Bloomington church vandalism displaces some voters from polling location

Posted on March 15, 2024

*Instead of the church, voters from precincts 5, 7,12, and 59 should report to Grossinger Motors Arena on election day – March 19. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)*

BLOOMINGTON – An act of vandalism is forcing some voters in Bloomington to go to a different polling location during the Primary Elections on March 19.

According to the Bloomington Election Commission, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church will no longer be a polling location after the church was broken into and vandalized on Saturday.

Instead of the church, voters from precincts 5, 7,12, and 59 should report to Grossinger Motors Arena on election day – March 19.

The church was one of several locations vandalized on Saturday. Holy Trinity Catholic Church and several businesses in the area were also targeted.

Mt. Pisgah is one of the oldest Black churches in Bloomington. It suffered damage to several areas, including the sanctuary and the basement. At least two fire extinguishers were destroyed in the sanctuary.

Dr. Timothy Harris, senior pastor at Mt. Pisgah, said a woman has been taken into custody in relation to the vandalism.

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…