Bloomington mayor discusses state of the city

Posted on May 2, 2024

*Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe delivered his State of the City Address at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

It was held on Wednesday, May 1 to kickoff the city’s fiscal year.

Bloomington saw improvements with the newly established Arts and Entertainment Department, the BCPA saw more than 15,000 people in the first quarter alone.

The mayor also gave praises to the first responders. The fire department responded to more than a record breaking 13,000 calls, and the police department saw a 6% drop in crime.

Mwilambwe said, “Over the past year the city has seen remarkable progress, but that hasn’t come without challenges. Yet, through unity, determination and resilience, we have emerged stronger than ever.”

He mentioned some of the library renovations including a podcast room, nursing nook and drive-thru window while also lauding the Parks and Recreation Department for their bulk pick ups.

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…