Category: State

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Danger whenever Springfield is in session

By: Diane Benjamin If you believe mail-in voting is the least secure way to vote (like Jimmy Carter did), file a witness slip opposing this bill: https://www.ilga.gov/house/hearings/details/3110/22403/CreateWitnessSlip/?legislationId=161868&GaId=18&View=Create&fbclid=IwZnRzaAP9uYtjbGNrA_2r12V4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMmJ1TEZ0cUdCcnI0UXROMExzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeHvldQnGykVQ9QF2QhUtasHWRqVU-lW50PiWlTTicr5tNT5RC2mFh4NcFLnQ_aem_A-yI2QCswrei74xph3gobw HB 3355: Amends the Election Code. Provides that an election authority may elect to mail a vote by mail ballot to all qualified voters instead of sending notices […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Weekend šŸ˜Š

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Illinois’ public pensions are worst funded in nation

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/three-peat-illinois-pension-system-last-place-for-3rd-year-in-a-row/ Excerpts: Low funding ratios mean less certainty because it means the state does not have the money to pay out what it promised. If liabilities continue to grow faster than assets, this funding ratio shrinks. But even before insolvency hits, low funding ratios still hurt the state. Just like failing to pay off credit […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Where INCCRRA spent a lot of their money

By: Diane Benjamin This story shows the HUGE increase in funding as shown on the nonprofit tax returns of INCCRRA: https://blnnews.com/2026/01/16/the-local-ngos-tax-return-inccrra/ . Those numbers are MILLIONS – a huge increase from 2019 to 2020. What did they do with that money? At least part was the establishment of Birth To Five. Illinois was divided into […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Matejka & Chamber of Commerce doing comedy now?

By: Diane Benjamin Mike Matejka posted this on his Not In Our Town Facebook page: . Of course Mike is implying there is no difference between the KKK and ICE. Since Wikipedia has a fake history of the KKK, see History.com instead: https://www.history.com/articles/ku-klux-klan Quote: Founded in 1865, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) extended into almost […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Feds Investigating Student Data Privacy Violations

By: Diane Benjamin Read the McLean County GOP press release below. To summarize: Colleges across the country send personal student data to the National Student Clearinghouse. That organization then hands the data to Democrat-aligned NGOs in violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Those NGOs distribute studentsā€™ personal data to Democrat activists, […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Pick A Side

By: Diane Benjamin Victims-mom-slams-grammy-speeches-after-daughter-boyfriend-killed-alleged-dui-crash-illegal-immigrant One Bloomington victim, Corey Cottrell, made the list below of Americans killed by illegal immigrants: https://blnnews.com/2019/07/10/bikers-ride-for-corey-cottrell/ Since Illinois doesn’t allow asking immigration status, the list below may not include some victims here. If you don’t have a problem with this extensive list, you are probably out protesting ICE. Normal people want […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Tracking Local Arrests

By: Diane Benjamin I downloaded the McLean County Sheriff’s Office app awhile back. Just watching the jail population change is interesting. This morning inmates totaled 232, yesterday showed 228. I’ve seen it higher and it was around 20 less before Christmas. I have no idea why except I was interested, but I attempted to track […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Remember INCCRRA? Child Care is Unaffordable?

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 […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

National School Choice Week

By: Diane Benjamin This is National School Choice Week – Illinois isn’t participating because teacher unions want students locked into failing schools based on their zip code. Statement from Tommy Schultz, CEO, American Federation for Children:Ā  https://www.federationforchildren.org/afc-celebrates-national-school-choice-week-2026/ ā€œAs we celebrate National School Choice Week, we embark on what will be a golden age in American […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Connect Transit – October 2015 vrs December 2025

By: Diane Benjamin Have you noticed the media never reports on how much Connect Transit is costing taxpayers? Have you noticed you haven’t been told these bus subsidies exist across the country? The Champaign-Urbana bus system loses far more than Connect Transit. Did you know the Danville Mass Transit District attempted to dissolve itself: https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2026/01/cris-mass-transit-violated-law-on-vote-to-dissolve/ […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

I Know Nobody Cares, but Connect Transit Losses GROW

By: Diane Benjamin Today’s agenda: https://connect-transit.com/file/4024/2026%2001%2027_BoT%20Meeting%20Packet.pdf The packet is for November and December. There isn’t near as much information in the packet as usual. Missing are reports from their consultants in Springfield and DC. $42,059 for what? . Ridership is up, so are the losses: . Flex is still up almost 9% fiscal year to […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

You are paying child care costs for illegal aliens

By: Diane Benjamin This won’t be the last story. I can prove illegal aliens get Illinois child care subsidies, maybe even more than citizens get. Keep reading. Illinois’ ruling class hides information by letting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) administer the programs they create. The state shovels your money to themā€”and the trail ends there. Connecting the […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Chicago Teachers Can’t Spell:

