By: Diane Benjamin Maybe 6 are available because ISU people moved on. Uptown needs more non-student housing? Keep in mind this building would not have been built without taxpayer subsidies. https://www.liveonthecircle.com/vacancies
By: Diane Benjamin Progressives believe government creates prosperity. In Normal, that meant Uptown would magically fill with developers eager to do their bidding. Years after taxpayers were forced to fund the project, the first-floor restaurant space at 1 Uptown Circle sat empty. Two other large buildings meant to complete the circle still don’t exist after […]
By: Diane Benjamin h/t a reader This message was sent to soccer families: Hello FCCI Families, We wanted to share an exciting opportunity for our soccer community and ask for your support. The Town of Normal is currently gathering community feedback regarding the possibility of developing a large sports complex facility similar to the Rantoul […]
By: Diane Benjamin According to the Pantagraph, the underpass will be back before the Normal Town Council with an even higher bill. Monday’s agenda hasn’t been posted yet. Chris Koos and (mayor in waiting) Kevin McCarthy will never say the cost is too high. I doubt Rory Roberge or Karyn Smith will either. Saving 50 […]
By: Diane Benjamin This property was randomly picked and is the same one from previous stories: https://blnnews.com/2026/04/30/congrats-how-much-is-stolen-from-you-is-posted/ The Bloomington house increases are in this story: https://blnnews.com/2026/05/01/taxing-bodies-in-bloomington-increases/ Total taxes paid in 2025 vrs 2026: . Congrats go to the Normal voters who fell for the “property taxes will go down” if you vote for a 1% […]
By: Diane Benjamin In other words, the new property tax bills have been posted. You will never own your property, you are renting it from government. If you live in the County you will be charged for the airport without a vote by you. Springfield elected officials passed it because Dave Koehler presented it. Taxation […]
By: Diane Benjamin April 28th Meeting Packet: https://connect-transit.com/file/4167/2026%2004%2028_BoT%20Meeting%20Packet.pdf Imagine earning this much revenue in March 2026: . Now imagine how much that $100,000 cost you to earn: . $1,624,319 taxpayer dollars were spent to earn $100,211. When that number gets to $2 million tax dollars every month will people finally realize they are being robbed? […]
By: Diane Benjamin If you aren’t a subscriber to their emails, you should be: Subscribe here Last week the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released its seminal, annual Rich States, Poor States report, which ranks all 50 states on their economic competitiveness using metrics like total tax burden, labor laws and the cost of debt service. Open […]
By: Diane Benjamin Awarding a new contract to build the underpass is NOT on Monday’s agenda: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5568 Did the Council finally come to their senses? Don’t count on it. Link to just one of numerous underpass stories: https://blnnews.com/2026/03/06/normal-doesnt-have-an-underpass-contractor/ That story says the grant deadline to finish the project is June 2027, but I also heard […]
By: Diane Benjamin https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-04-15/isu-takes-part-in-campaign-to-recruit-teachers-from-other-career-fields . In other words, if you are WHITE – don’t apply. Teaching skills, including the ability to connect with students, won’t be considered. DEI discrimination is alive and well in Illinois. The lie that students can’t learn from someone with a different skin color is evil. https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2026-04-14/house-speaker-backs-millionaires-tax-but-democrats-split-over-how-much-to-devote-to-property-tax-relief . The ruling party […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Code of Ethics Normal passed last night is really cute, but it has no enforcement mechanisms. Therefore it is meaningless. Four Council members will continue to ignore the citizens who don’t want money thrown away on a $40+ million underpass. Those four will continue to vote for spending whatever it takes […]
By: Diane Benjamin Meeting is at 4:30 today. February statistics I care about, others are in the packet: See PDF page 11. New Fare Structure! And Evidently how it is collected: PDF page 4: PDF page 15: BUDGETED 2027 loss: Income: $1,752,000 Expenses: $27,632,170 27,632,170 – 1,752,000 = 25,880,170 25,880,170 / 12 = Connect Transit […]
By: Diane Benjamin PDF page 75: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5414 . The underpass is going to be even more expensive when a new contract is proposed for construction later in April. It’s possible the Town is stripping amenities to bring down the cost, all the fancy items will be added back in future years. Chris Koos, Kevin McCarthy, […]
By: Diane Benjamin The story below is the most comprehensive one I’ve seen. Mayors from more than two Illinois cities are headed to Rome on diplomatic mission that includes meeting with the Pope. Maybe Koos and Brady can give everyone a report on what they accomplished – other than site-seeing. What happened to separation of […]
By: Diane Benjamin Below was the original vote where the contractor was awarded the contract and later backed out: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5441 . WGLT reported the Town is now going to consider spending $33.7 million to lure the other original bidder to take the project: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-03-11/new-underpass-draft-bid-in-normal-is-higher-than-the-one-approved-in-november More “wants” will probably be cut to lower that price. In […]
If you thought Chris Koos would abandon the way-to-expensive underpass, you’d be wrong. The cost will be even higher.
