By Michael J. Whelan

Tonight the Bloomington City Council may decide to increase the local sales tax rate. The Town of Normal has already decided to do so, contingent on Bloomington doing the same.

Both city councils are trying to sell the idea by saying they each need increased revenues asap, and if they don’t do it now it’ll be too late to do it later if they want the money to flow in next year.

Before either one or both of these bodies takes this step, I for one would like to see them cut even deeper in their own budget projections. I am not convinced that there still isn’t more fat to be cut away in both operations.

And while I’m on this subject, since when did either city decide that it needs to fund private enterprise projects such as soccer fields?

On another note, I read last week that both public school districts want a piece of the proposed increased tax revenues to come to them, crying that they can’t depend on State of Illinois funding levels they once used to enjoy. How about the top heavy administrative salaries in both districts be reduced by the same percentage of the proposed tax increase?

Of course, tonight our elected city leaders will adopt the “monkey see, monkey do” approach, and go along with the Town of Normal.

Get ready to open your pocketbooks even wider.

Michael J. Whelan has been a licensed practicing attorney for over 33 years. He also serves as an arbitrator in the 11th Judicial Circuit Mandatory Arbitration program. In addition, he is presently the president of the board of directors of his homeowners association, and is also a member of the board of directors of The Old House Society. He and his wife of thirty-one plus years, Cheryl Whelan, live in Bloomington. He and Cheryl enjoy exercising, reading, and being close to family and friends.

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