By: Diane Benjamin The only reason I FOIAd’s the State Police report for the accident involving the Normal West student who died earlier this year was because of a tip from a reader. If you didn’t know, the driver of the vehicle who hit her was the son of Bloomington’s Fire Chief, Brian Mohr. Mitchel […]
ISU: Teaching Tribalism
May 11, 2018 by 13 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Why is it impossible to talk to each other these days? Many times it’s because people retreat to their corner and refuse to listen to any points of view that conflict with what they were taught or what they think they believe. Common sense and rational thoughts must be attacked if doesn’t […]
The latest in “Laws Don’t Matter”
May 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment
By: Diane Benjamin On May 1, 2018, the Village of Mackinaw held a retirement party for their fake cop. Robert Davies collected a police officer salary and now a police officer pension without being qualified to be a police officer in the State of Illinois. It looks like the State’s Attorney for Tazewell County is […]
Normal’s Pension Problem (and Bloomington)
May 3, 2018 by 8 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin The Town of Normal has to pay into three pension funds: IMRF, Police, and Fire. The funding for IMRF isn’t horrible, Police and Fire are. What does that say about who the Town management and Council respect and who they don’t? I’m sure you remember property taxes being raised year after year […]
Good News!
April 18, 2018 by 7 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin One of the worst roads in Bloomington is getting fixed! Clinton – if you didn’t know it’s a State road. I hear they are moving fast. You might want to avoid using it until it’s done however. . . . . .
Connect Transit fuzzy math?
April 16, 2018 by 16 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin WGLT posted a story about Connect Transit a few days ago. The author listed is a student along with Charlie Schlenker. See it here: http://wglt.org/post/connect-transit-eyes-locations-downtown-transfer-center Connect still looking for places to build a downtown transfer station. Isaac Thorne wants a place for 10 buses to park at the same time! He claims the […]
Legalize Marijuana? Think First!
April 5, 2018 by 63 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Last night I attended a meeting discussing the effects legalizing marijuana has had on Colorado. It isn’t a pretty picture. First, before anybody says it’s no different from alcohol: 1 beer doesn’t impair the user. One joint does. THC also stays in the blood stream for 2-3 days, alcohol doesn’t. WAY too […]
District 87 – Useless inspection
March 22, 2018 by 6 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin I’ve never understood the logic of scheduling an inspection if the intent is to see what it really happening. Is the real reason to show complete compliance instead of reality? The email below is from the principal of BHS to all staff. It was received by FOIA. “ROE Inspection” is Regional Office […]
Motivation Required
March 21, 2018 by 8 Comments
I’m sitting here with a 4 inch stack of FOIA request to go through as well as numerous massive digital requests I just received. I’ve got at least two huge investigations going without a State’s Attorney in sight willing to prosecute. The Public Access office won’t acknowledge receiving a Request for Review I filed 3 […]
Say hello to Governor JB
March 21, 2018 by 20 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Bruce Rauner will not be able to recover. In his acceptance speech he said Jeanne Ives ran a principled campaign. He didn’t. Illinois is much worse since Rauner has been governor, he doesn’t deserve 4 more years. Besides the lies he told during the campaign, he is responsible for making Illinois a […]
Bruce Rauner is a LIAR!
March 14, 2018 by 9 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin I’m still running into people who have fallen for the lies the media is allowing Bruce Rauner to spew about Jeanne Ives! Ask yourself why she would run against Rauner if she is in Madigan’s pocket? Rauner gave Madigan everything he wanted: Income tax increase Illinois made a Sanctuary State taxpayer-funded abortions! […]
Dan Brady
March 7, 2018 by 2 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin The next time you see Dan, ask him who he is supporting for governor. I hear he won’t answer that question. Maybe the reason is because the House GOP gave him $27,080 since February. The Illinois GOP is backing the worst Republican Governor in the country according to National Review last December: https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2017/12/18/bruce-rauner-illinois-worst-republican-governor-america/ […]
Media is destroying democracy! (Rauner)
March 6, 2018 by 8 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin We aren’t a democracy, but I might as well use the language of the left. It fits. It’s bad enough the Pantagraph refuses to do investigative reporting, but now the media is threatening to throw an election for MONEY. Cities 92.9 knows Bruce Rauner is lying in his endlessly running commercial claiming […]
#TimesUp / #MeToo – not in Illinois!
