By: Diane Benjamin The City of Peoria is facing a $31 million deficit because of COVID-19: https://week.com/2020/04/14/peoria-city-council-facing-31-million-hole-cuts-likely-on-the-way/ Normal is missing close to half of their population because of college closures. What is their deficit? (crickets) http://normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3608 Since bills were not included in the last packet, there are two lists in this one. Previously Normal paid […]
By: Diane Benjamin I think I know what is going on between the McLean County Auditor and Treasurer, it isn’t the huge problem Michelle Anderson is making it out to be. Back in 2014 there was a referendum asking if the Auditor job should be abolished. I said NO – but the person holding that […]
By: Diane Benjamin I’ve known for quite awhile that for Bloomington Alderman Rob Fazzini had sued people involved with the Cornbelters. Since I was at the courthouse yesterday I decided to pull the court documents. If you ever want to see a file, get the Case Number from Public Access ( https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/137/Public-Access-Search-System ), then go to the […]
By: Diane Benjamin Monday night agenda: http://normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3373 PDF page 61 Part of Shelbourne already has bike lanes: Has anybody counted how many people use the current bike lanes? The Town claims the residents have been notified and no complaints have been made about the on-street parking ban. This one is fun! The State of Illinois shows […]
By: Diane Benjamin The former Normal City Manager isn’t sitting back enjoying retirement on his fat pension, he has a new job: https://www.govhrusa.com/associates/mark-peterson/ Mark is a Vice President for GovHR! Click the link above to see his glowing resume. Quotes: Mark doesn’t mention the still empty first floor of 1 Uptown Circle. He also doesn’t […]
By: Diane Benjamin Followup to this story: https://blnnews.com/2018/10/20/the-corn-crib-fleece/ I discovered more information about the Cornbelters. They have two liens placed by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, meaning they didn’t pay the payroll taxes due. From 2016-2017 they owe $24,173.64 including interest, from 2015 they owe $2,054.94 plus interest of $621.87. Source: 2016 and 2017 […]
By: Diane Benjamin A reader asked me how much the Town of Normal contributes to the CornBellters, so I FOIA’d that information. The Normal Cornbelters are another quasi-government organization with no transparency. Did you know for 20 years Normal is rebating all food and beverage taxes? I wonder if they audit sales? How are cash […]
By: Diane Benjamin Monday 4/16: http://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2946 Nothing that will take time to discuss is on the agenda. They should discuss spending, but won’t. Below are items I found interesting. The last time Lyle Sumek “consulted” with Normal the Town offered buyouts to employees. What will be cut next? No expense was spared for a retirement dinner! […]
By: Diane Benjamin Normal’s Bills and Payroll for tonight: http://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2730 You work hard for a paycheck. The CornBelters are failing, as evidenced by a league change, because people aren’t attending games. They attempt to make money from concerts, Normal helped them out with your money: More entertainment: Grounds maintenance at Rivian: Consultants must get a cut: […]
I remember buzzing around a Council meeting and hearing former Alderman Rob Fazzini say “A gas tax won’t raise the price of gas”. I remember hearing Fazzini was behind the Paradigm fiasco to charge Bloomington and Normal more to haul off garbage so he could turn it into jet fuel. Now I hear Fazzini was advising […]