Of course the ultra-wealthy flee states like California thanks to groups like the CTU, who can’t define “fair share.” Many have already left Illinoisā€”and more will head to lower-tax states as long as the ruling party believes they can keep taxing everything with higher rates. When activist teachers launch a campaign to increase taxes with […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Illinois Fraud: State employees

By: Diane Benjamin If you reviewed this list of Illinois Auditor General reports, you haven’t seen the worst yet: https://www.auditor.illinois.gov/Audit-Reports/ABC-List.asp See this link for reports of State employees investigated by the Office of Inspector General: https://oeig.illinois.gov/investigations/published-oeig-cases.html Have you heard about all the State employees investigated for Paycheck Protection Fraud? That link has them. Already in […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Illinois DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS Audit

By: Diane Benjamin This office is run by Pritzker 2023 appointee Major General Rodney Boyd. Office of the Auditor General: https://www.auditor.illinois.gov/Audit-Reports/Compliance-Agency-List/Military-Affairs/FY24-Military-Affairs-Comp-Digest.pdf Let me interpret: This department buys things with your tax dollars and loses them. The same problem has been reported since 2012. Let me interpret again: Nobody in this department cares about taxes you […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

The local NGO’s tax return – INCCRRA

By: Diane Benjamin More to this story: https://blnnews.com/2026/01/15/is-there-fraud-in-illinois-child-care-spending/ INCCRRA stands forĀ Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. INCCRRA tax return for the year ending 6/30/2024: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364096312/202530429349300303/full The revenue on this tax return isn’t close to what OpenTheBooks shows they received in calendar year 2024. A tax return for the other NGO, Excelerate Illinois, […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Local H1B Visas – Rivian

By: Diane Benjamin This link has a list of all companies in Illinois with H1B Visas: https://h1bgrader.com/states/illinois-il Click on any name. Page down until you see a RED box that says “View latest H1B Visas . . “. This is part of what you will see for Rivian. Note the dates, many are already in […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Is There Fraud in Illinois Child Care Spending?

By: Diane Benjamin Open The Books created a database of “child care” spending by State after the Minnesota fraud came to light: https://open.substack.com/pub/openthebooks/p/minnesota-daycare-scandal-the-power?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email Quote from that story: Weā€™ve created the most comprehensive database of government spending in history, from federal to state and local governments, so that every taxpayer can become a citizen journalist and […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

5 Things you need to know

By: Diane Benjamin 1) Illinois lawmakers who propose unConstitutional laws should be kicked out of office: https://ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?GAID=18&DocNum=2820&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=164963&SessionID=114 Senator Laura Fine proposed SB2820 Creates the Prohibited Hiring of Federal Immigration Officers Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency may not hire as a law enforcement officer any person who was hired as a federal immigration officer […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

The Incompetence of Illinois Government

https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/06/illinois-department-human-services-reports-years-long-data-breach Excerpts: However, according to the news release, due to ā€œincorrect privacy settings,ā€ the maps and the information contained within them were publicly viewable. The maps containing information about Rehabilitation Services customers were publicly accessible from April 2021 through September 2025 when the flaw was discovered, the agency said. That included customersā€™ names, addresses, case […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

“Fraud” is Cruel Krystle Able

By: Diane Benjamin “Cruel” is the new leftist buzzword. “Fraud” is a word they avoid. Billions of dollars appear to have been stolen in Minnesota through child care fraud schemes. We aren’t supposed to notice, right, Krystle? According to Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski, the amount of child care costs that Illinois bills the feds […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

McLean County Earmarks in Illinois Budget

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/waste-watch-illinois-gives-12m-to-nascar/ Excerpts: LawmakersĀ claimedĀ the 2026 budget contained no pork, butĀ a closer look showsĀ 2,815 items over $200,000 lawmakers decided to fund in the final hours of the legislative session ā€“ rushed,Ā harmfulĀ to taxpayers and with no time for public scrutiny. They includedĀ $40 millionĀ for a high school sports complex at the alma mater of Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch. […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

SE MC Water Auth šŸ¤”

By: Diane Benjamin Understand the title? It is an abbreviation for Southeast McLean County Water Authority. I wrote about them last year when a new line appeared on my property tax bill: https://blnnews.com/2025/05/16/new-line-on-my-property-tax-bill/ I found no trace of this organization on the County website. They claim to be subject to the Freedom of Information Act […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

17 Years in a Row: People Leaving Illinois

https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_9f59f645-6340-4756-8110-655dd4f6eeeb.html?utm_source=illinois.thecentersquare.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=rss_first_item_title Can anyone say after 17 years this isn’t on purpose? Excerpts: U.S. Census Bureau data showing Illinois has lost around 420,000 residents since 2020. Recent polling found almost half of all voters insist they would leave the state if they had the chance. Updated annual Census estimates for Illinois and other states are expected […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Rent to Increase Again in Bloomington

