Single-story flat-roofed brick building with two entrances and a flag pole in front.

Former Bloomington City Hall

If you look down the street to the east you will see a mural on the corner of a retaining wall. It is titled “Let Our Light Shine” and was a project of Not in our Town/Not in our Schools. The student artists had a common message they wanted to portray: We should all accept one another for who we are, get along, and work together to make the world a better place.

If you look down the street to the east you’ll see a mural on the corner of a retaining wall. It is titled “Let Our Light Shine” and was a project of Not in our Town/Not in our Schools. The student artists had a common message they wanted to portray: We should all accept one another for who we are, get along, and work together to make the world a better place.

Mural painted on a street corner with the words Let Our Light Shine and a book. — Let Our Light Shine mural

Open Housing Ordinance

Bloomington City Hall has witnessed numerous contentious debates, public hearings, and protests through the years. On July 24, 1964, after four years of effort, Bloomington passed an open housing ordinance. The NAACP had presented a proposal, the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal’s attorneys had come up with a weaker version.

Speaking against the weaker version were NAACP leader Merlin Kennedy, ISU professor Carrol Cox, Reverends Jack Newsome and T.A. Clark, and high school math teacher George Warren.

Black and white portrait of a Black man in a suit, wearing black glasses, a slender mustache, and curly hair. — Merlin Kennedy

Alderman Walt Bittner called for a delay, but council member Frank Hartenstein moved for support of the NAACP version, saying “the time has come when we have to make a decision.” Council member Lawrence Nordine seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor.

The Pantagraph reported that Merlin Kennedy had a “look of astonishment,” seeing years of effort culminate successfully. Kennedy unsuccessfully ran for city council that spring on a housing reform platform.

Human Rights Ordinance

In 1984, 1996, and 2002, Bloomington considered amending its human relations ordinance to include LGBTQ+ people. In 1984, council member Steve Simms raised the issue, but the proposal met stiff opposition from Bloomington’s alderpersons, and never went beyond council work sessions. In 1996, the ordinance was defeated 6-1, with council member Mike Matejka the only supportive vote.

Women sit with poster board signs saying My God Doesn't Discriminate, and I Am a Member of This Community. — Kim Fisher, Linda Ketcham, Carolyn (Carrie) Ketcham inside Bloomington City Council chambers to witness the 1996 vote

Despite failing to pass the sexual orientation ordinance, members of Bloomington-Normal’s LGBTQ community had reason to believe they were making serious progress, and their efforts had garnered national attention. Jerry Pope, co-chairman of the Action Committee of the Advocacy Council for Human Rights, and Bloomington Mayor Jesse Smart both appeared on the Phil Donahue show, a popular daytime talk show.

In 2001 the sexual orientation amendment to the City of Bloomington’s discrimination ordinance was back on the agenda. However, the vote was delayed by Mayor Judy Markowitz for seven months, while she waited for a council meeting when all would be present. Finally, on October 28, 2002, the vote went before the Bloomington City Council and was approved 6-2.

Newspaper clipping of a group of men and women clapping. — Equality Illinois Political Director Rick Garcia of Chicago, right, stood and applauded with Julie Turner, center, and Paula Dapkus, left, both of Bloomington, after the Bloomington City Council amended the human rights ordinance to include sexual orientation in 2002

Organization

Illinois NAACP

The Illinois NAACP works to disrupt inequality, dismantle racism, and accelerate change in key areas including criminal justice, health care, education, climate, and the economy.

linkillinoisnaacp.org

Online Exhibit

Open Housing Ordinance, 1967

In 1967, Illinois State University adopted affirmative action and began a concerted effort to recruit Black students. But an open housing ordinance had not been passed in Normal, and the ability of Black students to find housing was limited because of discriminatory housing practices. In addition, realtors refused to show homes to Black professionals in white neighborhoods.

linkmchistory.org

Online Exhibit

Human Rights Ordinance, 1984

Members of McLean County’s gay and lesbian community faced discrimination, hateful rhetoric, and physical harm long before the Town of Normal or the City of Bloomington began to consider adding sexual orientation to their discrimination ordinances.

linkmchistory.org

Not in Our Town BN

linkniotbn.squarespace.com