By WMBD TV
BLOOMINGTON – After serving as Bloomington’s Mayor for the past three years, Mboka Mwilambwe is looking for another term to accomplish his goals for the city.
He held a campaign kick-off event Thursday at the Parke Regency Hotel, surrounded by friends and supporters. Mwilambwe spoke about some of his achievements over his first term and what more still needs to be done.
Accomplishments
He pointed to a $25 million renovation of the Bloomington Public Library, which was the first time the library was updated since 1976, as a major accomplishment. He also pointed to water treatment projects, such as updating the city’s aging sewer system.
Mwilambwe said the city council is in a good place, saying they’ve “turned a corner” on public approval from where it was before he was elected in 2021. He thinks it reflects his “calm demeanor” and commitment to collaboration.
“It’s a council that doesn’t necessarily agree all the time, but we are united in terms of what we want to do for the city,” he said.
Plans to beautify Bloomington’s downtown were also seen as a positive development in Mwilambwe’s first term.
What still needs to be done
In terms of things to work on, he said the housing shortage is a big problem facing the city. He brought up examples of some workers in the city who have to commute from as far as Aurora.
While a new subdivision was recently approved by city council that will lead to the construction of 58 townhomes, it won’t be fully built for at least a few years.
He also mentioned economic growth as a goal for his next term, which he said goes hand in hand with the housing shortage. His belief is that more people living in the city will stimulate local businesses, thus helping the economy.
The city is also looking at job cuts over the next few years to deal with budget deficits. Mwilambwe said the city will do “the best it can” to provide the same services but they may have to “become more efficient” in how they operate.
Mwilambwe previously served on Bloomington City Council from 2011 until his election as mayor.
He is running against Ward 6 City Councilman Cody Hendricks and former State Rep. Dan Brady in the mayoral race. The election will be held on April 1.
WMBD can be reached at [email protected].