By: Diane Benjamin Yesterday’s story was updated with a few things I found in the FOIA request: https://blnnews.com/2026/03/06/normal-doesnt-have-an-underpass-contractor/ Did you know Normal originally stated taxpayers were funding 9% of the project and now it’s 37%? Click the above story! WGLT finally did their own underpass story. On Facebook it has over 100 comments, most want […]
By: Diane Benjamin If you could read between the lines, this story told you: https://blnnews.com/2026/02/24/where-is-the-underpass-normal/ Last October the Normal Council awarded the construction contract to a company in Missouri instead of a local bidder: https://www.millstoneweber.com/ Millstone Weber backed out of the contract early this year. I have a FOIA pending for the emails. Since their […]
By: Diane Benjamin I found this while looking for who went on the One Voice trip to Washington DC: . The Lorenz donation was a pass-thru from someone who wanted to remain anonymous, it wasn’t from the Republican Party. Smart? Nope. Bloomington is beholding to the Democrat Party thanks to Cody Hendricks and Jenna Kearns. […]
By: Diane Benjamin I wonder if Chris Koos or Pam Reece has anything to announce at tonight’s meeting? It looks like a 10 minute meeting: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5523 Flashback to November 3, 2025 meeting: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5414 Underpass project cost: $40,300,920 PDF page 136: Clark Dietz was hired to oversee construction. PDF page 147: . It’s now March and […]
By: Diane Benjamin November 3, 2025 meeting: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5414 On the agenda: . From PDF page 106 The bid is only 4 months away from 1 year old. Construction still hasn’t started. On the same page: Is Millstone Weber still going to do the work Normal? How are you planning on completing this massive project by […]
By: Diane Benjamin I don’t know the guy who wrote this, but I do know Jeanne Ives – former State representative: . Bloomington staff has complained about this one forever. The Illinois Municipal League has a good explanation of FGDF on their website: https://www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=15419 Bloomington used to receive 10% of all income taxes the State […]
By: Diane Benjamin WGLT is not allowed to sell advertising. What did The Town of Normal pay WGLT to do? (2025 data isn’t available yet) https://www.openthebooks.com/search-results/details/?n=Wglt-Normal&e=73583&t=c&burl=%2Fsearch-results%2F%3Ft%3Dc%26F_Name_S%3DWGLT%26F_State%3DIllinois%26F_Year%3D0 . Has WGLT applied for State of Illinois money? If you don’t know about the plan Springfield passed to subsidize media, read up on it: https://dceo.illinois.gov/expandrelocate/incentives/taxassistance/new-journalism-tax-incentive-program.html Yes, non-profit media […]
By: Diane Benjamin I write and research stories based on: This story was spurred by a reader. They wanted to know how much water Rivian used since we are in a drought. My first thought was Rivian uses Normal’s water since the plant is in Normal. I decided to ask Bloomington anyway since the reader […]
By: Diane Benjamin Bloomington has alluded to State cuts before but they have never provided actual numbers (that I remember). Cities across Illinois used to receive 10% of the money the State collected in local income taxes. Lawmakers reduced that to 7% in 2012. This story allows people to see how much that has cost […]
By: Diane Benjamin Story on Bloomington’s water and contaminates: https://blnnews.com/2025/12/10/bloomington-water-quality-2024-report/ Don’t forget this fact: What is in Normal’s water? https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/system.php?pws=IL1130900 . See more details at the EWG website which includes recommended filters to remove these chemicals. Did you notice how many cause cancer but have no legal limit? How much are you paying for water? […]
By: Diane Benjamin Update to this story: https://blnnews.com/2025/12/10/how-much-does-normal-charge-hudson-lexington-and-towanda/ I asked the Town Clerk a simple question about the FOIA I filed: Security Key:2491BAE5 Reference Number:RR-1767-2025 Can you tell me what fund this revenue goes to? This is the response I received from Clerk, Angie Huonker: Hi Diane, The deposit account (001-0000-341.16-00) is the “Charge for […]
By: Diane Benjamin I filed a FOIA request to find out how much revenue Normal received from providing fire related services to Hudson, Lexington, and Towanda. Remember, when Normal is running calls outside of Normal they aren’t available to run calls in Normal. The timeline for my FOIA was 1/1/2023 – 12/1/2025. That amounts to […]
By: Diane Benjamin A special meeting is being held tonight. Since only the Agenda is posted with NO documentation, it’s likely safe to assume the answer is Yes. https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5453 There is no packet posted explaining what this means: Nothing about property taxes was on the December 1st meeting agenda. Don’t fall for “the rate will […]
