By: Diane Benjamin Budgeting low for optics is how government works. That is why many “budget amendments” happen throughout the year. It isn’t departments that budget low, it’s administration cutting budgets to make themselves look good. Since the 2025 County financial statement haven’t been issued yet, look at 2024: https://mcleancountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30155/ACFR-123120240001 PDF page 122 and following […]
By: Diane Benjamin More on this story: https://blnnews.com/2025/02/20/instigation-cassy-taylor-and-lizzy-johnston/ Below is an Amended D-2 filing with the State Board of Elections by the committee created to abolish the Auditors office. Note the beginning cash balance. No filings were required until $5000 was raised/spent so all the contributions aren’t listed. I do know where some came from: […]
By: Diane Benjamin The McLean County Ethics Commission referred both Taylor and Johnston today to the State’s Attorney for further investigation. This involves the solicitation of donations on County property to get the McLean County Auditor office abolished. I don’t have a lot of details, but they issued a statement that sufficient evidence exists to […]
By: Diane Benjamin Nobody is afraid of consequences for breaking election law and misuse of public funds. How long is it going to take McLean County to investigate Lizzy Johnston’s alleged soliciting money on County property to abolish the County Auditor? Another year? Why did Lizzy lawyer up for a State Board of Elections investigation? […]
By: Diane Benjamin Swearing in the newly elected board members and picking a new chair is tomorrow: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10566 Weren’t Democrats the ones who demanded meetings be held when people could actually attend? This meeting is at 8:30 AM. As long as Lizzy Johnston is subject to possible investigation for illegally shaking down County employees to […]
By: Diane Benjamin Continuation of this story: https://blnnews.com/2024/11/29/alleged-illegal-activity-at-mclean-county/ Lizzy is Elizabeth Johnston. She plans to be the new County Board chair since the Democrats are now the majority. (I told you this is going to be fun!) The text messages below are between Trevor Sierra and Lizzy Johnson. Trevor is requesting a refund for the […]
By: Diane Benjamin Quotes from this article: https://unionhall.aflcio.org/bloomington-normal-trades-and-labor-assembly/news/bn-trades-hosts-candidates-forum-makes-local “On June 5 the Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly (AFL-CIO) and the Livingston & McLean Counties Building & Construction Trades Council hosted a local candidates’ forum. Specific questions were given to candidates in advance so delegates could compare their answers.” . Read the article, unions endorsed […]
By: Diane Benjamin More on this story: https://blnnews.com/2024/02/14/a-legal-public-comment-policy-isnt-on-the-county-board-agenda-blame-democrats/ All of the proposed changes before the Rules Committee were written by Democrats. The rule changes were theirs, you need to know that to see why Val Laymon’s motion to reconsider violated Robert’s Rules of Order and Board rules. The proof is right in the document the Democrats proposed changes […]
By: Diane Benjamin One Democrat was denied the right to attend the meeting tonight remotely which meant 9 Republicans were present and voting to 8 Democrats present and voting. The rules were changed by the Republican majority to elect a chair based on the majority present instead of a majority of the total. On a […]