By: Diane Benjamin The Bloomington Council voted 7-2 to increase property taxes 13.4% last night. The library increased taxes by almost 2%. After a Who’s on First like re-enactment, discussions took place by the Council both during the Public Hearing and before the vote. 7 members swallowed whatever staff fed them, only Alderman Sheila Montney […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington tonight: a Fleece for Christmas

By: Diane Benjamin The City of Bloomington voted in July to suspend payments to the County for the Behavioral Health Action Plan starting July 1, 2025: Shared Sales Tax suspended Why is this payment listed on Bills and Payroll if payments are suspended? Bills and Payroll 12-15-2025 I’d ask but getting an answer is evidently […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Why can’t 3rd graders read? Don’t Blame COVID

By: Diane Benjamin More on this story: https://blnnews.com/2025/12/04/can-your-3rd-grader-read-likely-no-in-public-school/ The 3rd graders tested last spring weren’t affected by school closings during COVID. They weren’t old enough to be in school. They were in: 3rd grade – 2024/2025 2nd grade – 2023/2024 1st grade – 2022/2023 Kindergarten – 2021/2022 Illinois schools were closed for COVID in March […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Grants over $200K in Illinois’ 2026 budget – McLean County

By: Diane Benjamin Why are tax dollars going to private institutions? Why did Unit 5 and District 87 get money for facilities when they conned people into voting for a 1% Sales Tax? Evidently no one on this list is capable of living within budgets based on the needs and ability of the people they […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Update: Can Your 3rd Grader read? Likely NO in Public School

Follow-up story: https://blnnews.com/2025/12/05/why-cant-3rd-graders-read-dont-blame-covid/ By: Diane Benjamin https://www.illinoispolicy.org/how-well-are-your-local-third-graders-reading/ Even under loosened proficiency standards, over half of Illinois third graders couldnā€™t read at grade level in 2025. District 87 has no schools where over 50% of 3rd graders were proficient. Unit 5 has ONE. Obviously education isn’t the goal. Page down to the bottom – Tri-Valley’s one elementary school is […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

November Illinois Layoffs

https://www.illinoisworknet.com/LayoffRecovery/Pages/IllinoisWARNData.aspx Happy Holidays won’t be had be these folks.

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Evidently Money is No Object

By: Diane Benjamin The Board packet included reports for both September and October. I put them side by side so it’s easy to compare: https://connect-transit.com/file/3951/2025%2011%2025_Board%20Meeting%20Packet.pdf The loss PER MONTH is racing toward $2,000,000. It’s only money. Yours. October is the highest one month loss to date. September is second. If you look at PDF page […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Before Bloomington Raises Property Taxes, Ask Them To Explain This:

By: Diane Benjamin If corporations kept 2 sets of books, the leaders would be in jail. Bloomington is doing that: https://blnnews.com/2025/11/22/bloomington-flunked-the-transparency-test/ Did you know Bloomington is only paying interest in the Coliseum bonds? If it ever gets paid off the real cost will likely be close to twice what the original cost was. 1 year […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

More whining from Krystle Able

By: Diane Benjamin Just to make sure everyone knows: The Obamacare subsidies that haven’t been extended were passed under Biden during Covid. No Republicans voted for them. Democrats put a 5 year expiration date on the additional money. This article explains why the subsidies shouldn’t be extended, Cato isn’t a bunch of conservatives: https://www.cato.org/blog/six-reasons-not-extend-enhanced-obamacare-subsidies Obamacare […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Feeling poor?

By: Diane Benjamin Declare yourself an asylum seeker in Illinois! Can’t afford groceries? Illinois uses your tax dollars to feed illegals. Ditto healthcare. If you can’t afford the premiums, imagine how many US citizens living in Illinois could have been funded with the money our dear leaders have thrown to illegals. AI generated summary: . […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Local Sales Tax vrs Chicago

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 […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Connect won’t be moving the new Transit Center

By: Diane Benjamin To get the whole picture, readers have to combine the video and the meeting documentation about the downtown transfer station: PDF page 29 https://connect-transit.com/file/3878/2025%2010%2028_Meeting%20Packet.pdf Once Connect Transit found out the old Pantagraph building wouldn’t work for the downtown transit center, this happened: . Bloomington has wanted to get rid of the Market […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

New Illinois is back in Bloomington in November:

Deadline to purchase tickets with meals is November 10.   https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/new-illinois-8th-constitutional-convention Please call Donald Glenn at (217) 649-6718 with any questions. Tickets to hear speakers only on Friday at 7:45 will be available at the door with a surcharge. Going ForwardĀ  As we’ve often said, the U.S. Constitution gives us theĀ rightĀ to pursue the formation of […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

When School Test Scores Go Up Next Year . . .

H/T a reader This story is only to document what Illinois did to make test scores look better. When reports show huge education progress next year, you need to know why. Watch who will be celebrating. State board of education recommends lowering student proficiency standardsĀ ā€“ May 28 2025 ā€œLowering proficiency benchmarks will inflate the percentage […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Tragedy hits Darren Bailey family

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/darren-bailey-family-killed.amp . Pray for this family.