Staff / WGLT
Carrillo made those comments on Facebook after her preferred slate of progressive candidates went 0-for-4 in the April 6 election. She said she “looked forward to making Sheila Montney’s and Nick Becker’s life a living hell for the next 2 years,” referring to the Ward 3 and Ward 5 who defeated the two candidates she backed in those races. She also called Montney and Becker, who have never held public office, “dangerous authoritarians.”
Mwilambwe said Carrillo’s remarks were “unbecoming of a council member.”
“There are countless numbers of young people who look up to us,” he said. “Constituents who expect great service from us. Many of them have demanded and deserve better.”
Bloomington Council Passes Record $251 7M Budget
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Bloomington Council Adopts $251 7M Budget
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Staff / WGLT
UPDATED 11:30 p.m. | Mboka Mwilambwe claimed victory Tuesday night after defeating two less-experienced opponents in the Bloomington mayoral election. He will become the city s first Black mayor.
Mwilambwe campaigned on his experience 10 years on the city council and a pledge to focus on updating the city’s roads and other infrastructure, and providing core services like public safety and recreation. He will succeed outgoing Mayor Tari Renner, who did not seek a third term.
Mwilambwe led with 38.7% of the vote over Mike Straza (36.9%) and Jackie Gunderson (24.1%), with all precincts reporting, according to the Bloomington Election Commission.
Mwilambwe was the only mayoral candidate with experience in elected office. He has represented Ward 3 on the city’s east side for the past decade.
Ryan Denham / WGLT
Originally published on April 2, 2021 5:24 pm
We’re nearing the end of a local election cycle unlike any other in recent history.
The pandemic has limited the personal contact that’s typically the foundation of Bloomington-Normal city council elections. That’s been partially replaced by a barrage of social media ads and campaign mailers funded by unusually large campaign contributions from outside groups. And candidates themselves are bunching up in larger ideology-driven slates than we’ve seen recently.
The sense among those interviewed by WGLT is that there is simply more at stake.
“It’s fascinating to see how seriously some groups and some individuals are taking this election,” said Joseph Zompetti, an Illinois State University professor and expert in political communication.