WANT TO HELP PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS?

Then you need to learn about the duties of serving as a Poll Watcher.

USE THIS LINK

ENJOY THE VIDEOS FROM THE 2021 CANDIDATE FORUMS HOSTED BY THE MCLEAN COUNTY REPUBLICANS

Just click on the link to go to a YouTube video of the forum.

Normal Town Council Candidate Forum 2.25.21

2021 Consolidated Elections
Posted by Connie Beard · February 24, 2021 11:30 AM

2021 Consolidated Elections

Click on a link below to learn more about candidates or continue scrolling below for various races. 

Normal Town Council Race

Normal Mayoral Race

Bloomington City Alderman Race:  Ward 3 ; Ward 5; Ward 9

Bloomington Mayor Race

Normal Township Race

School Board Races- Unit 5 and District 87

You can become part of the answer by joining our local Republican party.  CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW

A proposed change in the teaching standards used in Illinois schools is under consideration by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules in Springfield.  If this change is adopted it will impact all schools in the state of Illinois.

Here is the link to the proposed change:

Culturally_Responsive_Teaching_Standards.pdf (d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net) 

This unfunded mandate would harmful to teachers, school districts and children. 

 "Teachers have to be willing to endorse the idea that America is a systemically racist country. Crucially for Christians, they have to be willing to affirm the gender identities of any of their students and to affirm the very idea that gender is complex and fluid, meaning there are many more than two gender identities. They have to be willing to lead their students in political leftist protests and lobbying. They are encouraged... [to] consider grading their students -- not on their performance, on ordinary knowledge -- but on their social justice activism."

We have to realize what will be forced on teachers in Illinois if this standard is approved Feb. 16 by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules . We don't want more strangleholds placed on teachers, unfunded mandates placed on our school districts and restrictions on freedom of thought on our students. PLEASE READ- be informed. This is bad on so many levels. 

Please review the following resources to learn details. 

VOTENOTOCHANGINGTEACHERSTANDARDS.pdf (d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net) 

'The Woke Has Gone for Broke' (frc.org)

ACTION STEP

Contact the JCAR via their web site and let them know you want their vote to be NO. JCAR Home Page (ilga.gov)

Here are the direct emails for the members of the committee:

 9. Michael Jordon and Scottie Pippen   21" X 12"  Starting Bid $130.00 

7.  Trump Loyalty Quote 17" X 24"  Starting Bid $150.00

8. Wrigley Field 1906  Vintage 21" X 21"  Starting bid is $150

5.  Ronald Reagan At the Berlin Wall 15" X 18.5"  Starting bid-$130.00

4.  St. Louis Blues 2019 Stanley Cup Collection 15" X 24"  Starting Bid  $150

3. 1959  Wild and Wooly Hare print from Looney Toones- Lobby Card Gilcee Certified limited edition 24" X 18" .  Starting bid $150

Framed photo print of Abraham Lincoln at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland.  18" X 14"  Starting bid of $130

Maga Ride with Trump and Melania

20" X 24"

Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig  historic picture in lovely wood frame 23" X 13"  Starting bid of $130

Thank you for your bid.  When the auction ends you will be notified if you are the higest bidder.  At that time we will make arrangements for payment and pick up of your item. 

Thank you for supporting the McLean County Republicans.

Connie Beard, Chairman of McLean County Republicans, announced that John Schoening, who was nominated by Western Ave. Community Center, 600 N. Western Ave. in Bloomington, has been chosen as the 2020 McLean County Everyday Hero Award winner.

 In addition to giving Schoening public recognition, he will receive a specially commissioned award.  The award was designed and created by a local company, August Fire Designs.  As part of the award program, the McLean County Republican Central Committee has sent a check for $500 to the Western Ave. Community Center. Nominations came in from around the county for the award.  The submission of nominations began in February and culminated in 8 organizations completing the process to honor their volunteers.

 “Although our planned award ceremony has been postponed”, Beard stated, “we did not want to postpone what we believe are welcome funds to assist in the important work of Western Ave. Community Center.” The award presentation was to be part of the April 7 Lincoln Reagan Dinner.  “Those plans will be rescheduled, and Mr. Schoening will be our honored dinner guest at that event.  At that time, we will also honor all the nominees and their respective organizations.  The entire program is to focus on the contribution that our individuals and local organizations make to the welfare of our county”, said Beard.

The criteria for the award included that the nominee had volunteered a minimum of 5 years for the organization and exceeded expectations in servant leadership in the community while demonstrating genuine passion for the needs and goals of the organization.  Each nomination had to be accompanied by two letters of recommendation.

John Schoening has volunteered for 26 years serving in various ways at Western Ave. Community Center.  The mission of the center is to meet needs of at-risk kids, families and seniors with programming and support in various forms.  Schoening worked in the Hispanic Outreach Program, the After-School Program, the basketball and mentoring program, the Outreach to Seniors as well as serving on the board of directors.  Mike Jones, president of the board of WACC submitted the nomination packet which stated that John has been a vital component of helping Western Avenue continue to serve as it has for nearly 100 years.  “In accordance with the criteria of the program, he has truly met the ideals of a hero in the community”, stated Beard.

Nominations were received from the Community Health Care Clinic, Children’s Home and Aid, McLean County Museum of History, David Davis Mansion, Prairie Aviation Museum, Center for Hope Outreach Program, and the McLean County Nursing Home. All those nominated are recognized for their contribution to the quality of life in the county.

