By: Diane Benjamin 1) Diana Hauman made a drive-by comment to me as she left the data center meeting. She thinks I need to know more about the League of Women Voters before writing about them. I spontaneously burst out laughing! I’ve been writing about the LWV since 2013. See every story at this link: […]
Update: It is legal for townships to pass budgets late. Evidently lawmakers in Illinois think township officials aren’t capable of better. by: Diane Benjamin Remember this one? . Doesn’t this sound like Krystle needs a lot of time off? Why until August 15th? Who gets paid for doing the Supervisor job if the elected Supervisor […]
By: Diane Benjamin Facebook comments to this story are below, it has a slightly different name on Facebook: https://www.wglt.org/2026-04-26/politics-chat-trump-rushed-away-from-the-white-house-correspondents-dinner The left isn’t smart enough to realize if Trump was implicated in the Epstein files Democrats would have used it against him in the 2024 election. He wasn’t, in fact the released data clears him. Most […]
By: Diane Benjamin Below is an email that was sent and answered in March by William Bessler to McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael on behalf of the Finance Committee. The chair of that committee, Val Laymon, at least one other committee member, and administration also received the response from Kathy Michael. Bessler’s questions are listed […]
Illini Central High School is a public school located in MASON CITY, IL. It has 190 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1. According to state test scores, 10% of students are at least proficient in math and 25% in reading. Each teacher has 10 kids and that’s called education? […]
By: Diane Benjamin I love when attack dogs show how they think by leaving comments here. This one was last night while I was sound asleep at almost 11:00pm: Yes totally ignore the total corruption coming out of the McLean County Clerk office. Missing money, A guy that worked for the Clerks office had porn […]
I wrote the story in 2018: https://blnnews.com/2018/07/07/bloomington-is-at-war-thanks-to-tari/ It got a LOT of reads in 2018, but it has been read to varying degrees every year since. A month and a half into 2026 and it already has more reads than it had in 2018. Nothing in that article should be a surprise if you were […]
By: Diane Benjamin Two of the previous stories in case you forgot: Is There Fraud In Illinois Child Care Spending? You Are Paying Child Care Costs For Illegal Aliens The INCCRRA website has a data request form and a list of what information can be requested. See this link: https://www.inccrra.org/images/datareports/04-07-16_Data_Request_Form.pdf I requested data for McLean […]
By: Diane Benjamin This is the article that needs some work: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-10-30/new-report-cards-show-fewer-exemplary-b-n-schools-and-more-with-struggling-student-groups The “new report cards” are based on results from LAST SCHOOL YEAR. The article fails to mention that fact, reading it makes it sound like the information is current. Results from kids now in school won’t be known until the kids are tested […]
By: Diane Benjamin H/t a reader https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/community-fight-hate-bullying Not In Our Town doesn’t fight hate and bullying in Bloomington-Normal. They fight what THEY consider hate and bullying. Just in the last few months Not In Our Town said NOTHING about: NIOT are frauds and so is anyone who was coerced into signing their stupid pledge card. […]
By: Diane Benjamin Read to the bottom of this one! Getting millions of tax dollars and tax breaks requires transparency. Rivian stopped providing even the basics. We have no idea how many employees work in Normal because they stopped saying: https://wirepoints.org/after-getting-millions-in-tax-breaks-rivian-now-wont-say-how-many-people-work-in-normal-wglt-npr-at-isu/ Do you know Rivian just settled a lawsuit for $250,000,000? https://www.rttnews.com/3585443/rivian-automotive-reaches-250-mln-settlement-in-securities-class-action.aspx 600 employees across […]
By: Diane Benjamin Last night’s agenda is here: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1482 I can’t wait for property bills next year. I can’t wait to hear how much property taxes increase because those who bothered to vote were conned into believing their property taxes would decrease if the 1% Sales Tax increase passed. Still no word from the State’s […]
By: Diane Benjamin See PDF page 20: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1087/files/agenda/6753 The documentation doesn’t make it clear what the owner of the vacant property wants to build: . The only way to understand what is happening is to read this story: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2023-06-02/long-term-plan-to-help-the-homeless-lives-short-life-on-bloomingtons-northwest-side Excepts: Chris Collins said he invited people to sleep on land he owned in a Bloomington […]
By: Diane Benjamin Law enforcement is forced by the Illinois government to release criminal illegal aliens, what does that tell you? It should shout citizens and their safety are immaterial. Illinois loves criminals, especially if they are in the country illegally. They will obstruct ICE efforts to deport them. https://cis.org/Vaughan/Which-Sanctuary-Jurisdictions-Have-Released-Most-Criminals That story recaps the top […]
