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Nick Becker, left, and Patrick Lawler are running for Bloomington City Council in Ward 5, representing the city s near-east side.
Whether and how the Bloomington City Council tackles some of the thorniest social justice issues in the community may hinge on the outcome of the April 6 election.
Depending on the results, up to four new city council members could be sworn in in May. Police funding and reforms, including the Welcoming City immigration ordinance, appear likely to resurface during the next four years, as well as myriad economic inclusivity issues.
Here’s a look at each contested race:
Nick Becker, a vice president for a data services firm, will face high school teacher Patrick Lawler. Ward 5 incumbent Joni Painter is not seeking re-election.
The candidates running for mayor and city council in Bloomington mostly praise what city government has done so far in providing relief to residents and
Bloomington City Council meets remotely Feb. 8, 2021.
The Bloomington City Council on Monday agreed to keep City Manager Tim Gleason on contract until March 2025, nine months longer than his current contract, and the earliest time he’s eligible for retirement.
Also at Monday’s remote meeting, the council voted to start its $4.3 million, Phase 2 water main project on Locust Street; and to add two youth members to the city’s police advisory board.
Gleason’s contract, in which his annual base salary is just over $197,000, had been set to expire July 1, 2024. The decision, presented as part of the council’s consent agenda, passed unanimously, with no discussion.
Breanna Grow / WGLT
Council members voted 5-4 at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting to direct staff to draft an ordinance to bring to the council for a future vote.
Council member Jenn Carrillo submitted the latest proposal, written in conjunction with fellow alderman Jeff Crabill.
In 2017, before winning the Ward 6 seat, Carrillo was one of the lead organizers behind the Keep Families Together Coalition aimed at passing Welcoming Cities ordinances in Bloomington and Normal.
Carrillo said the past and current iterations of the proposal in Bloomington have the same goal: “protect our undocumented residents by establishing a very clear separation between ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and local law enforcement.”