Bella Marello
Image courtesy of the City of Bloomington BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The City of Bloomington is kicking off its budget season with a preview presented at Monday’s City Council meeting. The proposed budget totals about $370.5 million, a 6.8% increase from last year. It includes a 38% increase in the capital budget for infrastructure projects and […]
Image taken by Bella Marello NORMAL, Ill. – Discussion over relocating Normal Fire Department Station 2 continued at the Normal Town Council meeting Monday. The town previously presented data showing no major change in fire response times if the station is relocated, emphasizing a four- to six-minute response time goal. The Associated Fire Fighters of […]
Image courtesy of the City of Bloomington BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington City Council discussed and voted on an action proposing the purchase of new handguns for the Bloomington Police Department. Ward 7 Council member Mollie Ward pulled the item from the consent agenda to amend the action. Ward’s amended version of the item failed, […]
Image taken by Bella Marello NORMAL, Ill. – Town officials told the Normal Town Council Monday that relocating a fire station would not slow emergency response times, presenting GIS-based data that sparked an intense and detailed debate among council members over how fire coverage is measured and planned. On Monday, Feb. 3, a team of […]
Image courtesy of the City of Bloomington BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – After hearing impassioned testimony from residents on both sides, the Bloomington City Council approved a citywide ban on kratom during its Monday meeting. Ward 2 Council member Michael Mosley introduced the ordinance and urged his colleagues to support the amendment. “This ordinance comes from a […]
Image taken by Bella Marello NORMAL, Ill. – The Normal Town Council faced some strong criticism from the community Tuesday during its biweekly town council meeting, with five public speakers urging the council not to relocate Normal Fire Station No. 2. Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois President Chuck Sullivan emphasized that the association found in […]
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington City Council met Monday, Jan. 12, to hear public comment on solar energy issues and to approve amendments and additions to downtown zoning codes. City Manager Jeff Jurgens also provided a project update report to the council and the public. During public comment, Nadeem Demian, senior development manager at Cultivate […]
Image courtesy of the City of Bloomington BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington City Council met Monday, Dec. 8, and opened its meeting with new committee appointments before turning to union remarks and a lengthy debate over proposed changes to the city’s bulk waste collection services. During public comment, AFSCME Council 31 staff representative Renee Nestler […]
Image courtesy of the Town of Normal NORMAL, Ill. – The Normal Town Council approved an amendment to Municipal Manager Pamela Reece’s employment agreement, a decision that passed with only one dissenting vote from council member Kathleen Lorenz. Lorenz explained her opposition by pointing to the disparity between Reece’s raise and what other employees receive. […]
Image courtesy of the Town of Normal NORMAL, Ill. – The Normal Town Council met Monday evening, approving the 2025 Property Tax Levy and the installation of a fitness court in Rosa Parks Commons. A motion to authorize the preparation of the 2025 property tax levy ordinance was brought before the council. Normal City Manager […]