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.
Bloomington City Council meets remotely Jan. 11, 2021.
The Bloomington City Council on Monday overwhelmingly voted to join the Welcoming Network, a nonprofit group that prides itself on creating inclusive environments for immigrants through community engagement, job training and other initiatives.
The 7-0 vote, in favor of the membership in the Welcoming America Initiative, means Bloomington can actively promote “breaking barriers between the immigrant community and the rest of the population,” said Ward 2 council member Donna Boelen, who drafted the proposal.
Council members Jenn Carrillo, of Ward 6, and Jeff Crabill, of Ward 8, who have opposed joining Welcoming America saying it fails to protect the city’s immigrants from an overbearing federal system, were absent from Monday night’s meeting.
Welcoming City Ordinance may be brought before Bloomington council pantagraph.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pantagraph.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Blooomington City Council meets remotely Monday, Dec. 14, 2020.
Next month, Bloomington City Council will hear a proposal on whether to research a national program that helps communities build an inclusive culture for immigrants and other populations.
Ward 2 council member Donna Boelen presented the proposal to further study the Welcoming America Initiative during Monday s remote meeting. Despite passing 7-2, some on the council, as well as local immigrants-rights advocates, spoke against the idea.
Instead, they support first addressing the local push for a Welcoming City ordinance. That grassroots campaign calls for more direct city protection of Bloomington’s immigrant residents, supporting an ordinance limiting cooperation between Bloomington police and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).