Most Bloomington aldermen say they’re disappointed in Mayor Tari Renner's recent behavior.
Near the end of Monday night's meeting, Ward 8 Alderman Diana Hauman read from a statement and delivered a letter admonishing Renner. The letter was signed by Hauman and Aldermen David Sage, Jamie Mathy, Mboka Mwilambwe, Joni Painter, and Karen Schmidt. Aldermen Scott Black, Amelia Buragas, and Kim Bray did not sign it.
PDF: Read the letter from aldermen to Renner
The six aldermen expressed concern about Renner’s behavior leading up to his recent five-week leave of absence. That included several online outbursts directed at his critics—the same type of behavior that lead to aldermen admonishing Renner in 2015. At his first council meeting Oct. 9 after returning from leave, Renner said he was troubled by increasingly hostile conduct aimed at elected officials.
In their letter Monday, the aldermen told Renner they expected him to acknowledge and apologize for his behavior when he returned from his leave. Instead, Renner “chose to berate others for acrimonious behavior instead of calling for a renewed commitment to setting a standard of mutual respect,” the aldermen wrote.
“As elected officials, we are called upon to represent the citizens with respect and civility,” aldermen wrote. “Whether you did so as an individual or as the mayor, your recent interactions do not demonstrate respect or integrity. Your actions do not reflect the values of the City of Bloomington and bring disgrace to our governing body.”
The six aldermen asked Renner to “respect the office you have been elected to and apologize to the citizens of Bloomington.”
Hauman, who ran unsuccessfully against Renner in the mayoral primary earlier this year, did not provide additional comments to media. She said the letter speaks for itself.
Tighter Rules for Spending
In a related vote, the Bloomington City Council approved a measure that will tighten procedures for how elected officials—including the mayor—are reimbursed for expenses related to city business.
The changes will move the city toward a full reimbursement model, meaning elected officials would incur expenses personally and then seek reimbursement. There would be some exceptions that would allow aldermen to ask city administration to pay for, say, airfare or other larger expenses upfront on the city’s credit card.
The new ordinance would also prohibit any elected official from having his or her own city purchasing card, or P-Card. Renner is currently the only official with a card in his own name.
Sage spearheaded the new restrictions, although it’s unclear what specifically prompted his interest in the new policy. He’s referenced the “recent past” but did not elaborate.
Renner has faced questions—and a State Police investigation—related to his summer trip to Japan as part of a 55th anniversary Sister Cities celebration. The city paid upfront for airfare for Renner and his partner—a local teacher who was a delegate on the trip—though his partner reimbursed the city soon after. Renner has denied wrongdoing against the “frivolous, ridiculous” charges.
Renner said Monday that spending policies were already strict.
"There have been no abuses regardless of media attention to the P-Card policy or what has happened,” said Renner. He was apparently referring to a Pantagraph story published Friday that reported Renner used his city-issued credit card for a business meal during his five-week leave of absence.
The State Police investigation is ongoing. The Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor has been appointed as special prosecutor in the case.
Renner is scheduled to appear on GLT’s Sound Ideas at noon Tuesday.
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