Monday, October 31, 2005
The Wiring of Rep. Pete Pappas
“Do you know that guy Sam Skinner?”
That’s what the Democrat across the aisle asked me one day shortly after our 1973 swearing in.
“No, never met him,” was my answer.
“That’s good, because he’s getting close to some of my friends,” was the reply, as he poked his finger repeatedly into my chest
We ended up getting along well enough, but that exchange made me think it was time to meet Sam Skinner.
So, the next time I was in Chicago, I went into the U.S. Attorney’s Office and asked to see him.
I was ushered in and Sam started to ask me questions about State Rep. Pete Pappas, a Republican from the Quad Cities. He knew I was on the Motor Vehicles Laws Committee and asked about the cement truck bill that had been approved the year before. This is the one that raised the weight limits to 80,000 pounds, a highway busting level.
I told him that I was sworn in until 1973, so knew nothing about it.
Later, U.S. Attorney Jim Thompson indicted Pappas for having accepted bribes. Also indicted were all the members of the Motor Vehicle Laws Commission, except Republican Clarence Neff of Stronghurst, if memory serves me correctly.
And we learned that Pappas was wearing a wire during 1973...presumably while chairing the House Motor Vehicle Laws Committee, on which I served.
Once he was indicted, that light bulb that you used to see in balloons above cartoon characters’ heads blinked brightly.
After our first Motor Vehicle Laws Committee meeting, lobbyists working the committee financed a dinner in the lower level of the Mansion View Inn. (The Mansion View was owned by Paul Powell earlier. What do you want to bet that Secretary of State’s employees were strongly encouraged to stay there while visiting Springfield?)
Rep. Pappas stood up after dinner and explained that the Motor Vehicle Laws Commission, which consisted of five House and five Senate members, “pre-screened” the bills.
“I don’t want to tell you how to vote, but if they are sponsored by the members of the Motor Vehicle Laws Commission, they’re OK to vote for,” Pappas continued.
I raised my hand.
“I’m co-sponsoring a bill with Harold Katz to eliminate the requirement to have a drivers license application notarized,” I said.
His reply was exactly what he had said just before: “I don’t want to tell you how to vote, but if they are sponsored by the members of the Motor Vehicle Laws Commission, they’re OK to vote for.”
In 1973, I sponsored a lot of bills (passing more than any other freshman) and the Motor Vehicle Laws Committee met while I had to present bills to other committees.
One day, I walked into the committee room during a roll call. I asked my 33rd District Democratic colleague Tom Hanahan what was being voted upon and he told me it was Katz’ notarization bill.
I voted in favor.
The bill passed by one vote.
If looks could kill, I would be dead from the stare I got from Chairman Pappas.
My guess is that he was not yet wired at the time the vote was taken.
That’s what the Democrat across the aisle asked me one day shortly after our 1973 swearing in.
“No, never met him,” was my answer.
“That’s good, because he’s getting close to some of my friends,” was the reply, as he poked his finger repeatedly into my chest
We ended up getting along well enough, but that exchange made me think it was time to meet Sam Skinner.
So, the next time I was in Chicago, I went into the U.S. Attorney’s Office and asked to see him.
I was ushered in and Sam started to ask me questions about State Rep. Pete Pappas, a Republican from the Quad Cities. He knew I was on the Motor Vehicles Laws Committee and asked about the cement truck bill that had been approved the year before. This is the one that raised the weight limits to 80,000 pounds, a highway busting level.
I told him that I was sworn in until 1973, so knew nothing about it.
Later, U.S. Attorney Jim Thompson indicted Pappas for having accepted bribes. Also indicted were all the members of the Motor Vehicle Laws Commission, except Republican Clarence Neff of Stronghurst, if memory serves me correctly.
And we learned that Pappas was wearing a wire during 1973...presumably while chairing the House Motor Vehicle Laws Committee, on which I served.
Once he was indicted, that light bulb that you used to see in balloons above cartoon characters’ heads blinked brightly.
