the resident to improve their long term living conditions.
I would much rather see the money go towards assisting with job placement and integrating them into their own living quarters, by assisting them with living expenses on a declining scale over time.
History shows that with no skin in the game there is little chance of long term success. Let’s help, not enable.
It’s time for people to wake up about the tent encampment problem and what to do about it. This proposal does not equip people to get out of a lifestyle of homelessness. It further enables it, even encourages it and makes it all the more easier for people to live a homeless lifestyle.
People need to understand that this is a lifestyle choice for many of the people living this way. The only way to combat it, is to restrict it so that people do everything possible to avoid it. This proposal just further encourages it.
I’m speaking here as someone who has been active in trying to address the needs of those occupying the tent encampment. Many people today actually do see homelessness and even living in a tent as a viable option for them. Our society today has made it all too easy for people not to take responsibility for their actions and lifestyle. Daily decisions determine one’s destiny and without a moral framework of right and wrong people will continue to make bad choices.
We are now seeing the effects of legalizing drugs (Cannabis dispensaries), and removal of cash bail. This problem is only going to grow. When this doesn’t work out (it is doomed for failure), they’ll be looking at another option to bleed taxpayers dry. If government is your mother; this is your child.
BHCC (Behavioral Health Coordinating Council)) IN REVIEW:
IGA: dated April 1, 2016, (Ordinance #2105-62, passed 9/21/15)
• Terms: Begin on April 1, 2016 and continues through May 31, 2036 for Bond debit, Mental Health services in the Jail and Community
• City & Town nominate one representative, each. County assogns
• How money can be spent:
o Debt Services
o Criminal Justice Services related to detention facilities operations
o Community Behavioral Health initiatives from the MHAP
o Provisions for electronic integrated case management system to be used by public safety agencies.
• County is to provide an annual financial report upon request.
o City and Town both received a copy of the 2024 Intergovernmental Report for the County Special Mental Health and Public Safety Fund.
MHAP (Mental Health Action Plan (Rev. 2022) is to be implemented by BHCC based on priorities of the members of the BHCC which consist of (non-elected) Behavioral Health providers who do not determine funding, therefore the meeting is not subject to OMA.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/22842/MHAP-2022?bidId=
COUNTY ORDINANCES; Chapter 12: https://ecode360.com/13446906
• Restructuring of BHCC in 2024
FAC: (Fund Advisory Committee):This committee is subject to OMA. The meetings are recorded, have public comment available and information is posted on the County website, and is FIOAble.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/2050/Mental-Health-and-Public-Safety-Fund-Adv
• FAC Meering 2/3/25: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10728
• Funding for Shelter Village has been recommended and RFP has been issued.
The process is, MH provers present their prioritized recommendations to FAC, made up of elected officials, who recommend approval and funding to the County Board. RFPs are issued, reviewed and presented to the County Board for allocation of funds.
BHCC MEMBERSHIP: Community Mental Health Service Providers, plus one elected official from each City, Town, and County. https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10354
Role of BHCC City Appointee:
• Attend Quarterly Meetings and Strategic Planning Meeting(s)
• liaison between BHCC and City Administration/Council
• Serve on FAC which makes funding recommendations to County Board based BHCC recommended Strategic Priorities set forth in the MHAP.
BHCC MISSION: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/1304/Behavioral-Health
BUDGET FY25: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28150/2025-Adopted-Budget PDF page 5-6
Also,
In Bloomington, 1/4% of the 1% Sales Tax increase is allocated to road repair along with LMFT.
The Town of Normal initiated the 1 % sales tax increase because they wanted to build a soccer complex, as promoted by Kathleen Lorenz, who BTW, now works at HSHM.
Spending tax dollars with elected people on the board shouldn’t exempt them from FOIA.
So when they come to take my house for not being able to pay the taxes that they want will I be able to stay in one of their little homes? Just asking!!!