By: Diane Benjamin If you missed yesterday’s story, read it now: https://blnnews.com/2025/08/05/bloomington-quit-celebrating-mlk-day/ Many of the leaders of this Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion event are associated with Illinois State University. That is important to remember while reading this story: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-08-05/isu-to-digest-u-s-attorney-generals-message-on-unlawful-dei ISU is figuring out how to comply with demands to end unlawful discrimination. The US Attorney […]
By: Diane Benjamin WGLT posted this NPR story: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/15/g-s1-77658/national-poll-shows-widespread-american-support-for-federally-funded-public-radio As the title states, a national poll showed widespread support for tax dollar funded public radio. Of course NPR says federally funded instead of tax dollar. You have to read to the bottom of the story to find out the survey was conducted on-line. The story […]
By: Diane Benjamin Locally we still haven’t been told when the airport is going to start taxing the county. If you forgot, Democrats got that passed in Springfield with members that don’t represent rural McLean County. That used to be called Taxation Without Representation. Assessed values are about to go up again. Since the area […]
By: Diane Benjamin Someday when I have time I’m going to look for my ISU graduation certificate so I can burn it. It has to do with stories like this: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-07-14/isu-scholar-expects-birthright-citizenship-will-be-upheld-after-confusion-and-harm?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook Missing from the story is the background of why the 14th Amendment was passed. It’s not easy to add an amendment, so why it […]
By: Diane Benjamin Last Friday I attended the annual Corn Belt Energy meeting. These aren’t boring, they throw in enough humor and fun to keep my interest. (Which they wouldn’t if all they did was read financial statements!) I found out why Corn Belt rates aren’t skyrocketing while Ameren rates are. Corn Belt buys electricity […]
By: Diane Benjamin Send thank you cards to the green weenies who think wind and solar can produce the electricity we need. Neither can as evidenced by the new interest in nuclear energy because of the massive amount of electricity needed by AI. Green has always been a scam to limit your access and raise […]
By: Diane Benjamin Illinois layoffs: https://www.illinoisworknet.com/LayoffRecovery/Pages/IllinoisWARNData.aspx What’s the explanation for this one? Click on the blue – “plant closure”. . Medicaid cuts, if passed, only apply to illegals and able-bodied people capable of working but chose not to. Medicare isn’t being cut unless the recipient is here illegally. Maybe Pritzker’s budget that doesn’t provide free […]
By: Diane Benjamin Lots of local media was in the Council Chambers for Monday night’s meeting. Not one member of the media requested copies of what Jackie Beyer showed at Public comment. City Code is law in Bloomington, allowing violations means more violations will occur in the future. https://blnnews.com/2025/04/15/too-chicken-mboka/ Did media cover any violations? WGLT […]
By: Diane Benjamin 1) The Vidette finally published a story late yesterday on Charlie Kirk’s ISU rally: https://www.videtteonline.com Charlie Kirk Creates a Stir at Illinois State University with Open Discussion The reporter included comments from students who attended as well as Kirk’s opening remarks. Also included was the proverbial “racists” label that gets thrown at […]
By: Diane Benjamin According to the Vidette website: https://www.videtteonline.com/ The “Student Voice” has written NOTHING about the massive gathering on their campus yesterday. These are the top 2 stories under NEWS: The Vidette has joined the ranks of FAKE NEWS. Congrats Maybe the staff doesn’t get out of bed until mid afternoon. Keep in mind […]
By: Diane Benjamin https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-03-04/housing-water-taxes-take-center-stage-at-bloomington-mayoral-forum Remember when environmentalists cried over countries carving farmland into the Amazon Rainforest? You won’t find old media reporting this, look on X. . How does Cody explain this destruction so people can get to a Climate Summit? What about “Ban natural gas” Chris Koos? The propaganda has always been to take […]
By: Diane Benjamin Anyone think schools are pushing too hard for the 1% Sales Tax increase? https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-03-05/retired-educator-barry-reilly-leads-campaign-to-support-sales-tax-for-mclean-county-schools Former District 87 superintendent Barry Reilly is heading a committee to convince you to agree to higher taxes. You need to know Reilly is collecting a HUGE MONTHLY pension: https://www.openthebooks.com/members/employer-detail/?Id=70989&tab=2&F_Name_P=Reilly&Year_P=0 He is collecting more than $205,000 a year […]
