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Bloomington City Council at its virtual meeting earlier this week. (Photo courtesy HOI ABC)

By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington City Council member is calling on the council to support using taxpayer dollars for direct aid to residents feeling economic hardships from the coronavirus pandemic.

According to our news partner HOI ABC, Jeff Crabill recommends spending at least $100,000 because aid administered by federal and state governments, as well as non-profit organizations, is limited, hard to access, subject to delay, and not available to all in the community.

Crabills request comes as a coalition of community activists demands increases in spending, secure housing, and the release of jail inmates who face increased risk of exposure to COVID-19, but cant afford to post bail required for their release.

We know there is a need, as there has been a significant increase in joblessness through the closing of nonessential businesses and a reduction in staff by restaurants, Crabill said in a document asking for the matter to be discussed at Monday nights committee-of-the-whole council meeting.

The council is being asked to decide if theres sufficient support to place the issue on the April 27 council meeting agenda.

At the council meeting this past Monday night, Mayor Tari Renner indicated local leaders will have to take action.

For some people, its more than an inconvenience, its really, really a crisis in terms of employment, in terms of housing issues, in terms of food, in terms of health care, the mayor said.

Theyre hitting our least advantaged citizens the hardest, and I think weve got to recognize that as we move forward, Renner also said.

The City of Bloomington Township would oversee any new funding. The city council acts as township trustees.

Direct local government aid to the needy is one of the demands from the Protect Our People coalition, which has been holding weekly meetings on Zoom to discuss the pandemics impact.

The group argues Bloomington and Normal governments have tens of millions of dollars available to help the poor.

Illinois Peoples Action, the Bloomington-Normal Democratic Socialists of America, and the local chapter of Black Lives Matter are organizing the coalition and its lobbying effort.

WJBC News can be reached at news@wjbc.com

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Bloomington council urged to boost aid to hardest hit in pandemic's fallout - WJBC News