John Beckert has volunteered for 5 years, 3 days a week, at the McLean County Nursing Home, 901 N. Main St., Normal and, despite his own physical challenges, has brought joy and comfort to the residents of the nursing home. He walks 8 miles each day he serves the nursing home.

Jackie Curtis has volunteered for 11 years at the Center for Hope Outreach Program, 1308 E. Empire St., Bloomington giving vital help in the food pantry twice a week.  She has served over 3,168 hours giving service to the clients of the program.

Pete Troesch has served the last 16 years as a volunteer at the Prairie Aviation Museum,2209 E. Empire St., Bloomington.  He works to preserve and restore aircraft while fostering history appreciation. He also serves on the museum board. 

Paul and Bev Essington were nominated for their 21+ years of service to the David Davis Mansion.  They were both cited for their help with presentations, preservation and fund raising for the historical mansion. 

Diane Hawk has volunteered 23 years at the McLean County Museum of History. She has served as receptionist, general interpreter of the museum history and mentor to other volunteers.  She has played a large role in the Evergreen Cemetery Walk, a key program for the Museum.  For 15 years she has trained tour guides for the walk and helped in preparing for the major event.

Mary Ann Fulton has served over 6 years as part of the team serving in the Crisis Nursery of the Children’s Home and Aid, 403 S State St., Bloomington.  The Children’s Home and Aid partners with children, youth and families who are at risk to provide needed help.   Fulton continues to serve the Crisis Nursery through making sure supplies and food are always ready when needed.

Dr. Rachel Dalton was nominated by the Community Health Care Clinic, 900 Franklin Ave, Bloomington for her continued service to patients at the clinic.  Over the last 5 years she has volunteered her time as a gynecologist providing needed care at the clinic and has been instrumental in recruiting additional doctors to meet the needs of women’s health services.

“These fine people all deserve recognition for their service to our community”, stated Beard.

To our Valued Businesses of McLean County:

We are excited to present our Lincoln Reagan Dinner once again on Tuesday, April 7, 6pm, at the DoubleTree Hotel.  As part of the event we will honor a special volunteer chosen from those nominated by county organizations and charities.  That special volunteer will receive the McLean County Everyday Hero award and a $500 check to the charity of their choice.  We will also feature our two area U.S. Congressmen, Darin LaHood and Rodney Davis as they present the award and sit down for a conversation with the audience.

We are asking area businesses to show their support by donating an item or gift certificate for our silent auction table.  You can also become a sponsor of the dinner.  Information on sponsorships are at www.McLeanCountyRepublicans.org

Your donation helps us accomplish the following:

• Recognize those who have volunteered to make our community a better place through their work with charitable service organizations
• Build an effective outreach to college students so they learn about good sound principals that create successful growing communities.
• Find and support candidates who recognize the value of controlling spending, creating a growing economy, providing for the safety of our communities and have a desire to serve our whole community not special interests.
• Educate and inform voters about issues that directly impact our community through public meetings, community events and media.
• Help keep McLean County fiscally sound and business friendly

Your donation can be processed through the bearer of this letter or through me.

 “Lincoln Reagan Day Dinner” tickets are available online at www.McLeanCountyRepublicans.org.

Thank you for helping to keep McLean County strong.

Sincerely,

Connie Beard, Chairman

McLean County Republicans

[email protected]

309-824-9394

To download a full copy of this letter please use this link: 

Request Letter for Silent Auction

 The McLean County Republicans are searching for individuals to honor for their contribution to the good of our county through the awarding of the 

This  award will be presented at the next Lincoln Reagan Dinner to be held  at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington. Along with the award a grant of $500 will be presented to a charity chosen by the award winner. 

Citizens are urged to find a worthy nominee who meets the criteria for this award. 

Specific criteria are listed below and in the nomination form.  

The link below takes you to a PDF form that you can download and fill in online and save document. 

McLean County Everyday Hero Award Fillable Nomination Form

Completed nomination forms are to postmarked no later than Monday March 22, 2021  and mailed to:

McLean County Republicans

PO Box 25

Bloomington, IL 61701

Applications can also be emailed to [email protected] 
by March 22   Any questions can be directed to the same email address.  

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Nominees must have been engaged in volunteer activities for a minimum of five years and benefited a community or communities in a substantial, important or unique way.
2. Nominees must exceed the organization or institution’s non-profit organization expectations in servant leadership in the community while demonstrating genuine passion for the needs and goals of the organization.
3. Self-nominations are not
4. Family members may not nominate another family member for an award.
5. Group/team and corporate volunteerism nominations can be made by those external to the group/team or corporation/business.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. All nominations must be submitted on the nomination form.
2. While we regret any inconvenience it may cause, all nominations must be typed. Handwritten forms will not be accepted.  Adobe Acrobat, for free, offers typing onto this form.
3. Two reference letters typed and signed are required for each nomination. These can be submitted via email. The nominator may not serve as one of the references.
4. The nomination must be signed and dated by the nominator. Forms without these required, dated signatures will be considered as incomplete and not considered for the award. Verified digital signatures with dates are acceptable.
5. Nominations must be received either by email or mail on or before 5:00pm Monday, March 16.

CRITERIA FOR AWARD

Nominee has voluntarily contributed to any nonprofit organization or institution for a minimum of five years and exceeds the organization or institution’s non-profit organization goals for volunteers in the following ways:                                          

• Leadership in the community
• Visionary Thinking
• Servant leadership
• Ethics in thoughts, words and actions
• Genuine passion for the needs and goals of the organization

TIMELINE

Submission Deadline- March 22

Awardee contacted- March 30

Award presented- April 30, 2021