Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Weekend Brighten Your Day (Maybe)

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Local Elections aren’t non-partisan

By: Diane Benjamin Local elections are supposedly non-partisan. Of course they never have been but nobody will openly admit that. I hear the local trades announced they are supporting democrats. Do the rank and file know it was democrats who shut down their favorite after work watering hole? In Bloomington these 4 have formed their […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Send a message to the Normal Council:

Normal proved Monday night they are not a business friendly community, of course we knew that. Their “Right Fit” policies mean only those businesses they approve of or kneel before them are welcome. If you missed this story: https://blnnews.com/2021/02/02/normals-reputation-after-last-night/ A GoFundMe has been set up by Curt Nord to help with the fines levied by […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Funny, but true

In honor of all those who think fossil fuels can be eliminated:

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Illinois wants to make indoctrinating students the law

Note to parents: You too can have brain dead indoctrinated “I hate America kids”. Read the first comment. By: Diane Benjamin We do know a socialist, Patrick Lawler, is teaching at Normal Community. Since his campaign videos show students supporting his candidacy for the Bloomington City Council, think he isn’t giving them his views of […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

2020 McLean County Suicides

By: Diane Benjamin In 2019 McLean County saw a total of 18 suicides. The total for 2020 was 27. That is is 50% increase in one year. 1 more death is under investigation as a probably suicide according to the December report. Drug overdoses are down from 26 in 2019. Covid? Lockdowns? Schools closed? Anybody […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Ward 3: Want represented by a socialist? If no, keep reading.

By: Diane Benjamin Ward 3 did have 3 candidates, but one has dropped out. The two candidates left in the race are:  Sheila Montney and Willie Holton Halbert who is running as a team with the other socialists. If you want to dial 911 and not get an answer because the police got defunded, here […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Meeting for 12 hours provides lots of material

By: Diane Benjamin I can find numerous things citizens need to know after Normal spent 9 hours meeting 1/26 and then another 3 hours last Monday talking about the budget. Pam Reece wants you to know they aren’t spending over $5 million running water pipes on West College to Rivian. So, either they know something […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal is stockpiling money

By: Diane Benjamin One of the first actions by the new Council installed May 1st should be reviewing actions taken by previous Council that staff is still implementing. The biggest one is building the underpass. Previous Councils have voted to investigate and possibly design, but not to build it. Since the Town has a $13 […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal’s reputation after last night

By: Diane Benjamin If you already knew “right fit” businesses are all that matters in Normal, last night cemented their place in history for being unfriendly to business. The Town levied fines on Joe’s Stationhouse Pizza for daring to defy Pritzker’s spewings when the Illinois Constitution clearly states emergency powers last 30 days. It was […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Those who can’t teach

By: Diane Benjamin There are great teachers, I’m not sure Karyn Smith qualifies. I watched part of the budget discussion last night that was continued from last week. Smith decided to inform viewers about bonds. She claimed paying interest for decades is what they are designed to do. The principal will be paid at the […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

2 Things to watch for if Koos is worried about April 6th

By: Diane Benjamin Long before Rivian received major investments, the Town of Normal put deposits down on TWO Rivian vehicles. https://blnnews.com/2018/12/21/merry-christmas-rivian/ Buying one could be considered supporting a Normal business, but why two VERY expensive luxury vehicles? The Council has not approved purchasing any at this point. We have no idea who would drive them […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal Tonight

By: Diane Benjamin The festivities start at 4:00 because the Council isn’t done going over the proposed budget: “The purpose of the Special Meeting is to continue a Budget Work Session to review the Proposed 2021-2026 Five Year Operating and Capital Investment Budget, which began on Tuesday,January 26, 2021″ https://normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3879 Before the Council meeting at […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

More on Normal’s water

By: Diane Benjamin Normal is spending more than $5 million to run water to Rivian: https://blnnews.com/2021/01/30/why-is-normal-spending-millions-to-run-water-to-rivian/ Normal Trustee Stan Nord posted the below on Facebook: These water samples came from residents who pay for water and can’t use it. The April 6th election is about priorities: Setting better ones. Spending $5 million to run pipes […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Why is Normal spending millions to run water to Rivian?

