By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s next mayor is taking the lead on issuing a formal reprimand against Ward 6 Alderwoman Jenn Carrillo who made disparaging remarks last week against two incoming city council members.
During Monday night’s city council meeting, Alderman and Mayor-elect Mboka Mwilambwe said Carrillo’s behavior is “unbecoming” of a council member.
Mwilambwe, who’s sworn in as mayor May 1, said he’s asking for a special meeting, and is requesting staff to come up with a way for the council to formally express its disapproval. He also wants staff to develop a code of conduct providing “clear expectations” of what’s expected of elected officials.
On election night, Carrillo posted on her Facebook page that she intends to make newly elected council members Sheila Montney and Nick Becker’s lives “a living hell for the next two years.”
Carrillo went on to say that Montney and Becker are “dangerous authoritarians who got bought out by the police union.” Both were endorsed by union representing Bloomington Police officers, while the progressive candidates Carrillo supported on the People’s First slate all went down to defeat.
Mwilambwe said Carrillo is setting a bad example for young people, and he said constituents are demanding and deserve better from their elected leaders.
“What I’ve seen in the fast few days is that our community has rallied and expressed outrage against this type of behavior and the comments that were made,” said Mwilambwe.
“People who ordinarily did not pay much attention to deliberations of the council have reached out to me and said they’ve had enough.
Carrillo offered no apologies.
“I’m quite fine with the example that I’m setting for young people in this community, so thank you for your concern,” she said.
“I think your disapproval is clear. There’s no need to waste anybody’s time with some formal process, but if you want to do that than that’s your prerogative,” Carrillo added.
The city council can not remove a council member from office, but Mwilambwe said lack of action amounts to “tacit” approval of Carrillo’s behavior.
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