By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington City Council member Jenn Carrillo still wants the council to pass a “welcoming city” ordinance to protect undocumented immigrants from possible deportation.

At the conclusion of Monday night’s council meeting, Carrillo said she wants the issue on the agenda again even though April 6 election results suggest it will be more difficult to pass the resolution.

A “welcoming city” ordinance would restrict local police from cooperating with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigations.

Carrillo said she will present the issue at a future committee-of-the-whole meeting, and a majority of council members must agree to place the issue on a regular city council meeting agenda.

During the campaign, newly-elected Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe said he is opposed to the resolution. Also, new members Nick Becker and Sheila Montney were elected after receiving endorsements from the Bloomington Police officer’s union.

Police leaders are scheduled to present an annual report to the council at next Monday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting. Carrillo said she wants them to explain how officers currently deal with ICE agents.

All city-owned facilities to reopen next month

City Manager Tim Gleason said he expects all city government-owned facilities to reopen June 1 or 2 as part of the Gov. JB Pritzker’s to Phase 5 of his Restore Illinois plan.

Gleason said 60% of city workers will return to their posts when all facilities reopen.

Alderwoman Mollie Ward noted that people are still dying from COVID-19 even though she said it seems like people are holding back on getting vaccinated.

“If you have the opportunity to get vaccinated, go get vaccinated,” said Ward.

“You’re saving somebody’s life and it’s not just you own,” Ward added.

City to open one-stop-shop for city government services

A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for next Monday, May 17 as the city opens “The Hub.” It will be located on the ground floor of the McLean County Government Center in Downtown Bloomington, and serve as one-stop-shoping for people to get their city business done.

“They can get all of their questions answered. They can come and pay bills. They can apply for grants and services. They can do all of those things at one location,” said Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus.

Alderman Mathy selected as Mayor Pro Tem

The council unanimously picked Alderman Jamie Mathy to serve as Mayor Pro Tem,

Mathy would perform official mayoral responsibilities if Mayor Mwilambwe is temporarily not able to carry out those duties.

Mathy has served as Ward 1 alderman since 2013. Mwilambwe said Mathy was the only council member expressing interest in serving as Mayor Pro Tem.