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Ward 8 Alderman· 2023–2027 (cycle default: IL municipal terms begin May 1, end Apr 30)

Kent Lee

Bloomington

About

The candidate's platform centers on enhancing public safety and fostering local economic opportunity. Overall campaign priorities focus on community development and addressing key civic issues within Bloomington.

Campaign promises (1)

  • public-safety
    The candidate focused their council bid on improving public safety and expanding economic opportunity in Bloomington.
    Related votes

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Dec 31, 2027.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
22
Total speaking time
26:49
Avg per meeting
1:13
Segments
406

Want every word Lee has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Lee said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

critical↑Mar 2026[37]

Zoning Code Text Amendments and Data Center Regulations

None directly associated with code text amendments.

critical↓May 2026[36]

August 13 Storm Recovery Costs and Federal Assistance

Covers initial tree removal costs while seeking further federal disaster assistance.

critical↑Apr 2026[33]

Redevelopment of 801 N. Main Street

Project costs and potential public incentives will be finalized during upcoming negotiations.

critical→Jan 2026[25]

Gun Violence Statistics and Police Briefing

Null

critical↑Jan 2026[21]

FY 2027 Financial Status and Emerging Budget Pressures

Sets property tax collections for township administration, general assistance, and cemetery funds.

medium↑May 2026[17]

2026 Cultural Commission Events

medium↑Sep 2026[15]

Bloomington Center for Performing Arts Programming

medium↑Apr 2026[13]

Commission Report and Group Collaboration Strategy

Reduces administrative overhead and staff time dedicated to separate board meetings.

critical↓Feb 2026[13]

Potable Water Distribution System Improvements

$81.9 million allocated for water utility capital projects.

high↓Feb 2026[11]

Township Property Assessments and Appeals

Helps qualifying property taxpayers secure relief on upcoming property tax bills.

high↓Aug 2026[10]

Adoption of 2021 International Model Codes and 2024 Energy Conservation Code

Code updates may alter construction and material costs for local builders and developers.

high↑Oct 2026[10]

Traffic Signal Emergency Preemption Equipment

$498,425 funded through engineering grants

critical↑Oct 2026[10]

Sugar Creek Pump Station Emergency Electrical Upgrades

An expenditure not to exceed $650,000

low↑Oct 2026[10]

Transportation Commission Meeting Cancellation

medium↑Oct 2026[10]

Solar Energy System Height Variance at 2603 Ridge Road

None anticipated for municipal funds.

high↑Oct 2026[10]

BNWRD Drone Docking Station Partnership

Covered under existing police technology allocations

critical↑Oct 2026[10]

Eastland Mall Redevelopment

Involves potential TIF district creation and temporary loan collateral support up to approximately $9 million.

high↑Oct 2026[10]

Firefighter Pension Fund Management and Benefit Approvals

Impacts the overall liability and investment performance of the city's fire pension fund.

high↓Jul 2026[9]

Behavioral Health Funding and Program Oversight

Potential grant funding to be explored for mental health programs.

medium↓Jul 2026[9]

Regulation of Vape Vending Machines

Potential minor revenue from tobacco license issuance if machines are permitted.

Decisions during term (384)

Recorded while Lee was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consent Agenda Approval

approvedOct 26, 2026

Eastland TIF Reimbursement Resolution

approvedOct 26, 2026

Eastland Mall TIF Feasibility Study Agreement

approvedOct 26, 2026

Eastland Mall Temporary Development Support

approvedOct 26, 2026

Downtown TIF Redevelopment Agreement Negotiation (801 N. Main Street)

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action on a Resolution Approving a three-Year Microsoft Enterprise Agreement with CDW Government, LLC, for Microsoft Licensing and Associated Security, Compliance, Data Governance, Maintenance, and Support Services, for a…

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action on a Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA), for Use of Property at 3120 CIRA Dr. for Leaf Transfer Area During City of Bloomington Leaf Collection…

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action on a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Farnsworth Group, Inc., for the City's Water Supply Safe Yield Analysis (RFQ #2025-32), in the Amount of $165,000, as requested by the Water Department.

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action on a Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Illinois State Water Survey, for the City's Water Supply Safe Yield Analysis, in the Amount of $242,975, as requested by the Water Department.

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action for a Resolution Approving a Unit Price Agreement with Compass Minerals America, Inc., for Bulk Rock Salt (Bid#2027-11), and Granting Authority for Purchase in Fiscal Year 2027, as requested by the Public Works…

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action on a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Baxter & Woodman, Inc., for the Design of Phase 6 of the East Street Basin Project, in the Amount of $299,724, as requested by the Engineering Department.