By: Diane Benjamin Adding to this story: https://blnnews.com/2025/12/02/normal-fire-department-start-here/ The two calendars below have additional information. The RED Bloomington are mutual aid calls showing Bloomington responding to calls in Normal. When Bloomington is listed more than once it is because they ran calls more than once. . PDF page 210: https://www.normalil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28107/Annual-Comprehensive-Financial-Report-for-the-fiscal-year-ending-March-31-2025—locked?bidId= This chart shows the number […]
Part 2: https://blnnews.com/2025/12/02/normal-fire-department-part-2/ By: Diane Benjamin Normal residents are concerned about the closing of the College Avenue fire station when they move to the new station east of Menards. That prompted me to look further into operations. This is going to take more than one story, so stay tuned. I sent a FOIA to Normal […]
By: Diane Benjamin I know most residents of Normal don’t care or they would quit electing the same people over and over, but just for the few who do care: https://www.25newsnow.com/2025/12/01/normal-city-manager-line-49-raise-topping-what-peoria-bloomington-managers-make Quotes: Normal Mayor Chris Koos is recommending a 4.9% pay raise for City Manager Pam Reece, which would lift her base salary above what […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Town used the same tax scam recapped in the previous story: https://blnnews.com/2025/11/20/property-tax-scams/ WGLT gladly played along: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-11-18/normal-town-council-discusses-2025-tax-levy-during-sometimes-tense-meeting . That $280,000 home isn’t $280,000 now. Your Town of Normal property tax bill will increase MORE than $48. It would have been nice if Trustee Preston had mentioned that, he didn’t. Worse, they […]
By: Diane Benjamin The families of murder victims deserve justice. The families of Jennifer Lockmiller and Carol Rofstad deserve justice and haven’t received it. Has the DNA from Jennifer Lockmiller been uploaded to CODIS? Is any DNA available from the Carol Rofstad case? If you don’t know what CODIS is? https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/dna-fingerprint-act-of-2005-expungement-policy/codis-and-ndis-fact-sheet If CODIS doesn’t have […]
By: Diane Benjamin The current Sales tax rate is 10.25, if Pritzker signs the bill it increases to 10.5% Read more: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicagos-high-sales-taxes-about-to-increase-to-no-1-in-nation/ Bloomington and Normal have the same Sales Tax rate – 9.75%: . Aren’t you proud the local Sales Tax rate almost matches Chicago? The 1% School Facilities Tax was put on a local […]
By: Diane Benjamin I have stated many times I rarely cross Veterans Parkway. I also avoid driving Veterans Parkway. Is anyone seriously thinking of reducing it from 6 lanes to 4? Why does that make me think of the people who wanted to build an East side bypass? Do planners want people crying for a […]
By: Diane Benjamin 10 people spoke at public comment. Of course the first 3 or 4 were Koos supporters who always show up to support more spending. The room was packed – standing room only and they stayed for the whole meeting. No, I didn’t watch the entire 2 1/12 hour discussion. I didn’t have […]
By: Diane Benjamin Review this story about the underpass, it has lots of the underpass history: https://blnnews.com/2024/11/27/normals-underpass-history/ See the email in that story. The underpass SAVES 50 FEET for the low cost of $40,000,000+. Tonight’s Packet PDF page 76: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5414 Social media comments have destroyed Koos and Company ever since this idea was floated: . […]
By: Diane Benjamin According to this story the Normal Council held a special meeting last night: https://www.wglt.org/politics-and-government/2025-10-30/completing-uptown-normal-underpass-to-require-tax-hikes?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook The project is unaffordable, so staff wants to raise taxes. Drivers stuck behind trains blocking the tracks can watch walkers and bikers go under the tracks. Keep in mind Normal could have had a FREE overpass years ago […]
By: Diane Benjamin https://www.nhipdata.org/local/upload/file/2024-HIC-Counts-by-State%20-%20Housing%20Efficiency.pdf The National Homeless Project Issued this document in 2025. Bloomington/Central Il is listed on PDF page 3: . Same report from 2019: https://www.nhipdata.org/local/upload/file/Success%20Formula%20-%20by%20CoC%202019.pdf PDF page 7: . These reports show homelessness is down from 2019 and the number who have found permanent housing is much higher now. These pictures are from […]