After our first Motor Vehicle Laws Committee meeting, lobbyists working the committee financed a dinner in the lower level of the Mansion View Inn. (The Mansion View was owned by Paul Powell earlier. What do you want to bet that Secretary of State’s employees were strongly encouraged to stay there while visiting Springfield?)
Rep. Pappas stood up after dinner and explained that the Motor Vehicle Laws Commission, which consisted of five House and five Senate members, “pre-screened” the bills.
“I don’t want to tell you how to vote, but if they are sponsored by the members of the Motor Vehicle Laws Commission, they’re OK to vote for,” Pappas continued.
I raised my hand.
“I’m co-sponsoring a bill with Harold Katz to eliminate the requirement to have a drivers license application notarized,” I said.
His reply was exactly what he had said just before: “I don’t want to tell you how to vote, but if they are sponsored by the members of the Motor Vehicle Laws Commission, they’re OK to vote for.”
In 1973, I sponsored a lot of bills (passing more than any other freshman) and the Motor Vehicle Laws Committee met while I had to present bills to other committees.
One day, I walked into the committee room during a roll call. I asked my 33rd District Democratic colleague Tom Hanahan what was being voted upon and he told me it was Katz’ notarization bill.
I voted in favor.
The bill passed by one vote.
If looks could kill, I would be dead from the stare I got from Chairman Pappas.
My guess is that he was not yet wired at the time the vote was taken.
Labels: Harold Katz, House Motor Vehicle Laws Committee, Illinoiis Secretarty of State, Jim Thompson, Mansion View Inn, Pete Pappas, Sam Skinner, Tollway, Tom Hanahan
City of Crystal Lake Has No Access to Vulcan Lakes
Wouldn't you have thought that the City Council would have made certain that its employees could drive a vehicle into the Vulcan Lakes property when it cut the deal with Vulcan Materials?
Did you assume that the road between the Harris Bank and Crystal Lake Tire and Battery would be the way in and out of the property?
Not so.
Crystal Lake does not own the road.
At the entrance, it owns less that half of the road.
At the back of the lot, the city owns only a tiny part.
And, guess what?
A man has contracted to purchase that part of the road, plus the rest of the lot, from Vulcan Materials. So, the city will have to pay his price to get into the Vulcan Lakes property...or condemn the property.
Did you assume that the road between the Harris Bank and Crystal Lake Tire and Battery would be the way in and out of the property?
Not so.
Crystal Lake does not own the road.
At the entrance, it owns less that half of the road.
At the back of the lot, the city owns only a tiny part.
And, guess what?
A man has contracted to purchase that part of the road, plus the rest of the lot, from Vulcan Materials. So, the city will have to pay his price to get into the Vulcan Lakes property...or condemn the property.
Route 14 Crystal Lake TIF Business Owners Not Happy
And, they shouldn’t be.
Business owners in the Main Street project seem to have been assured that the condemnation powers authorized by the Tax Increment Financing law will not be used on them.
When questioned about use of condemnation in the Main Street TIF at last Friday’s Joint Review Board meeting, Teska Associates President Lee Brown said that it was “never a part of our plan to use condemnation.”
Michelle Rentzsch, Planning & Economic Development Director, added that the city envisioned “assisting property owners to improve their properties in their own time.”
Indeed, Rentzsch seemed to know each of the property owners in the Main Street TIF district. She referred to their names at several points in the hearing.
Letters, on the other hand, were the method of contacting at least three property owners in the Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF district. To put it mildly, that is not a “high touch” approach.
Perhaps it would have been uncomfortable for a city employee to talk to the business owners in person, since the goal of the Mayor and City Council seems to be demolition of all businesses now existing within the proposed TIF districts.
Some of them will be testifying at Tuesday night’s 7:30 TIF hearing at city hall.
Business owners in the Main Street project seem to have been assured that the condemnation powers authorized by the Tax Increment Financing law will not be used on them.
When questioned about use of condemnation in the Main Street TIF at last Friday’s Joint Review Board meeting, Teska Associates President Lee Brown said that it was “never a part of our plan to use condemnation.”
Michelle Rentzsch, Planning & Economic Development Director, added that the city envisioned “assisting property owners to improve their properties in their own time.”