By: Diane Benjamin The Town of Normal scheduled ONE day for the Council to review next years budget put together by staff. So far they have met for a little over 9 hours and they aren’t done. They will continue Monday before the Council meeting. Note: 9 hours all at once with a few breaks. […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Weekend Nonsense (2020 continues)

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Lorenz thinks $3 million for roads is fabulous

By: Diane Benjamin Government’s job is first to preserve and protect freedom for future generations. How is that one working for you? Next, government should only be doing what citizens can’t do for themselves: police, fire, water, sewer and roads. Maybe citizens need to start building their own roads and charge a toll to use […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

When you can’t win on issues . . .

Press Release: MCLEAN COUNTY REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN CONNIE BEARD RE: Normal Township races Wednesday evening the  drawing for ballot placement took place for the Normal Township races slated for the April 6 Consolidated Election.  The Democrat candidates drew first place in order for the Normal Township Races. I wish to congratulate both Amy Conklin and Ray […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

How much was wasted allowing employees to spike pensions?

By: Diane Benjamin The law was changed in 2012 to require additional contributions to IMRF retirement fund if employees received large payouts that increased their pension at retirement. (accelerated payments) That law was badly needed because cities and employees never contributed to the higher payouts. Since the spiking practice should now be over in Bloomington […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Excessive rent discussed at Normal Budget meeting

By: Diane Benjamin Of course Stan Nord knows taxpayers got fleeced to rent the second floor of 1 Uptown Circle only to fill a hole in Uptown. The Council that approved paying $35000-$36000 a month simply did as they were told. Chris Koos wanted the hole gone and obviously the private sector wasn’t going to […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

$18 million for a transfer station!

By: Diane Benjamin Obviously Connect Transit isn’t building a simply downtown transfer station with your tax dollars. Those State and Federal grants they received are TAX dollars even though that term is never used. All a transfer station needs are lanes for buses to enter and exist and some building to protect riders who are […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Is Normal Fooling you?

By: Diane Benjamin Since Chris Koos, Kevin McCarthy, Scott Preston, and Chemberly Cummings want your vote April 6th, does this look like something they would do to get it? The Normal Council held a 9 hour budget session yesterday. Surprise! They aren’t going to raise property taxes this year. Instead they are rearranging money they […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

McLean County Justice

By: Diane Benjamin https://www.wglt.org/post/final-coliseum-defendant-pleads-guilty-misdemeanor-agrees-restitution#stream/0 The last Coliseum theft case was settled last week. The two main culprits got off with misdemeanor convictions while 2 low level employees who couldn’t afford to pay lawyers for years now have felony convictions. All 4 received plea deals, another defendant had all charges dropped. The City of Bloomington received […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Things the don’t fit anywhere else

By: Diane Benjamin WGLT and the League of Women Voters are teaming up again for local debates. Nothing is scheduled for anybody running except mayoral candidates: Former County Clerk candidate and current employee of the City of Bloomington thinks all of you who sacrificed to send your kids to college should pay the bill for […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington: Expect tax increases

By: Diane Benjamin Only one Public Comment is worth listening to. Go to 39:40. A guy is upset the Bloomington police post pictures of people of interest on social media hoping the public can help locate or identify the person. Worth listening to for another perspective. This re-zoning got sent back to the Planning Commission. […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Illinois is the WORST State for Middle Class Families

This is Kiplinger, not some conservative outlet trying to play politics: https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/state-tax/601614/least-tax-friendly-states-for-middle-class-families?rid=EML-today&rmrecid=2482908579&utm_campaign=20210126-today&utm_medium=email&utm_source=today Before both Bloomington and Normal decide to raise property taxes, and Unit 5 does again – these were the rates: District 87: 5.144810 City of Bloomington: 1.090100 Unit 5: 5.355410 Town of Normal: 1.032630

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

No longer hiding who they are:

(Does Lawler know the Democrats screwed Bernie twice because they know he isn’t electable?) Typos immaterial as well as facts?

