By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington alderman said it’s time for her colleagues to follow Normal’s lead and vote on a ‘welcoming city’ ordinance as a response to the Trump Administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

“I think we need something definitive so we can put it to bed,” said Alderman Diana Hauman, who sat through last Monday’s debate in Normal.

Hauman said her colleagues can learn a lot if they watch the debate and public comment on YouTube.

“Even though people didn’t agree, they were respectful of one another. Even the public comment, I think Mayor (Chris) Koos did an excellent job of setting the expectations before public comments started. The residents, whether they were from Bloomington or Normal, were following those recommendations from the mayor,” Hauman said.

Normal council members voted 5-2 last week to adopt a ‘welcoming’ resolution, which includes a provision requiring the police chief to decide on a case-by-case basis whether the department should work with federal immigration agents.

Hauman said she supports the concept of a ‘welcoming city’ ordinance, but believes aldermen need to settle the issue one way or the other.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]