Indeed, Rentzsch seemed to know each of the property owners in the Main Street TIF district. She referred to their names at several points in the hearing.
Letters, on the other hand, were the method of contacting at least three property owners in the Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF district. To put it mildly, that is not a “high touch” approach.
Perhaps it would have been uncomfortable for a city employee to talk to the business owners in person, since the goal of the Mayor and City Council seems to be demolition of all businesses now existing within the proposed TIF districts.
Some of them will be testifying at Tuesday night’s 7:30 TIF hearing at city hall.
Being “Wired” by the Feds in the Days of Governor Dan Walker
Today’s Chicago Sun-Times has an article about one of Governor Rod Blagojevich’s employees having been “wired” by Federal investigators.
That’s never happened to me, but it happened twice that I know of during Governor Dan Walker’s term in the 1970’s.
I often took the train to Springfield then. One trip an engineer of Indian ancestry recognized me and we started talking. It seems that he was the engineer that laid out the roads in Silver Lakes, a subdivision near Cary. Actually, the public hearing Dad and I attended on the project was probably my first political meeting in McHenry County. I was still in college.
The engineer had just been let go by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Walker Adminstration had decided to outsource the planning of the road project that he had been working on. He was still working on the same project. He was just working for a private engineering firm now, as I remember it.
One might speculate that the engineering firm had contributed to Walker’s re-election campaign in order to get the work.
In any event, the engineer told how Walker’s main political guy had tried to shake him down for $1,000 in order to get his job back at IDOT.
When we got off the train, we walked over to the Springfield FBI office, he told his story and agreed to wear a wire in subsequent conversations with Walker’s advisor.
I talked with the engineer later on and, although he tried to talk or talked to the Walker guy 10-12 times, he never got anything incriminating on tape.
There is little doubt that IDOT was being used to raise campaign funds.
The Legislative Audit Commission even had a proposal from Auditor General Bob Cronson to look at the “Artistic and Profession Services” expenditures by IDOT. I looked at the resolution and observed that he was looking at the wrong things. I suggested looking at the relationship between campaign contributions and the issuance of the non-bid contracts. The Democrats on the LAC were not protective of Walker and went along. The finding was that there was a relationship.
The day the report was issued I called the U.S. Attorney and suggested that he take a look at the working papers. The FBI got them that very day, but never followed up...at least with me. Too bad they didn’t call. I could have pointed them in some useful directions, including a holdover guy who worked at IDOT.
That’s never happened to me, but it happened twice that I know of during Governor Dan Walker’s term in the 1970’s.
I often took the train to Springfield then. One trip an engineer of Indian ancestry recognized me and we started talking. It seems that he was the engineer that laid out the roads in Silver Lakes, a subdivision near Cary. Actually, the public hearing Dad and I attended on the project was probably my first political meeting in McHenry County. I was still in college.
The engineer had just been let go by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Walker Adminstration had decided to outsource the planning of the road project that he had been working on. He was still working on the same project. He was just working for a private engineering firm now, as I remember it.
One might speculate that the engineering firm had contributed to Walker’s re-election campaign in order to get the work.
In any event, the engineer told how Walker’s main political guy had tried to shake him down for $1,000 in order to get his job back at IDOT.
When we got off the train, we walked over to the Springfield FBI office, he told his story and agreed to wear a wire in subsequent conversations with Walker’s advisor.
I talked with the engineer later on and, although he tried to talk or talked to the Walker guy 10-12 times, he never got anything incriminating on tape.
There is little doubt that IDOT was being used to raise campaign funds.
The Legislative Audit Commission even had a proposal from Auditor General Bob Cronson to look at the “Artistic and Profession Services” expenditures by IDOT. I looked at the resolution and observed that he was looking at the wrong things. I suggested looking at the relationship between campaign contributions and the issuance of the non-bid contracts. The Democrats on the LAC were not protective of Walker and went along. The finding was that there was a relationship.
