By: Diane Benjamin Urbana did too: https://www.urbanaillinois.us/restrictionrelease Guess who hasn’t? I talked to a manager of a local large retail business yesterday. Their signs will remain up requiring a mask, but they will not be enforcing it.
2 National news outlets picked up this story. Sorry Sonny, they didn’t use your name. By: Diane Benjamin Bloomington’s own Democrat Socialists who support Bernie Sanders made the Champaign News last night. They are upset Betsy Dirksen Londigron won’t have another debate with challenger Stefanie Smith. The report claims they did have a recent debate. […]
By: Diane Benjamin Earlier this month I wrote about the software Normal is attempting to implement and the problems they have encountered. They paid for 2 years of use before it ever went live. See this story: https://blnnews.com/2020/02/05/normals-latest-debacle/ Since Normal refused to provide emails, I FOIA’d Champaign, they use the same software. I wanted the […]
By. Diane Benjamin A new Costco store will be opening in the former Bergners location in the Champaign mall. Was Bloomington even looked at? https://www.news-gazette.com/news/champaign-council-approves-tax-incentive-deal-for-costco/article_5016464f-879d-5eef-a0bd-73c4f09f9969. Where is the Economic Development Council? Where is Bloomington’s Economic Development department? Champaign had to promise tax breaks based on future sales, is an empty store better? Bloomington’s mall has […]
The tables in Champaign stay out all night, the chairs are secured in stacks on top of them. ________________ By: Diane Benjamin Tari Renner was on the radio this morning again proclaiming no city is successful without a successful downtown. He of course learned that at the US Conference of Mayors, he’s going to another […]
By: Diane Benjamin Bloomington is touting itself as having a lower Sales Tax rate than surrounding communities. Of course, the reason for saying it is so they can raise theirs. Conveniently left out of the conversation is how many OTHER taxes each City has. Let’s look at Champaign http://ci.champaign.il.us/departments/finance/administrative-services-division/sales-tax-information-2/ 1% City Sales Tax 1.5% Home Rule […]
by: Diane Benjamin Yesterday I posted the Bloomington Salary ranges by employee. Below is how Champaign compares to Bloomington. Obviously Champaign hires more part-time and seasonal staff.
by: Diane Benjamin In 2012 the population of Bloomington is listed at 77,733. Champaign’s population was 82,517 This is a link to the City of Champaign salaries: http://ci.champaign.il.us/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2013-Compensation-Report-Final.pdf This is a link to Library salaries in Champaign: http://ci.champaign.il.us/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/FY-2012-13-ACTUAL-TOTAL-COMPENSATION-LIBRARY-POSTED-ON-CITY-WEBSITE.pdf Champaign numbers are fiscal year ended 6/30/13 Champaign City Manager Salary: $194,905 Total employees for City and Library […]
by: Diane Benjamin Champaign City bond rating: Moody’s 12/6/13 Aaa Peoria City bond rating: Moody’s 3/18/13 Aa2 Bloomington City bond rating Moody’s 10/28/13 Aa2 What does the bond rating mean? Champaign is perfect. Peoria and Bloomington are both less than perfect. Aaa is perfect, Aa1 is one step down, Aa2 is 2 steps down. […]
by Diane Benjamin This information comes from a very reliable source: Habeeb Habeeb, GOP chair of Champaign County, apparently aggravated the other 13 County GOP Chairs with his superiority attitude and multiple radio interviews. They refused to support his candidate-Erika Herald-because of him! Champaign County had the weighted vote because of the number of […]