March 5, 2018 by 2 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin The Chicago Tribune has been doing great reporting and editorials on Mike Madigan’s problem: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-madigan-harassment-investigation-springfield-20180301-story.html Excerpt: I’m glad Madigan refuses to resign. He doesn’t think hiding allegations of wide-spread sexual abuse in Springfield means he should. After he is re-elected by his precinct in November, Democrats will need to vote him back […]
FRIDAY: GOP AG candidate in town
March 1, 2018 by 3 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Election season is heating up – it’s your JOB to know the candidates before you vote! I’m not sold on Erika Herald as the GOP candidate for Attorney General, mostly because she is backed by Bruce Rauner. Side note: Why would anyone vote for Rauner when we KNOW he will lose in […]
Stand for your Right SUNDAY
March 1, 2018 by 8 Comments
Update: Guns Save Lives will be participating: http://www.gunssavelife.com/join-us-guns-rights-rally-sunday-bloomington-il/ By: Diane Benjamin We have a GOD-given RIGHT to protect ourselves. That RIGHT is enshrined in the Constitution. Sunday 1:30 in front of the BCPA in Bloomington: Stand up for your 2nd Amendment RIGHT. Bring signs and flags. The rally should last until 3:00 I will be […]
Get Scott Laughlin some gun facts!
February 28, 2018 by 8 Comments
The 2nd amendment wasn’t written when the only guns were muskets! Scott Laughlin thinks today’s guns don’t qualify as a right. He needs to know HISTORY. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/04/03/firearms-technology-and-the-original-meaning-of-the-second-amendment/?utm_term=.78e56d448119 Excepts: Gun-control advocates often argue that gun-control laws must be more restrictive than the original meaning of the Second Amendment would allow, because modern firearms are so different […]
IL GUN DAY WEDNESDAY:
February 26, 2018 by 3 Comments
Reprinted with permission from Guns Save Lives: http://www.gunssavelife.com/il-gun-day-wednesday-age-limits-bump-stock-ban-extended-waiting-periods-ban-body-armor-high-caliber-ammo/ Age limits, bump stock ban, extended waiting periods and a ban on body armor and “high caliber” ammo Mike Madigan has quite a lineup ready for Illinois’ residents this Wednesday. Despite government’s failure in Florida to protect those kids from a savage sicko, Madigan and the Chicago Democrat […]
More problems: Statement of Economic Interest
December 31, 2017 by 4 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin I filed a FOIA request for all Statements of Economic Interests filed by candidates in 2017 with the County Clerk’s office. This is the file I received: candidates SEI 2017 filings I compared the people who filed the SEI with the candidate list on the County Clerk’s website: http://www.mcleancountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10946 Only one candidate is missing: Rebecca […]
“Welcoming Ordinance” Glitch
November 30, 2017 by 17 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Not In Our Town didn’t care when the mayor of Bloomington abused numerous citizens with vile comments. They didn’t care when he attacked an elected alderman. He used his position to intimidate people with different opinions. How is that any different than Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, and Harvey Weinstein? Because sex isn’t […]
$7000 for one day
November 20, 2017 by 1 Comment
By: Diane Benjamin On November 6, 2017 Normal had this payment on the meeting documentation: http://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2772 I filed a Freedom of Information request for details. See the response here: Invoice for Camp Workshop CAMP stands for Commissioner Assistance & Mentoring Program. The full name of the Payee is National Alliance of Preservation Commissions.. It looks like Normal […]
Atlanta Library gets a “free” building
November 17, 2017 by 4 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Video here: https://blnnews.com/2017/11/17/video-atlanta-library-meeting-11-16-2017/ This meeting was rescheduled from last Thursday when the Agenda had not been posted as required under the Open Meetings Act. No one who spoke during Public Comment was excited about the “Donation of Union Hall” agenda item. The best comment was made by a gentleman who ended his remarks […]
Why jobs and people leave Illinois
November 13, 2017 by 4 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin The Technology and Manufacturing Association released their Legislative Scorecard today showing legislative support in Illinois for manufacturing. From the report: Illinois has been at the heart of transportation, distribution, and manufacturing for decades. Yet, we are losing one resident every 4.6 minutes – 114,000 in 2016 alone. Those moving out of state include members […]
Dump Rauner for Jeanne Ives
November 1, 2017 by 4 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Bruce Rauner has accomplished little for Illinois, now add he declared Illinois a sanctuary state and forced pro-life people to pay for abortions. He is mistaken to believe his base will support him for another 4 years. We have been betrayed by Rauner and we will not forget. We have a better […]
Citizens Fight Back: Logan County
October 19, 2017 by 1 Comment
By: Diane Benjamin Logan County has more than it’s share of problems. I’ve written a few stories about the Atlanta Public Library: https://blnnews.com/2017/10/13/the-citizens-of-atlanta-saved-themselves-200000/ https://blnnews.com/2017/10/13/atlanta-library-makes-huge-oma-violation/ https://blnnews.com/2017/07/13/atlanta-more-small-town-shenanigans/ These stories barely touch the surface of the problems in not only Atlanta, but now Lincoln. All the controversy revolves around one guy: Bill Thomas. If the name sounds familiar, […]
Fun Facts (or not so fun facts)
October 15, 2017 by 11 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Bloomington population: 78,005 Normal Population: 54,264 Bloomington Total Budget: $214,126,710 PDF Page 2: http://www.cityblm.org/home/showdocument?id=13155 Normal Total Budget: $107,133,177 PDF Page 15 http://www.normal.org/DocumentCenter/View/11571 Normal has 30% fewer citizens. Normal budgets 50% of what Bloomington does. Bloomington spends $2,745 for every citizens Normal spends $1,974 for every citizen Bloomington total debt 4/30/16: 270,629,828 http://warehouse.illinoiscomptroller.com/ProcessSearchResults.cfm?DisplayMode=GETAFR&AFRDesiredData=Indebtedness&Code=064/025/30&CFY=2016&Menu=Yes&PrintIt=No 4/30/17 information […]
Health Dept: Palms Grill’s Nasty Drain
October 7, 2017 by 15 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin I heard some citizens of Atlanta Il have witnessed employees of the Palms Grill pouring grease down a drain behind the restaurant. The last time the Edgar County Watchdogs and I were in Atlanta, we decided to check it out. The smell emanating from the drain was the vilest stench I’ve ever […]
Bam! Higher Ed CLUELESS!