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Facts immaterial to Carrillo

By: Diane Benjamin On Bloomington’s agenda tonight Jenn Carrillo wants the Council to petition the Federal and State governments to replace Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous People’s Day. https://blnnews.com/2021/01/22/cancel-culture-back-at-bloomington-monday/ Evidently Jenn doesn’t know the entire month of November is Native American People’s month. Maybe she doesn’t know that’s another way of saying Indigenous People’s […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Victory! 2 months in a row Connect Transit

By: Diane Benjamin The Connect Transit Board didn’t meet in December, so January 26, 2021 the Board will review November and December 2020. They finally achieved breaking through the $1,000,000 operating loss and did it both months: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pH-FJxYfLWtjHzbnh98Ge3P6El4HURHu/view November 2020: December 2020: EVERY DOLLAR for “Assistance” is money government took from somebody who earned it. […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal West – What I’ve been told

By: Diane Benjamin I received a tip for an impeccable source that the Assistant Principal below removed a profile file a student had on his Unit 5 computer because it contained a “thin blue line”. I’m sure you know that represents support for law enforcement. I emailed Mr. Caffey about the incident and got this […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Weekend Scam, hoaxes, and giggles

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Cancel Culture Back at Bloomington Monday

By: Diane Benjamin A country without history is no longer a country. Since the local socialists want to destroy capitalism, the basis for America, history must be re-written. Instead of studying the foundations of our country and the world it must all be erased. Countries around the world celebrate Christopher Columbus as a great explorer […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Fly on the Wall: Normal West

Flying around I’m hearing unsettling information about an Assistant Principal. Details needed! blnnews@yahoo.com

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Think this a threat?

By: Diane Benjamin Tweet from Ward 5 socialist candidate Patrick Lawler: Going to go to their homes Patrick? That is what the radical left does – it’s called intimidation! Poor Lawler only got 5 likes to his tweet, here’s who “liked” it, the first two are also candidates: Communists and socialists Don’t forget Lawler is […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Is Lorenz setting you up for more taxes?

By: Diane Benjamin At Tuesday’s Normal Town Council meeting Kathleen Lorenz asked why the Intergovernmental Agreement with Connect Transit says both Bloomington and Normal are required to review the CT budget yearly. They never do, but it is in the agreement. Kathleen: Maybe because CT loses $1 MILLION a month and local taxes were raised […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Tari, Tari, where’s the unity?

By: Diane Benjamin While the new president is calling for unity, Tari Renner missed the message. Remember what he called me clear back in 2015? https://blnnews.com/2015/02/10/does-tari-know-that-judy-isnt-running/ “Human cancer” must still be his go-to term for people who have the audacity to have a different opinion, the below were sent to me by a reader. Tari […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Press Release from Connie Beard

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal: 10 minutes to 3 hours

By: Diane Benjamin Remember the good ol’ days when nobody on the Normal Town Council questioned anything? Those 10 minute meetings have turned into a “justify staff” fun fest where the formally silent must spew forth speech to squelch what they think are rumors. The Council needs to spend at least half of their time […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Bloomington: A bunch of white supremacists

By: Diane Benjamin Public comment was only people demanding illegal aliens get the full rights of citizens. At least one comment threatened the Council if they don’t pass a Welcoming Ordinance. Congrats residents! You are labeled racist, a xenophobe, and a white supremist if you don’t agree. One speaker claimed Illinois enacted Home Rule so […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Not a good idea to text at meetings

By: Diane Benjamin The Executive Committee of the McLean County Board met on January 11th. I received a tip about the meeting. First the members: The tip involved text messages sent by Democrat Laurie Wollrab to (fake) Republican Josh Barnett during the meeting. Barnett is part of the “Responsible Cities Pac” with the leftist elites: […]