Although Illinois state law prohibits municipalities from passing BSL, Bloomington is a “home rule” city and therefore does not have to follow the state law.
We are seeing, more frequently, the statement that BSL is necessary because “responsible dog owners are in the minority.” (Particularly, responsible owners of commonly targeted breeds.) There is no scientific data to back up this assertion—to my knowledge there haven’t been any studies done on this at all. It is purely myth and stereotype.
Advocates, please be aware of the generalizations and stereotypes you’re using when talking about dog owners. In some cases, as we see in Bloomington, this stereotype helps officials feel justified in considering or passing BSL.
Contact information for Bloomington, IL officials
citycouncil@cityblm.org
City of Bloomington, 109 E. Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Ph (309) 434-2240
The City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays every month at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers on the 2nd Level. Next council meeting: May 28.
After attack, city to look at rules for dogs
By: Ryan Denham
BLOOMINGTON – Aldermen may revisit tougher rules for dangerous pit bulls and their owners after a recent attack on Bloomington’s west side.
[…] Bernie Uszcienski said it’s time for the city to consider stiffer penalties for vicious dog owners. He said he’s observed more pit bulls – and more of them controlled by irresponsible owners – in his neighborhood and citywide.
“I feel bad for the ones that are certainly responsible owners,” Uszcienski said. “But in my opinion, they are certainly far in the minority.”
Ward 6 Karen Schmidt said she wants to know if the 2006 change has made a difference, and what the impact has been in other communities that have banned pit bulls, such as Denver. (That ban was upheld in court, city officials say.) […]
Full article retrieved 5/16/12 from http://wjbc.com/after-attack-city-to-look-at-rules-for-dogs/
Fred M. Kray
krisdiaz9
Stop BSL 
Gosh, you are so right! I have been saying it for a decade…stop calling “all those other people” “irresponsible”. And please, please stop saying “a well trained ‘”pit bull’ won’t…” It plays right into conclusions like the ones arrived at in Bloomington. Even an untrained “pit bull” is a fairly reliable dog; at least as reliable as any other kind of dog. While we’re on the topic, “any dog can bite” has morphed into “all dogs bite”. The latter is not true at all; the former is actually short for, “any dog can bite, most never do. Ever.” Sorry, pet peeves…