By: Diane Benjamin

Since the children in charge can’t fix what they created, below are some facts for them to conside.

First, read this story: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-09-28/sales-tax-dispute-reignites-between-mclean-county-and-bloomington-and-normal

Bloomington, Normal, and the County might end up in court. Of course that just wastes money – tax dollars will be paying the bills.

Who originally negotiated this 20 year deal?

In Bloomington the City lawyer was Jeff Jurgens – now the City manager. The mayor was Tari Renner.

In Normal the Town Lawyer was Brian Day – now Assistant City Manager. The mayor was Chris Koos.

These two lawyers failed to include any language about who got the earned interest revenue. The County decided it was theirs.

These two failed to consider a cap on the amount of money each would hand over to the County.

Did you read the story?

Neither of these “lawyers” want the money returned to the people it was stolen from! That would be taxpayers. We had our Sales Tax rate increased to fund “mental health”. In case you forgot, the County only got 1/4% of the 1% increases. Bloomington and Normal got the rest.

This Intergovernmental Agreement is rock solid. It is a 20 year agreement because that is how long it will take to pay off the jail expansion.

If Bloomington and Normal want to waste money fighting the County in court, they will be wasting OUR money. They aren’t worried about money though, they can raise your taxes anytime they want.

If you think the Sales Tax rate will decrease when the IGA expires, you need mental health treatment. Elections have consequences, especially when few people bother to vote in local elections. Your vote in presidential elections has a minor impact, not voting in local elections can destroy you. Early 2027 gives you another chance.