**Updated July 31 at end of post.** Believe it or not, there’s at least one limit to Illinois Home Rule! Here’s a post from the blog of the Illinois Association of Realtors: I was discussing a transaction in the home rule community of West Frankfort. “My client was surprised to learn at closing she had…
Month: July 2012
City Payments to Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins
DeKalb city manager Mark Biernacki entered into a contract agreement last fall with the firm Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, using his ordinance-given spending authority (PDF p. 55). A professional services contract had been entered into by the City Manager, on behalf of the City Council, with the firm Klein, Thorpe, and Jenkins to conduct research…
DeKalb’s TIF District 2
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 2 is described in city budget narratives as running south of the downtown but north of Taylor Street. Annual TIF 2 expenditures generally include: $250-300,000 in economic incentives to Target rehab, repairs and/or improvements to Barb City Manor and the Municipal Building about $150,000 in transfers to the General Fund…
Rochelle Can Do It. Why Can’t We?
Of course I’m talking about the grand opening of the Nippon Sharyo railcar manufacturing plant and the potential birth of a supply chain cluster. And they don’t even have Home Rule! Let’s treat this as an open thread.
A Look at the Central Area TIF Funds
Yesterday there was a lot of news coverage about Chicago’s forecast inability to finish its planned Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects now that property tax revenues are down. Coincidentally, I’ve been peering at DeKalb TIF funds recently, looking for the same kind of trouble. Fund 63 is the DeKalb TIF fund that pays for development…
Winnebago Forest Preserve Power Struggle Continues
In a continuation of this story, Winnebago Forest Preserve District president Randy Olson has created and staffed a public safety job without the approval — and indeed in defiance of — a majority of the board. And, it appears the move might even be legal: Olson’s authorization of the hire is a rare move in…
Corn Fest Financials Through 2010
DeKalb Corn Fest was lucky to have funds in reserve when it moved from the downtown to DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport in 2008. [table id=60 /] Except for the “Lady Antebellum boost” in 2009, revenues have been trending downward. Revenues are no longer itemized on the tax forms, so we don’t know which categories have…
No Task Force, No Public Input Allowed at Council’s Special Meetings on Housing Issues
[Updated with link 5:30 p.m.] The DeKalb City Council is planning three special meetings on housing issues, scheduled as follows: Wednesday, Aug 22 at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 19 at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 10 at 6 p.m. The meetings will not include Safe/Quality Housing Task Force members except as members of the audience who…
Progress at the Airport
I decided to see if DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport has made progress in growing its non-governmental revenues now that it has added fuel sales and new tenants. Below is a table showing the primary revenue category, rentals, along with the newbie, fuel sales. These are not the only non-governmental revenues, but the remainder combined don’t…
Alorton & Open Meetings Act Do-Overs
Back in February I alerted you to the resignation of the mayor of Alorton, because it seemed the investigation and scandal had something to do with Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Turns out it had little if anything to do with TIF and a lot to do with shakedowns at traffic stops. Now Alorton is back…