The Herald-Times
Keep your wireless mics and headsets charged: Most government units in Monroe County, including county commissioners and the Bloomington City Council, will meet only remotely through the end of June.
The city council will hold virtual meetings through June 16, its last meeting before the summer recess, but its July 9 work session likely will have a hybrid format, said Stephen Lucas, the council’s attorney. The hybrid format will mean that a majority of council members will have to meet in person, and the public will be able to attend in person though the public and some council members also can attend remotely.
Thin Blue Line flag in Bloomington draws complaints from activists City will hold discussion before raising flag again, Mayor says. May 27, 2021 2:22pm Text size Copy shortlink:
A flag flown in support of law enforcement at Bloomington City Hall this month was an insult to residents and a tone-deaf gesture in a year dominated by talk of the need for police reform, a group of activists said Thursday.
The Thin Blue Line flag was raised for one week starting May 16 in recognition of National Police Week, a move Mayor Tim Busse shouldn t have taken, said Tahm Loyd, a member of the Bloomington Antiracist Coalition.
Editor’s note: The following is a press release from the City of Bloomington. Bloom has republished it here with minor edits for style and clarity.
A new resident-led task force has been named to review and make recommendations about law enforcement in Bloomington and Monroe County. The Future of Policing Task Force is being established as part of the City’s commitment to the reduction of racial inequities and continuous improvement of outcomes for all residents, as outlined in Mayor John Hamilton’s 2020 Recover Forward initiative and the City’s Plan to Advance Racial Equity.
The Future of Policing Task Force will actively work to develop a vision for policing that is:
WGLT
Bloomington Public Works Director Kevin Kothe shares a map of planned resurfacing projects, during Bloomington City Council s virtual meeting Monday, May 24, 2021.
The Bloomington City Council Monday night approved spending the bulk of its annual roadwork budget on a $5.1 million street resurfacing plan.
Also during the virtual meeting, the council voted to bring the Bloomington Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to downtown and learned how the city plans to share $700,000 in federal housing assistance grants.
The council voted unanimously for Rowe Construction, part of United Contractors Midwest, to complete the resurfacing. Technical bidding requirements were waived.
Public Works Director Kevin Kothe said while last year’s resurfacing focused on major stretches such as Hershey and Six Points roads, this upcoming project list is much longer, as crews will hit more neighborhood streets.
McLean County Board members gather in-person and virtually for a special meeting on May 11.
A political scientist at Illinois Wesleyan University says he hopes McLean County s redistricting commission will draw maps that will keep neighborhoods, communities and voting precincts together.
Illinois Wesleyan University Greg Shaw
Greg Shaw and Illinois Wesleyan University said gerrymandered districts have protected incumbents, even in county government.
“This is where citizens can come in and say ‘I can see a non-compact district when I see it,’ I think we should take that seriously,” Shaw said.
Shaw noted only one of 10 districts has one Republican and one Democrat on the County Board. Chair John McIntyre, a Republican, and Elizabeth Johnston, a Democrat, both represent District 5 which covers parts of Normal.