By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington mayor Tari Renner said the city has made a lot of progress in his first term and added there are many challenges ahead as he has asked for a second term.
In an announcement at the Route 66 Visitors Center downtown, Renner acknowledged his sometimes-brash style as something he wants to soften a bit.
“Unless you are a real narcissist you have to constantly take a look at yourself in the mirror and say ‘I did some bad things, I shouldn’t have done this. How do I improve myself as a human being?’ ” Renner said. “I’ve had to take a real close look at myself as being human and very fallible.”
Renner said the city has invested $22 million in infrastructure in the last four years and helped grow the economy while cutting 100 jobs in city government. He cited the opening of the Route 66 Visitors Center, the relocation of Dicks Sporting Goods, a Kroger superstore and Advocate BroMenn’s soon-to-open fitness center as signs of economic growth in the city even in the midst of the recent Mitsubishi closing.
He said he shook up the old boys network at city hall and has gotten things done.
“For a long time, especially when I was first mayor, there are a lot of people who would come talk to me and said we know stuff is happening in Normal, we don’t see you people in Bloomington doing anything,” Renner said. “Nobody can say Bloomington isn’t doing something now.”
Renner also touted the city’s ‘A’ grade from the Illinois Policy Institute as a sign of the city’s improvements in transparency. The city previously received a failing grade.
Retired Caterpillar worker Steve Campbell who attended the announcement, said he’s known Renner for close a decade and calls himself a supporter.
“He’s very intelligent, but very level headed,” Campbell said. “I think he can relate to problems and issues at that level, common sense.”
Renner defeated John Hanson and Lex Green in 2013 after narrowly losing to incumbent Steve Stockton in 2009.
Renner previously served on the McLean County Board and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2004 against veteran Republican incumbent Jerry Weller. Renner is an political science professor at Illinois Wesleyan University.
No other candidate has formally declared intentions to run.
Normal mayor Chris Koos announced last month he plans to seek a fourth term.
Candidates can begin circulating petitions on Aug. 30. Petitions must be filed Nov. 21-28. The general election is scheduled for April 4. A primary election would be held on Feb. 28 if necessary.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
