On today's episode, you'll hear from Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe. Also, an exit interview with retiring Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner. And a Growmark agronomist shares what central Illinois farmers are up to with planting season just weeks away.
Monday’s standoff on Veterans Parkway was unusual: A man with a gun threatened to shoot police, shutting down traffic at one of Bloomington-Normal’s busiest intersections. But police in Bloomington-Normal are no strangers to calls involving someone with mental health or behavioral health issues.
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Law enforcement officials and prosecutors said they feel blindsided by a massive criminal justice reform bill introduced by the Black Democratic Caucus in the Illinois House, with police saying they are shocked and surprised at the timing and sweeping scope of the measure. After what had happened in Minneapolis, we were certainly very vocal as law enforcement leaders about wanting to look at change and be involved in change, said Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner.
Bleichner said police advocates were not an equal player in developing the package. On Friday, the bill dropped without a lot of previous discussion. McLean County State s Attorney Don Knapp said a lack of debate on legislation is a good way to create unintended consequences.