Tag: Chris Koos

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Is Normal getting paid to destroy quiet single family house neighborhoods?

By: Diane Benjamin See this link directly from the White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/09/fact-sheet-president-bidens-budget-lowers-housing-costs-and-expands-access-to-affordable-rent-and-home-ownership/ One excerpt: Restrictive zoning means not allowing multi-family housing in established single-family neighborhoods. Biden is willing to pay LOCAL government for EQUITY. So how much is Normal planning to collect to change the zoning at Beech and Shelbourne? Since no one currently elected […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Your tax money abused!

By: Diane Benjamin Connect transit is tired of people noticing the empty or close to empty buses roaming Bloomington-Normal so they fixed the problem. Check out of the new electric buses. h/t a reader They’ve gone from darkened windows to covering them completely. We still know the bus is mostly empty. CT didn’t have a […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

6 Things you need to know

By: Diane Benjamin 1) For readers who get email notifications of stories: I did change a setting that should make your email notification look different. I needed the change to make the stats calculate accurately. 2) This is the article that makes what the Town of Normal wants to do with banning natural gas illegal: […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Koos is a Climate Change hypocrite

By: Diane Benjamin Quote: “Climate change is getting to be a significant issue and we’re going to have to do things outside of the realm of just makes economic sense,” he said. Source: WGLT Does Chris Koos know heavy equipment doesn’t run on electricity? Economic sense isn’t spending a likely $30 million to dig a […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Documenting the Master Plan

By: Diane Benjamin Doug Farr was paid $80,000 for the Uptown South MASTER PLAN that includes no natural gas: https://blnnews.com/2023/03/07/normal-buy-local-is-immaterial/ This story is to document what the 4-3 vote was proclaimed to mean. In a year or two when a subsidized developer is found I predict the same council will claim the document labeled MASTER […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Chris Koos: See 1936

By: Diane Benjamin The climate change pushers ignore facts. When they claim the earth is burning because of fossil fuels they use temperatures since the 1960’s when a new ice age was being predicted. They will not tell you the 1930’s were hotter than now! https://www.extremeweatherwatch.com/cities/bloomington-normal/month-august Why were the 1930’s so hot? It certainly wasn’t […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Paying mileage would have been cheaper Normal

By: Diane Benjamin Remember when Normal bought the two Rivians? The pickup was $73,631. The SUV was $77,931. Both numbers include $1000 down payment. Council thought the two vehicles would be added to the fleet so they could be used as necessary. The pickup has regular plates that no one has ever explained. The SUV […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Proof Normal (Koos) has No Class

By: Diane Benjamin Flashback to April 15, 2019. RC McBride was voted off the Town Council and Jeff Fritzen opted to retire after serving 32 years. (Obviously the Normal voters don’t believe in term limits) Not only did Fritzen get a bike from Koos’ shop at taxpayer expense, both got proclamations for their exemplary service […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Koos Dream Goes Up In Natural Gas

By: Diane Benjamin Watch which local media sources report this story. It will prove who is #FakeNews and who isn’t. Refer back to this story: https://blnnews.com/2023/03/07/normal-buy-local-is-immaterial/ Chris Koos wants Uptown 2.0 built without any natural gas pipelines. Normal thinks that is “sustainable”. It’s also illegal. In Koos world laws don’t matter however. He didn’t want […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal recap 4-3-23

By: Diane Benjamin Chris Koos claimed on Facebook recently that Normal’s sewer system is fine: See 2:50 on the video. Nord asked about this payment: Pam Reece verified the Maplewood area has sewer problems. Oops Koos. _________________________ 16:25. Koos decided to let Kevin McCarthy read the LONG list of appointments before the Council voted. Stan […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal: Koos Kingdom Continues Tonight

By: Diane Benjamin More proof Koosville is not government for the citizens. Normal is whatever Koos wills – kneel now serfs! https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4604 The people who serve on Normal’s Boards and Commission don’t work for the citizens – they work for Koos. Citizens aren’t allowed to know who is being appointed until after the Council approves […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Kevin McCarthy proves the Normal Town Council is immaterial

By: Diane Benjamin If you have ever watched a Normal Town Council meeting you know the Council is immaterial. Asking questions that might stop whatever is on the agenda will get you called “Out Of Order”. Government For and By the People is a joke in Normal. Kevin McCarthy proved this point when he went […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal: Kiss voting Rights Goodbye Thanks to Chung

By: Diane Benjamin HB 3337 was heard by the Counties and Townships Committee because Sharon Chung is a member. Duh, the Town of Normal isn’t a County or Township so this bill did not belong in this committee. Even though Republicans on the Committee mentioned this, they were ignored. The committee passed it and now […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Koos is upset trains are blocking his crossings

By: Diane Benjamin https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2023-02-09/railroad-caused-traffic-jam-irritates-mayor-of-normal Some stories write themselves! Chris Koos is upset about freight trains blocking crossings in Normal. Fort Jesse, College, and Linden are frequently blocked. Koss thinks he can demand shorter freight trains. He is of course oblivious to business practices that make transportation cheaper with volume. (How does he stay in business?) […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Who got signatures?

By: Diane Benjamin The easiest way to tell who supports which candidates for local office is to look at who collected signatures for them. You can see what each filed here: https://www.normalil.gov/114/Municipal-Elections Kathleen Lorenz: Chris Koos, Kevin McCarthy, and Sonja Reece Karyn Smith: Sonja Reece, Kevin MCarthy Andy Byars: John McIntyre (Byars says he’s republican), […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

How much does Koos pay to drive the Town’s Rivian?

