Businesswoman seeks Sage’s Bloomington council seat

Posted on July 25, 2018
Sage
Bloomington Alderman David Sage, seen here discussing an issue with Council member Jamie Mathy, has yet to announce whether he’ll seek another term as Ward 2 representative. (File photo by Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington alderman who’s served on the city council for just over a decade will have a challenger if he decides to seek another term.

Georgene Chissell announced she wants to become the next alderman in Ward 2. David Sage currently holds that seat, representing southwest Bloomington, but he has yet to announce his political plans for next year’s election.

Chissell said in a statement she seeks “grassroots collective resolution” to issues and concerns.

Chissell is a Democratic precinct committeewoman, runs Bloomington-based Divine Cleaning Services of Central Illinois, was a State Farm customer service specialist, and worked at Illinois State University. Chissell currently serves on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Sage has been an alderman since 2007. Council seats held by incumbents Amelia Buragas in Ward 4 and Karen Schmidt in Ward 6 are up for election next year, but they also have not revealed their intentions.

Local activist Jenn Carrillo has announced her candidacy for Schmidt’s spot on the council while McLean County Board member Josh Barnett said on Tuesday he’s a candidate in Ward 8 after incumbent Alderman Diana Hauman will not seek another term.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…