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Grossinger Motors Arena

How A Coliseum Blind Spot Tripped Up Bloomington City Leaders

By • Oct 4, 2017
ohn Butler, Jay Laesch, Kelly Klein, Bart Rogers, and Paul Grazar in court
David Proeber / The Pantagraph (Pool)

The alleged fraud scheme at the former U.S. Cellular Coliseum took advantage of a known blind spot in the City of Bloomington’s oversight of arena finances, exploiting a decade-long contract that many city leaders disliked from the very beginning, GLT has learned.

Bloomington Looks To Hire VenuWorks To Manage BCPA

By • Oct 3, 2017
The BCPA and its front lawn.
Ralph Weisheit / WGLT

The company that now runs Bloomington’s downtown arena may soon be taking over the city's performing arts venue too.

Joliet Council Blindsided By Hales On Coliseum Investigation

By • Sep 27, 2017
Staff / WGLT

Joliet city council members say their new city manager never told them about a looming financial scandal in Bloomington.

Schmidt Asks Deferral Of Judgment On Coliseum Fault

By & • Sep 26, 2017
Karen Schmidt
Ralph Weisheit / WGLT

Bloomington Mayor Pro Tem Karen Schmidt said Tuesday she thinks it's unfair to speculate whether aldermen bear blame for any factors that might have led to alleged theft of nearly a million dollars by the city's former arena management company.

Coliseum Probe Begs The Question: Why Didn't The City Know?

By • Sep 26, 2017
Cristian Jaramillo / WGLT

It’s typically in bad taste to blame the victim, but the investigation into mismanagement at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum begs the question: Why didn’t the city realize what was going on?

5 Ex-Coliseum Staff Face 100+ Charges in Alleged Scheme

By & • Sep 25, 2017
McLean County Sheriff's Department

The former managers of the now-renamed U.S. Cellular Coliseum are accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the City of Bloomington through an elaborate scheme that skimmed off concession fees, over-billed for cleaning supplies, and disguised other charges.

It's Official: Thunder Hockey Team Becomes Flying Aces

By • Aug 24, 2017
Hockey player on skates
Courtesy / Bloomington Thunder

Bloomington’s hockey team has a new name: the Central Illinois Flying Aces.

Bloomington Thunder Hockey Team May Change Name For Coming Season

By • Aug 15, 2017
Hockey player on skates
Courtesy / Bloomington Thunder

Bloomington’s hockey fans may need to buy some new jerseys this fall.

The Bloomington Thunder is considering changing its name for the new season that begins Oct. 7. An announcement could come as soon as next week, said chief operating officer Brendan Kelly.

One possible name is the Central Illinois Flying Aces. When asked about that name, Kelly declined to say if it was under consideration. However, the domain name ciflyingaces.com was registered in Kelly's name on July 11, records show. A second team official is also listed on the domain registration.

'Rough Transition' Hurts Bottom Line at Grossinger Motors Arena

By & Kate Lorenz • Jul 11, 2017
Hockey player on skates
Courtesy / Bloomington Thunder

The city-owned arena in downtown Bloomington has new managers and a new name. Does it deserve a new chance to win over its critics?

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