By: Diane Benjamin The last time I FOIA’d how much Chris Koos was charged for using the Town’s Mitsubishi I received this: . I don’t know if $45 was listed as additional compensation on every check that year or just monthly. The point is he was paying something for having that vehicle permanently assigned to […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Who is to BLAME for Normal’s problems?

By: Diane Benjamin Judge Kording ruled in September that Normal is an Incorporated Town even though they don’t act like it. In his ruling he stated he knows his decision could: . The “parade of horribles” has only just begun. The Normal elites ignored the ruling while celebrating the defeat of the citizen led referendum […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Madigan’s Lawyer must be running Normal

By: Diane Benjamin Michael Kasper denied the Due Process Rights of the 3 people who filed petitions to run for office (that State law requires Incorporated Towns to Elect) when he sent them letters denying ballot access. Kasper also violated the Due Process Rights of the 2 objectors who filed against them (Dullard and Fritzen) […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Breaking: Normal Electoral Board Folds without notice

By: Diane Benjamin Chris Koos and company must think the three candidates that filed for offices required to be elected in Incorporated Towns will just disappear if they are ignored. Koos is WRONG Without a meeting or even a notice on their website, the Electoral Board decided they won’t hear any further testimony for the […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

The Rivian disinformation

By: Diane Benjamin Asking the Council to approve buying TWO Rivian vehicles was on the Omnibus Agenda without a cost in the documentation: https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4451 The only reason to put this on the Omnibus was to get a blank check vote without any discussion. That didn’t happen. Just hit PLAY to hear Chris Koos say both […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Did taxpayers buy Koos a Christmas present?

By: Diane Benjamin Take a trip down memory lane: Chris Koos had been driving a 2012 Mitsubishi owned by the Town of Normal. Of course that means taxpayers owned it: https://blnnews.com/2021/03/10/koos-car/ Instead of putting government plates on it that only require one payment, the Town paid for plates every year just like you do. Read […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

This WGLT article has little to do with the title

By: Diane Benjamin https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2022-12-09/normal-mayor-wants-town-to-draft-rules-to-allow-auxiliary-housing Title of the story: Normal mayor wants town to draft rules to allow auxiliary housing At least half of the story is Koos condemning Stan Nord. Here’s what Koos ignored in the interview: The clerk would not have posted the petitions for Supervisor, Collector and Clerk on the website if Stan […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal: Spending your money to not comply

By: Diane Benjamin Normal issued this statement yesterday: Let’s start with the Trustee candidates listed with red stars by their name. Add former trustee RC McBride to that list. What do they all have in common? They all come from the Planning Commission! This proves why Chris Koos doesn’t tell the public who he plans […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

IML Conference expenses: Normal vrs Bloomington

By: Diane Benjamin This pic from the Illinois Municipal League says everything you need to know about them: https://www.iml.org/notices IML refuses to post required information on their website! Yes, they are hiding. They don’t file tax returns either even though their employees receive large pensions: https://blnnews.com/2016/03/29/the-iml-scam/ IML exists to represent government in Springfield, they don’t […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

In case Koos wants RC McBride to run for Council again:

By: Diane Benjamin Keep in mind RC McBride is the WGLT General Manager. Media is expected to keep government in line, not be part of it. McBride is government as chairman of the Normal Planning Commission. He proves why Koos doesn’t reveal appointments in advance so the citizens have a heads up and can voice […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal was back to SHORT meeting last night

By: Diane Benjamin Without Stan Nord present the Council meeting lasted a whole 8 minutes. The video is 9 minutes and 24 seconds, but the meeting doesn’t start at 0:00. Nothing was pulled from the consent agenda, Karyn Smith asked a few questions about the Water Main replacement that is WAY over what was budgeted. […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Koos, McCarthy, Huonker, Dullard, and Day should get the bill

By: Diane Benjamin David Shestokas has spent 87.5 hours so far because of the referendum challenge. All of the above know they are going to lose, therefore they should get the bill. To donate by check:  Citizens for Districting Normal 21 Grandview Drive Normal, IL  61761-4071 Go Fund Me is available on the website https://betternormal-il.com/support-us.   Note:  […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Court date changed! and LWV

By: Diane Benjamin Kathy Michael got the referendum court date moved to this Friday because early voting starts September 29th. (before any debates happen!) It will happen over Zoom so we can’t pack the court. Morning Giggles from League of Women Voters: The LWV decided as expected. When they picked Normal’s former City Manager as […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Normal: 1 guy against 2200 citizens

By: Diane Benjamin Patrick Dullard thinks he has the right to stand against 2200 people who signed petitions to put the Districts referendum on the ballot. Of course he’s just a stooge Koos buddy. We have proof at least two “professional staff” people have been assisting him. Oh what a tangled web they weave . […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

If Amtrak wants divisive, Chris Koos is the right guy

By: Diane Benjamin Remember this story? https://blnnews.com/2020/10/19/is-koos-profiting-from-lockdowns/ Does Amtrak want a director that openly taunts people who don’t agree with him? Yesterday Koos proved yet again he doesn’t tolerate people who disagree with him: https://blnnews.com/2022/09/09/village-of-normal-discriminates-against-stan-nord/ Mayor Chris Koos was one of the votes to not allow Trustee Stan Nord to participate in the Executive Session […]

Written by Diane Benjamin - editor

Koos finally got a hearing in the Senate

By: Diane Benjamin Last time Chris Koos was nominated to the Amtrak Board he didn’t get a hearing. https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1915 The seat he is nominated for has been vacant for years, this time it only took 4 months to get a hearing: If Koos ever gets a vote in the Senate he won’t be quitting his […]