The day the report was issued I called the U.S. Attorney and suggested that he take a look at the working papers. The FBI got them that very day, but never followed up...at least with me. Too bad they didn’t call. I could have pointed them in some useful directions, including a holdover guy who worked at IDOT.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Special Service Area Assessments Not Even Considered for Financing Crystal Lake TIF District Area Improvements
The City of Crystal Lake has not even considered imposing special property taxes on the businesses who are supposed to benefit most by the two Tax Increment Financing Districts it has proposed.
Instead of taxing those businesses that will benefit from the TIF districts, the city proposes taxing everyone else in McHenry County. A hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers at 7:30, Tuesday, Nov. 1st. Anyone in McHenry County may testify.
At Friday’s Tax Increment Financing Joint Review Board meeting, the outside consultant Les Brown, President of Teska and Associates, was asked if a study had been performed to see if Special Service Area Assessments could have financed the improvements sought at Vulcan Lakes and along Main Street.
The answer was, “No.”
The 1970 state constitution specifically allowed for Special Service Area Assessments.
What are they?
Think of them as a mini-special tax districts.
When a specific benefit is needed for an area, the city council can enact a special tax for those who will benefit from the improvement.
In explaining the Vulcan Lakes project on Route 14, Brown described the envisioned development will contain commercial, recreational, and residential elements “that would have a water access benefit.” Such redevelopment would be “reoriented to the lakes” from the current orientation to Route 14.
Michelle Rentzch, Planning and Economic Development Director for Crystal Lake, added that “high-end retail” was expected. In addition, half-million two-bedroom condos are proposed.
From this description, it would seem that a Special Service Area Assessment would be a perfect compromise. Those most benefiting from the improvements would be able to pay for it. Those least benefiting from the redevelopment, homeowners and businesses outside of the TIF district would pay nothing.
But, Rentzsch downgraded the idea.
“The majority of the property owners might not agree,” Michelle Rentzsch, Planning and Economic Development Director, commented. “Nor maybe does it make sense,” she continued. (In an SSA, the majority of the property owners within the area must approve of the addition property tax.)
“Then, maybe it shouldn’t be done,” Cal Skinner replied.
Likewise, the Main Street proposal’s benefits would accrue to the property owners in the proposed TIF district.
There is nothing like specific the entertainment district that the City talks about creating on Route 14. All the public can expect to see soon is a “streetscape” similar to that in Downtown Crystal Lake.
Here's where the rest of the story was originally posted.
Instead of taxing those businesses that will benefit from the TIF districts, the city proposes taxing everyone else in McHenry County. A hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers at 7:30, Tuesday, Nov. 1st. Anyone in McHenry County may testify.
At Friday’s Tax Increment Financing Joint Review Board meeting, the outside consultant Les Brown, President of Teska and Associates, was asked if a study had been performed to see if Special Service Area Assessments could have financed the improvements sought at Vulcan Lakes and along Main Street.
The answer was, “No.”
The 1970 state constitution specifically allowed for Special Service Area Assessments.
What are they?
Think of them as a mini-special tax districts.
When a specific benefit is needed for an area, the city council can enact a special tax for those who will benefit from the improvement.
In explaining the Vulcan Lakes project on Route 14, Brown described the envisioned development will contain commercial, recreational, and residential elements “that would have a water access benefit.” Such redevelopment would be “reoriented to the lakes” from the current orientation to Route 14.
Michelle Rentzch, Planning and Economic Development Director for Crystal Lake, added that “high-end retail” was expected. In addition, half-million two-bedroom condos are proposed.
From this description, it would seem that a Special Service Area Assessment would be a perfect compromise. Those most benefiting from the improvements would be able to pay for it. Those least benefiting from the redevelopment, homeowners and businesses outside of the TIF district would pay nothing.
But, Rentzsch downgraded the idea.
“The majority of the property owners might not agree,” Michelle Rentzsch, Planning and Economic Development Director, commented. “Nor maybe does it make sense,” she continued. (In an SSA, the majority of the property owners within the area must approve of the addition property tax.)
“Then, maybe it shouldn’t be done,” Cal Skinner replied.
Likewise, the Main Street proposal’s benefits would accrue to the property owners in the proposed TIF district.
