By: Diane Benjamin Same property as previous stories – picked at random. https://blnnews.com/2026/04/30/congrats-how-much-is-stolen-from-you-is-posted/ For context on the airport tax: Bloomington and Normal properties are still being taxed by the airport — see Central Il Reg Airport Auth. In 2025, it appeared on bills as “BLM-Nrm Airport Auth.” This year’s 2026 in-town bills now show $0.00 […]
By: Diane Benjamin This story and the last one about CIRA are because a reader contacted me. Part 1: https://blnnews.com/2026/03/03/cira-part-1-2/ That reader left a voicemail at CIRA on February 5, 2026: . The name is redacted because it isn’t important to the story. Based on what this reader was told, I FOIA’d CIRA for what […]
By: Diane Benjamin Taxation without representation: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-02-13/cira-cruises-along-at-a-stable-altitude Springfield allowed CIRA to tax the County thanks to Sen Dave Koehler https://blnnews.com/2023/04/27/cira-doesnt-need-money-they-just-want-it/ Your property tax bills this year will reflect that. County property owners get yet another line item added to their bill. Bloomington-Normal gets a decrease. One of the dumbest parts of the WGLT article: “The Airport […]
By: Diane Benjamin This pic is from a video was on NextDoor. The comments say geese were being shot at the airport. That makes sense since geese and planes can be a deadly combination. There is a retention pond west of the airport with large geese population. Shooting a few won’t fix the problem permanently. […]
Written by Carl Hinshaw – Letter to the Editor, Heyworth Buzz
By: Diane Benjamin Every small town in McLean County should pass the same resolution now. See what Leroy passed in 2018 when CIRA wanted to tax the entire County: Not everyone who uses CIRA lives in McLean County but they aren’t being taxed. Every small town and city in the County can’t afford to have […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Peoria Journal Star reported on a study that claims Illinois is the WORST state for taxes: https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/state/2023/02/23/illinois-is-the-worst-for-taxes-study-says/69931709007/ The exodus from Illinois will continue when it is MUCH cheaper to move than stay in Illinois. Since every other level of government wants more money, CIRA is joining the party. See this story […]
By: Diane Benjamin I finally made it through all 924 pages of the latest FOIA from Normal. Marc Tiritilli addressed the Council in person before they voted to continue electric aggregation. Prior to that he sent this email: I suggest you compare Ameren prices to your bills if you haven’t opted-out. Marc knows what he […]
Whisman has resigned. The Edgar County Watchdogs did a followup story – the last line is particularly good! http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/04/beth-whisman-resigned-as-commissioner-of-bloomington-normal-airport-authority/ ______________________________________ Original story: http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/04/beth-whisman-unqualified-to-serve-as-commissioner-of-bloomington-normal-airport-authority/
By: Diane Benjamin The Central Illinois Regional Airport has their new website: CIRA.com Meeting dates, agenda’s, minutes etc can be found under “About the Airport” and then “Airport Authority”. Since I haven’t had time to follow them lately, I clicked on the November minutes and found this under Public Comments: The address is Bloomington. It’s […]
By: Diane Benjamin I couldn’t decide which story to do, so I’m throwing THREE into one story. 1) Are employees fleeing? THREE Manager openings at once! http://www.mcleancochamber.org/chamber/job-openings 2) This one is funny! The Title in the printed version of the Pantagraph was “Visitors center a strain on museum” The on-line version got changed: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/national/government-and-politics/museum-seeks-help-for-route-center/article_97cecedb-3e91-5734-8da3-246c1fa238d6.html “Museum […]
By: Diane Benjamin See the 2017 Airport proposed budget here: FY2017 Draft budget-1 The far right column below is part of the budgeted revenue for 2017. State grants: $132,024 Federal grants: $5,895,954 Note – the Feds are paying $2,500,000 or the $3,500,000 interior rehab mentioned in the last article. The Feds are also paying for […]
By: Diane Benjamin Update to this story from yesterday: https://blnnews.com/2016/04/14/airport-report/ I received this explanation from Carl Olson (airport manager) about the $9.3 Million reflects as Investments: I received a copy of the proposed budget – a note was included that it will be voted on at the May meeting. See it here: FY2017 Draft budget-1 […]
Update: Right after I posted this story I was contacted by Carl Olson at the airport. Hopefully he can answer my question. By: Diane Benjamin Last Tuesday I attended a CIRA Board meeting for the first time. I’ve previously reported on CIRA, see stories here: https://blnnews.com/?s=CIRA I’m sure I was the last person they expected, […]
By: Diane Benjamin TAXPAYERS own the Central Illinois Regional Airport, but you know very little about the management or financial position. See the CIRA website here: http://www.cira.com/ (Under “City Information” – Mitsubishi is still listed) It has ZERO transparency! There are no links to financial information, agendas, minutes of meetings, or who is on the […]
By: Diane Benjamin The first time I sent a FOIA request to the airport for payroll, I received Medicare Wages: http://blnnews.com/2016/01/21/cira-explain-please/. I did another request for the full salary and benefits paid to the airport manager, Carl Olson. The original request shows Medicare Wages of $175,710.68 I received this the second time: (click to enlarge) […]
By: Diane Benjamin The information below was obtained through by the Freedom of Information Act. The Central Illinois Regional Airport auditors released this information in their report for the year ended 4/30/15. Source: BNAA – FINAL – Audit Report – 8.20.2015 The airport doesn’t rely on taxes and subsidies nearly as much as Connect Transit […]
By: Diane Benjamin According to this Pantagraph article: http://www.pantagraph.com/business/local/olson-gets-contract-extension/article_c3a51735-c4ad-5cda-853b-7704ebcffb8a.html – the Executive Director of the airport (Carl Olson) just got a 2.5% raise. It also states he was earning $172,365 per year. The article is a glowing endorsement of the great job he is doing. Funny, because in January the Pantagraph also reported traffic was down […]
By: Diane Benjamin Add CIRA to the list of projects government created firmly believing it would create economic activity, benefit citizens, and not be a tax burden. CIRA now joins the ranks of other local boondoggles like the Coliseum and the BPCA. If we build it, they will come. For awhile they did come. CIRA […]
Closure List: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2013/images/03/22/fct_closed.pdf In Illinois, towers will close at Decatur Airport, St. Louis Regional Airport in Alton, Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal, Southern Illinois Airport at Carbondale/Murphysboro and Waukegan Regional Airport in Chicago/Waukegan. Read more: http://wqad.com/2013/03/22/79016/ This has NOTHING to do with sequestration! This does not mean the airport will close. Planes can takeoff […]
