but that there are no plans currently to propose such an ordinance. (WJBC file photo)
By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Normal Mayor Chris Koos expects the town council to consider a “welcoming” statement for immigrants and other minorities later this year, but drawing up a declaration is a much quieter process compared to what’s happening in Normal’s neighboring city to the south.
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner announced his support in a rousing speech earlier this month to a crowd of about 300 advocates who marched to City Hall the night Renner was sworn-in for a second term.
Renner also suggested Bloomington revamp community and minority relations boards to improve communication between citizens and police.
Koos indicated there is no such plan in Normal, although he met privately with a couple organizers of the “Keep Families Together” demonstration in Bloomington May 3rd.
“We had a meeting five, six-weeks ago, and (they) handed us a draft ordinance to consider,” Koos said. “My legal department looked at it and had some issues with some of the language in the ordinance,” the mayor added.
Koos said he is “generally supportive of some kind of welcoming statement.”
As for illegal immigration, Koos recently told friends on Facebook that illegal immigration is an “incredibly complex issue.”
“There’s no quick, easy sound bite solution here,” Mayor Koos said.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