By: Diane Benjamin Below is the report the County received from the law firm it hired to investigate allegations made by a former employee regarding the solicitation of money on County property. Of course, the complete list of contributors was not reviewed. The elected officials and/or county employees who contributed to the effort to abolish […]
By: Diane Benjamin All of the tools now available to research State and Local spending fascinate me. I’ve been investigating rabbit holes since 6:30 am. I need a break! My eye is now totally healed except for a small bubble the doc put in my eye to hold the repair together. It will dissipate on […]
By: Diane Benjamin From Illinois Sunshine – the easiest place to find campaign contributions: https://tinyurl.com/mrytamr6 Who is Local Jobs & Economic Development Fund? It isn’t local. The office is in Dover Delaware. Why does anyone in Dover care about McLean County elections and why did they give $10,000 to Democrat County Board candidate Jim Rogal? […]
By: Diane Benjamin Remember this meeting? . Don’t look for video because the library has no way of broadcasting or taping meetings. Expect more meetings to be held there when transparency isn’t wanted. If you just want the basics about this meeting, read any media recap like this one: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2024-08-29/police-leaders-field-questions-from-the-public-on-hiring-accountability?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook If you want more keep […]
By: Diane Benjamin It is likely your public school didn’t tell you the Pilgrims tried socialism/collectivism and found out it didn’t work. https://www.aier.org/article/the-pilgrims-tried-socialism-and-it-failed/ McLean County used to be a beacon of freedom, after the November elections the county will probably have a County Board control by socialists/collectivists, also called Democrats. Lucky you! Your tax dollars […]
By: Diane Benjamin I posted a screen shot of the US Debt Clock on July 29th. That was TWELVE days ago. US National Debt then was $35,003,234,351,843. Debt per citizen was $103,827. Today it is $104,225. Debt today: By the end of today the Federal government will have added $150 BILLION to the debt in […]
By: Diane Benjamin This country is not a democracy because democracies don’t protect the rights of individuals. A representative Republic does because it protects the minority from the tyranny of the majority. The national LWV held a convention and produced this: . If the Electoral College is dismantled the only voices that will matter will […]
By: Diane Benjamin Memorial Day was set aside to remember those who died for our country. They took an oath to the Constitution which of course includes the Bill of Rights. The 1st Amendment includes Freedom of the Press. People recognize fake news when they hear or see it. It’s not difficult to notice the […]
By: Diane Benjamin See this WGLT story: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2024-04-30/isu-students-set-up-pro-palestinian-tent-encampment-on-quad The pictures say all you need to know about the “protesters”: They are all wearing masks outside on a beautiful day: Why wear masks? There is only one reason: To hide their identity. ISU has a “microaggression” policy. The protest is more of a macro-aggression against jewish […]
By: Diane Benjamin Maybe the League of Women Voters can investigate since they think they are the arbiter of truth: https://blnnews.com/2024/04/01/league-of-women-voters-squash-the-1st-amendment/ See this WGLT story: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2024-04-12/mclean-county-clerk-addresses-disability-voting-incident-at-county-board-meeting Skip down to the Amendments sections: The Board didn’t vote to “relax” anything. They didn’t “waive” anything. The Attorney General ruled Public Comment policy that was in effect was: […]
By: Diane Benjamin April 28th will mark 12 years for BlnNews.com. I only started writing because I saw lousy local reporting on things that matter. The 1st Amendment guarantees Freedom of the Press – unless government has other plans. There is a hearing going on today in the House because they are considering a Press […]
By: Diane Benjamin People lie. Politicians lie. Freedom of Speech is written into the 1st Amendment because the authors thought people were smart enough to hear all sides, inform themselves, and then make decisions based on informed thought. There is no such thing and Mis and Dis information. There are only elites who want to […]
By: Diane Benjamin Alderman Tom Crumpler gave an impassioned speech pertaining to the plight of illegals and local housing. Of course his version is “migrants”. He based his comments on this WGLT story: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2024-03-22/it-is-difficult-right-now-housing-coalition-cites-ongoing-challenges-in-bloomington-normal A couple of points that are evidently way over Tom’s head: “Migrants” are abused long before they illegally enter the country. […]
By: Diane Benjamin I mentioned in this story a reader told me he/she witnessed an electric Connect Transit bus being towed: https://blnnews.com/2024/03/04/two-things-i-wish-i-had-pics-of/ It turns out it wasn’t an electric bus. Obtained by FOIA: Connect Transit is forced to use OLD buses because the new electric fleet is junk. In case you can’t read that email, […]
