Stories | McLean County Times

Atlanta, Illinois, library trustee accused of conflict of interest

By Ruth de Jauregui | Aug 17, 2017

Atlanta, Illinois, library trustee William Thomas failed to file a true and accurate "Statement of Economic Interests (SEI)" form in 2016 and did not disclose potential conflicts of interest, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) allege on their Illinois Leaks website.

Atlanta, Illinois, library allegedly dragging feet on trustee appointment

By Ruth de Jauregui | Aug 16, 2017

Although Illinois law says vacancies on library boards must be filled immediately, the Atlanta, Illinois, public library board has left a seat empty since March, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) contend.

Public calls out Atlanta, Illinois, library on real estate deal

By Ruth de Jauregui | Aug 15, 2017

Atlanta, Illinois, residents crowded a recent library board meeting to question the propriety and legality of purchasing property owned by one of its board members, a video of the meeting posted on the Illinois Leaks website shows.

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Atlanta, Illinois, library accused of shoddy bookkeeping or worse

By Ruth de Jauregui | Aug 14, 2017

The Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) are calling for an independent audit of the Atlanta (Illinois) Public Library's books after reviewing its reports to the state comptroller.

Watchdog group awaits Bloomington reimbursement record

By Ruth de Jauregui | Aug 12, 2017

The Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) can't wait for Monday. That's when the City of Bloomington has said it will have responded to the ECW's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding reimbursement of an airline ticket, the group says on its Illinois Leaks website.

Battle heats up over who paid for Bloomington woman's trip with mayor

By Ruth de Jauregui | Aug 5, 2017

After taking some fire from supporters of Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) have shot back on their Illinois Leaks website.

Bloomington mayor, girlfriend fly to Japan on taxpayers' backs, group contends

By Ruth de Jauregui | Aug 3, 2017

John Kraft wants to know what city business Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner's girlfriend has to conduct in Japan.

Bloomington mayor accused of using city funds for girlfriend's trip

By Ruth de Jauregui | Aug 3, 2017

Contrary to his demand for an apology from a website editor, Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner owes the city one, the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) contend.

Illinois Opportunity Project leader joins Rauner campaign push

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jul 17, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner's campaign committee has hired Matt Besler, president of the Illinois Opportunity Project, as its chief adviser, the non-profit advocacy announced on Monday.

Workers' comp fraud can't be left on back burner, law firm argues

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jul 2, 2017

The budget battle in the Illinois Statehouse has allowed workers' compensation fraud to continue largely unchecked, the law firm Keefe, Campbell, Biery & Associates (KCBA) contends.

Budget breakdown lands Illinois one step from junk bond rating

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jun 8, 2017

Illinois did something this week that no state has ever done: received a downgraded credit rating to near-junk bond status.

Egyptian Theatre feasibility study on DeKalb agenda

By Ruth de Jauregui | Feb 3, 2017

A feasibility study for the Egyptian Theatre was on the DeKalb Committee of the Whole agenda again recently.

Bloomington tree trimming to commence soon

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jan 22, 2017

The city of Bloomington announced the upcoming tree-trimming work last week.

2017 MLK Award winners announced

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jan 22, 2017

The 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Award winners were announced by the Bloomington and Normal Human Relations Commissions on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Bloomington revises shuttle, taxi downtown traffic patterns

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jan 22, 2017

The city of Bloomington recently announced changes in the downtown shuttle and taxi hubs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Bloomington violates FOIA correspondence rule

By Ruth de Jauregui | Jan 15, 2017

The Edgar County Watchdogs recently reported that the video of the Nov. 14 Bloomington City Council meeting was redacted to remove public comments before it was posted on the website.