Renner unsure how $750,000 will be spent

Posted on December 26, 2014

Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner waits with the rest of us as a committee decides how $750,000 will be spent. (WJBC file photo)

By Terry James

BLOOMINGTON – How will the $750,000 state grant facilitated by State Senator Bill Brady will be spent?  That's anyone's guess.  A news release from State Senator Bill Brady this week says the money is for projects in the 44th district.  Renner has said the money was earmarked for Bloomington.

"The State of Illinois might actually take projects like this back," says Renner. "They might say if you haven't used this money in five years, we're going to take this back and try to balance our budget."

The spending of that money was before the Bloomington City Council this month.  They shot down a proposal to spend the state grant on land near McGraw park which would have been leased to Bloomington Central Catholic High School for a practice football field. Some of the suggestions being considered include having the money for a Connect Transit project, a Chestnut Health System project, and projects in Delavan.  Renner says it's even possible the state could take the money back.  A group has been formed to make a recommendation to Brady.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

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