By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington city officials announced Monday they are working with Illinois State Police on an investigation of past operations at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
A press release stated the investigation focuses on operations at the venue prior to VenuWorks taking over management from Central Illinois Arena Management on April 1. CIAM had operated the Coliseum since it opened in 2006.
“As part of the management transition, City staff conducted extensive internal reviews and auditing. These reviews brought forward multiple areas of concern for City staff which we promptly reported to the Illinois State Police in an effort to determine whether any unlawful conduct had occurred,” City Manager David Hales stated in the release.
City Attorney Jeff Jurgens said the city contacted ISP “several months ago.”
“Since that time, a small group from the City has been working very closely with the State Police and we will continue to do so through the completion of the investigation,” Jurgens said.
Mayor Tari Renner stated:
“On behalf of the City, I want to extend my appreciation for the involvement of the Illinois State Police in this investigation. I also want to extend my appreciation to our City Manager and staff, who have expended a tremendous amount of time and resources in laying the groundwork for the investigation, and their diligence in bringing their concerns forward. The reason we are where we are today is because the City did its due diligence. The City Council and I, every step of the way, are fighting for the taxpayers.
I would also call on our community to wait for all of the facts and avoid a rush to judgment. This is not the time for politics or half truths. There are professionals involved, and we need to let them do their job without interference.
I am proud to say our City Manager and staff have been working with ISP for months. We bring the announcement of the investigation forward now in the interest of transparency and anticipating it may have become public in the near future as the criminal investigation continues.“
When asked, Renner declined to offer further comment. Alderwoman Diana Hauman told WJBC’s Terry James she knew the city had been going through an audit of CIAM.
“We all heard similar rumors. So, really I had no idea,” said Hauman. “I was waiting to see something concrete – or am waiting to see something concrete.”
Hauman explained she can’t make further comments because it is an ongoing investigation.
CIAM President John Butler issued a statement Monday afternoon:
“I was shocked and surprised to hear the City of Bloomington has involved the Illinois State Police in any matter from the time Central Illinois Arena Management was manager of the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
After the erroneous reports last week about concession payments to the City and the Mayor’s comments, I contacted the City and offered to meet with them and discuss any concerns they had about the Coliseum management. However I have been rebuffed.
Given the situation, I welcome any inquiry and will cooperate fully. The Coliseum staff was a professional staff and I am confident there has been no wrong doing and at the most only differences in interpretation of the Management Agreement.
The Mayor was wrong and premature in his comments last week and today given I have had no opportunity to address their concerns.
I feel like I have been ambushed.”
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
