By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington will greet three new city council members, but a current alderwoman is not rolling out the welcome mat for two of the new members elected on Tuesday.
Ward 6 Council member Jenn Carrillo was not up for reelection this year, but the progressive candidates she supported on the People First Coalition slate all went down to defeat.
Carrillo singled out Sheila Montney’s victory over Willie Holton Halbert in Ward 3 and Nick Becker’s win over Patrick Lawler in Ward 5.
Montney and Becker received endorsements from Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit 21, the union representing Bloomington Police officers.
Montney and Becker oppose efforts to reduce police department funding, an effort Carrillo backs in the wake of George Floyd’s killing while in Minneapolis Police custody.
Carrillo offered this reaction to the election results in a Facebook post:
“I look forward to making Sheila Montney’s and Nick Becker’s life a living hell for the next two years,” said Carrillo.
“They’re dangerous authoritarians who got bought out by the police union. I have no interest in seeking unity with people who stand for everything i stand against,” Carrillo also said.
Montney takes the seat now held by apparent Mayor-elect Mboka Mwilambwe.
Becker replaces Joni Painter, who did not seek reelection.
Current Ward 7 Alderwoman Mary ‘Mollie’ Ward defeated Kelby Cumpston to retain her seat. The council appointed Ward last year to replace Scott Black who moved from Ward 7.
Tom Crumpler was the apparent winner over former Alderman Jim Fruin to represent Ward 9. With all precincts reporting, Crumpler held a 19 vote lead, receiving 951 votes to Fruin’s 932.
Crumpler and Fruin were competing to win the seat now held by Kimberly Bray, who did not seek another term.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].
