Skip to main content
Add Me To Mailing List Member Login
Voter Info Join Us Donate
Date: 10/21/2025
Subject: News Blast October 21, 2025
From: League of Women Voters of McLean County


October 21, 2025
Drinks & Dialogue
Learn about 50501
 
Learn more about the local movement called 50501 at the next Drinks & Dialogue. It is Wednesday, October 29, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Gills St. Sports Bar, 3002B Gill St., Bloomington.
 
Guests include Dr. Michael Gizzi, ISU professor of criminal justice, and Brad Bell will share their involvement with 50501, a national grassroots movement with local community groups.   
 
League Praises, Encourages Local Government
 
The League has been monitoring discussions between McLean County, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal relative to the shared tax revenue. This was included in an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) enacted in 2016 by the three governmental entities. The sales tax dollars collected, per the IGA, are to fund mental health and public safety.
 
In recent months there have been questions raised by the City and Town regarding the transparency of funding decisions, the accounting system utilized and rationale for a fund balance. The issues are complicated and have caused both the City and Town to request a pause in funding and to level accusations of the County defaulting on the IGA on the use of the shared revenue.
The League has communicated with the leaders of the three governmental entities and the media. The League applauded the decision of 2016 to enact an IRA and to use the revenue for mental health and public safety. The IGA represents a good example of cooperation between local governments and is consistent with a position the League has advocated for years.
 
Update - Community Engagement & Behavioral Health Plan Feedback
 
League members and guests participated in four September sessions to discuss the revised McLean County Behavioral Health Action Plan. Attendees listened to Marita Landreth, Behavioral Health Coordinator and Christina Schult, Heartland Community College facilitator, presented the revised Plan.

Lively discussion suggested needing additional definition of terms, spelling out acronyms; some grammatical notations, commas, etc. Attendees further confirmed the community service focus of the revised Plan; expanding the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council; and requested a dashboard to update the community of Plan progress.

 
Impact of Cuts and Delays on Local Government Funding
November Educational Program
 
Our community information program in November will be about how actions are impacting local government funding. It will feature the efforts of a newly-formed organization called The Documentation Project. The group is recording local human impacts on cuts and delays in local government funding and sharing with the community so they are informed. 
 
The program will be Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Bloomington Public Library. Register below. 
 
Leaders Needed Now!
 
As an officer or director of the LWMC, you can make a positive difference in this community and beyond. Your talents are needed now. If you are ready to help, wish to nominate a friend, or have any questions about serving, please contact the chair of the governance committee, Cathy Pratt at info@lwvmclean.org.
Mark Your Calendar
 
Dec. 4 at 6:00:  Holiday Social Gathering
Miss the latest issue of The Voter?  Be sure you know what is going on in our League. If you missed the October Voter, click on the link below for the most recent issue.
 
 
Read LWVUS public statements about our actions to defend democracy.
 
League of Women Voters of McLean County
P.O. Box 932, Normal, IL 61761
info@lwvmclean.org
lwvmclean.org
Return to Previous Page
Join  |   Donate  |  Volunteering  |   Newsletters

Email: info@lwvmclean.org

League of Women Voters of McLean County 

PO Box 932 

Normal, IL 61761