Instead of the usual “Expenditures of Distinction” categories this month, we will focus on recent TIF spending. The City of DeKalb spent another $4700 out of the TIF Fund (.pdf p.52) on the Van Buer parking lot, this time for something called “FIBRCONE,” which brings the past two months’ parking lot embellishments to over $15,000…
The Flood-Prone Property Selection Maps
In response to the interest generated by news of FEMA funds released for additional buyouts of flood-prone homes, here are maps of the properties considered by the Stormwater Task Force. Properties labeled 1.0 or higher are considered to have favorable benefit-cost ratios. The first four properties bought and demolished were 814 W. Taylor and 829,…
Chronicle Hearts City Leaders, Chooses Them Over Us
Our View: Fuss over alderman misplaced “The Comical” earns its nickname today, sadly.
MICA
Tuesday night at the joint City Council–Financial Advisory Committee meeting, staff announced they had researched several providers of liability insurance and had made a decision on a favorite, an outfit called the Municipal Insurance Cooperative Agency (MICA). There were three red flags when the MICA plan was laid out. One was that we were not…
Was That So Hard?
It is quite unsettling that so many at City Hall default to secrecy. When I asked at a meeting where Alderman Wogen is living, Council in effect told me that we aren’t entitled to the information. Now suddenly they are ‘fessing up through the local press. Third Ward Alderman Victor Wogen said Tuesday that he…
Confidential to the Fourth Estate
Nothing to see here. Ball’s in your court.
Rotten to the Core
The following exchange is from the latest issue of The American Conservative Magazine. Chicago is described as central to the criminal activities related in the interview. GIRALDI: So we have a pattern of corruption starting with government officials providing information to foreigners and helping them make contact with other Americans who had valuable information. Some…
The Return of Wogen Watch
The Wogen Watch blog is back in response to Alderman Victor Wogen’s arrest on domestic violence charges and to the question of where he is living. So far, I’ve spoken at a Council meeting about the residency issue, blogged it and sent a letter to the editor. I hope I won’t be the Lone Ranger…
Dude, Where’s My Parrot?
DeKalb Man’s Possible Role in Fugitive Capture
John Kotvan, where ever you are, you should be DeKalb’s hero for the week! Thank you!!