Concerns regarding Commercial/Industrial Revolving Loan Fund at Rock Island City Council

Please take note.

At tonight's Rock Island City Council meeting, Alderwoman Linda Barnes raised questions about how the City’s Commercial/ Industrial Revolving Loan Fund (CIRLF) is administered.

CIRLF is one of the only pots of money explicitly intended—by ordinance and federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) rules—to benefit low- and moderate-income people and communities. The fund exists to help those with the least access to capital. This is the same fund that I recently discussed, which was used to put a new roof on the fire station and to upgrade park and library facilities. All great projects, but not keeping with the spirit and intent of money allocated to lift folks out of poverty.

After the meeting, I reviewed the public record.

Here’s what it shows:

• The most recent loan approved — $147,555.06, 10 years at 4% interest — went to Bridges Catering, a downtown business owned by Alderman Bill Healy.
• The vote appears to have been taken by three members, not the five required for a quorum.
• Meeting minutes are sparse, and in some cases, missing, which raises open meetings act compliance issues

Here’s the core issue:

This fund is meant to serve our most disadvantaged communities—yet the most recent loan went to a business owned by an elected official who has supported policies aimed at reducing the population (people in poverty) that entitle Rock Island to qualify for these funds in the first place.

I've taken heat from council members this week for highlighting facts. If the facts I highlight make you uncomfortable, that's on you, not me.

Should I write a full story on this?

Does Rock Island need journalists more deeply covering politics or is highlighting problem areas a further drain on our City's image?