September 25, 2017 by 5 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin The Pantagraph Opinion Page continues to be an endless source of entertainment. Orchestrated Letters to the Editor are claiming voting rights locally have been violated. The election is more than a year away and normal everyday people are writing letters asking you to vote for their candidate? Keep in mind: Repeat a […]
Update #2: Update: Hate is very alive in Normal!
August 25, 2017 by 14 Comments
I attended this event – Nick Adams has an amazing love for America AND Americans. He has a non-profit call FLAG. From their website: http://www.flagusa.org/ Its principal purpose is to educationally proclaim the greatness of America, and ensure that the next generation of American leaders understands what it means to be an American. Several members […]
ISU: Allow HATE speech on campus?
August 24, 2017 by 27 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin A conservative speaker was invited to speak at Illinois State University by the College Republicans. Yesterday I heard EVERY flyer they posted around campus has been defaced, destroyed, or removed. President Dietz: Is ISU now Berkley Ca? Is Antifa going to protest American values? Are your campus snowflakes embarrassed by their country? […]
Ethics!
August 18, 2017 by 13 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Illinois Law requires every level of government adopt an Ethics Ordinance. Even though it has been brought to Bloomington’s attention, they do not have an ethic ordinance on their website. When asked who the Ethics Officer is – I believe we were told David Hales. I did find this on the City […]
Wind Energy caused White Oak Twp Tax Increase
July 28, 2017 by 4 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin White Oak Township met to raise taxes last night. They voted by referendum because the Township needs more money. The Agenda lists the increase “not to exceed” .167%: The reason given for the tax increase is: Wind farm revenue is decreasing! The State is also late paying Motor Fuel Tax. Not surprising, […]
From Outrage to Action:
July 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment
If you have had it with Illinois, if you are thinking of running for office, if you are ready to do something: IllinoisConservativesUnited.ORG (Obviously Republicans aren’t going to save the State!) . . .
The School Funding Showdown
July 25, 2017 by 1 Comment
By: Diane Benjamin The Democrats needed the help of Republicans to increase taxes. Two from this area complied: Bill Mitchell and Mike Unes The GOP had the winning hand until 10 people pretending to be Republicans voted with the Democrats. As a result NO reforms were passed and the path to destruction Illinois was on […]
Year end Connect Transit $$$
July 24, 2017 by 10 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Connect Transit ended their Fiscal Year 6/30/2017 with ridership below last year and well short of their goal: Connect Transit competes with Uber and taxi service. Your government is assaulting the private sector by redistributing your money to their preferred transportation provider. I wonder who Connect Transit employees voted for? See page […]
Bill Mitchell’s Funding
July 13, 2017 by 1 Comment
By: Diane Benjamin Mitchell is my representative and one of the guys who defected from the Republican Party to raise your taxes. I wonder if he knew that bill also raises gas taxes .05 a gallon? I doubt it since nobody had time to read the bill. More surprises may surface. Today I got a […]
WJBC: Scott wrong again!
July 10, 2017 by 14 Comments
By: Diane Benjamin Scott Laughlin clarified this morning on WJBC why the local media is useless. The host hates people who think government should do nothing. Scottie doesn’t realize “those” people don’t want government doing nothing, they want them doing only the things the population can’t do themselves. Like fix the roads! How are the Bloomington […]
Unit 5: You work for those paying the bills!
By: Diane Benjamin The next School Board meeting is January 10th, 7:00 pm at Chiddix Junior High, 300 S Walnut St, in Normal. Website See the Unit 5 Public Comment policy HERE Public Comment at every meeting of a Public Body is LAW. It’s called the Open Meetings Act. If you read Unit 5’s Public Comment policy […]