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of A Revised Quit Claim Deed for the Purpose of Clearing Title to Certain Real Property and Conveying Any City of Bloomington Interest in that Property to the…

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action on an Ordinance Amending the Bloomington City Code, Including Chapter 10 - Building Code Relating to the Adoption of the 2021 Editions of the International Code Council Building, Residential, Existing, Fire, Fuel…

approvedOct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action on an Application from Pop Up Hot Chicken Blono, LLC, d/b/a Pop Up Hot Chicken, located at 409 N. Hershey Rd., Requesting Approval of a Class RAS (Restaurant, All Types of Alcohol & Sunday Sales) Liquor License, as…

approved8-0Oct 26, 2026

Approval of Consent Agenda

approved8-0Oct 26, 2026

Approval of Estimated Fiscal Year 2027 Tax Levy

approved8-0Oct 26, 2026

Award of Professional Audit Services RFP

approved8-0Oct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the August 24, 2026, Regular Session Township Meeting.

approved8-0Oct 26, 2026

Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the September 28, 2026, Regular Session Township Meeting.

approvedOct 19, 2026

Consent Agenda Approval

Voting record (138)

134 yes4 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesSep 28, 2026

Trustee Straza made a motion, seconded by Trustee Danenberger, to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.

Voted yesSep 28, 2026

Trustee Ward made a motion, seconded by Trustee Scott, to adjourn the meeting.

Voted yesSep 28, 2026

Approval of Consent Agenda

Voted yesSep 21, 2026

Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hendricks, to adjourn the meeting.

Voted yesSep 21, 2026

Council Member Ward made a motion, seconded by Council Member Straza, to extend the Council Discussion time by 10 minutes.

Voted yesSep 14, 2026

to return to Open Session and adjourn the meeting.

Voted yesSep 14, 2026

to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Voted yesSep 14, 2026

to enter into Executive Session per Section 2(c)(1) of 5 ILCS 120 to discuss personnel.

Voted yesSep 14, 2026

Approval of Consent Agenda

Voted yesSep 14, 2026

Convene Executive Session

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

extend the Council Discussion time by 5 minutes.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

approve the Item as presented.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

postpone and send back Section 404 (driveway surfaces) to the Planning Commission.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

allow Council Member Hendricks to attend remotely due to health reasons.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

approve the Item with the exception of Section 404(d)(3) previously addressed.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

enter into Executive Session per Section 2(c)(1) of 5 ILCS 120 to discuss personnel matters and per Section 2(c)(11) of 5 ILCS 120 to discuss pending litigation.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

return to open session and adjourn the meeting.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

Postponement and Remand of Driveway Surface Code Section 404

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

to approve the Item as presented.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

to approve the Item as presented.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

to adjourn the meeting.

Voted yesAug 24, 2026

Acceptance of Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Financial Report

Voted yesAug 17, 2026

approve the Item as presented

Voted yesAug 17, 2026

approve the Consent Agenda as presented

Voted yesAug 17, 2026

enter into Executive Session per Section 2(c)(1) of 5 ILCS 120 to discuss Personnel and per Section 2(c)(11) of 5 ILCS 120 to discuss Litigation

Voted yesAug 17, 2026

enter into regular session and adjourn the meeting

Voted yesAug 17, 2026

Approval of Consent Agenda

Voted yesAug 17, 2026

Extension of Local Disaster Emergency Declarations (Wind and Flood Events)

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

to approve the Item as presented.

Voted noJul 27, 2026

to approve the Item as presented.

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

to approve the Item as presented.

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

to approve the Item as presented.

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

to adjourn the meeting.

Voted noJul 27, 2026

Resolution No. 2026-01: Advisory Question on Federal Weapons Transfers

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

Resolution No. 2026-02: Advisory Question on Grocery Tax Repeal

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

Resolution No. 2026-03: Advisory Question on Data Center Moratorium

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

to approve the Item as presented.

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

to adjourn the meeting.

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

Approval of Consent Agenda

Voted yesJul 27, 2026

Resolution Approving MOU with Habitat for Humanity for Affordable Housing

Voted yesJul 13, 2026

Consent Agenda (Excluding Item 8.J)

Voted yesJul 13, 2026

Postpone Item 8.J - West Bloomington Quality of Life Road Map Contract

Voted yesJul 13, 2026

Housing Rehabilitation Funding: Budget Amendment and IDHA Agreement Amendment

Voted yesJun 22, 2026

approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.

Voted yesJun 22, 2026

adjourn the meeting.

Voted yesJun 22, 2026

approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.

Voted yesJun 22, 2026

adjourn the meeting.