There is nothing like specific the entertainment district that the City talks about creating on Route 14. All the public can expect to see soon is a “streetscape” similar to that in Downtown Crystal Lake.
Here's where the rest of the story was originally posted.
Labels: 1970 Illinois Constitution, Cal Skinner, Crystal Lake, Les Brown, Main Street TIF, Michelle Rentzsch, Special Area Assessment, SSA, Streetscape, Teska and Associates, TIF, Vulcan Lakes
Another Way to Finance Vulcan Lakes Improvements: Let the McHenry County Conservation District Do It
There is one clear method through which improvements to Vulcan Lakes could be financed.
The City Council could just ask the McHenry County Conservation District to take over the property.
It could be rented out on a long-term lease, with whatever development and use goals the City would want to write into the contract.
The MCCD has cost Crystal Lake area taxpayers dearly since its inception. Millions of dollars have been taken out of the pockets of local taxpayers, but precious little has been spent in the area.
That’s because the Crystal Lake Park District is the grand-daddy of McHenry County Park Districts and has provided ample park land for the public to enjoy. As a result, the MCCD has bought land elsewhere…far away from the population center of McHenry County.
Thousands of acres have been purchased in other parts of McHenry County, but precious few in the Crystal Lake area.
Crystal Lake’s most prominent MCCD element is probably the bike trail along Main Street. Recently a couple hundred acres has been bought west of West School, but is not open for public use. There is a large facility with a Crystal Lake address way east off of Route 176 near Burton’s Bridge and the Lake-in-the-Hills Fen, but nothing really big in or with direct access to Crystal Lake.
Improving and administering the Vulcan Lakes property would allow the Conservation District to repay a small part of the millions that have been taken from local wallets.
But, the Crystal Lake City Council would then have to allow residents from throughout McHenry County to use the lakes.
And, sharing this resource that has cost so many of us to lose car windows and dinged paint from stones thrown from gravel trucks and extra travel time on Route 14 because of the abandonment of Three Oaks Road is not part of the plan.
The City Council could just ask the McHenry County Conservation District to take over the property.
It could be rented out on a long-term lease, with whatever development and use goals the City would want to write into the contract.
The MCCD has cost Crystal Lake area taxpayers dearly since its inception. Millions of dollars have been taken out of the pockets of local taxpayers, but precious little has been spent in the area.
That’s because the Crystal Lake Park District is the grand-daddy of McHenry County Park Districts and has provided ample park land for the public to enjoy. As a result, the MCCD has bought land elsewhere…far away from the population center of McHenry County.
Thousands of acres have been purchased in other parts of McHenry County, but precious few in the Crystal Lake area.
Crystal Lake’s most prominent MCCD element is probably the bike trail along Main Street. Recently a couple hundred acres has been bought west of West School, but is not open for public use. There is a large facility with a Crystal Lake address way east off of Route 176 near Burton’s Bridge and the Lake-in-the-Hills Fen, but nothing really big in or with direct access to Crystal Lake.
Improving and administering the Vulcan Lakes property would allow the Conservation District to repay a small part of the millions that have been taken from local wallets.
But, the Crystal Lake City Council would then have to allow residents from throughout McHenry County to use the lakes.
And, sharing this resource that has cost so many of us to lose car windows and dinged paint from stones thrown from gravel trucks and extra travel time on Route 14 because of the abandonment of Three Oaks Road is not part of the plan.
Labels: Crystal Lake, MCCD, McHenry County Conservation District, Tax Increment Financing District, TIF, Vulcan Lakes
Vulcan Lakes: Regional Impact, McHenry County Financing, BUT Use To Be Limited to Crystal Lake City Residents
When the City of Crystal Lake traded the gravel under Three Oaks Road to Vulcan Material Company for the resulting lakes when gravel mining was completed, everyone using Route 14 was affected.
The day after Three Oaks Road was closed, traffic on Route 14 increased 10%.
Now, Mayor Aaron Shepley and the Crystal Lake City Council are asked taxpayers throughout McHenry County to help pay for improvements to the Vulcan Lakes property, but not proposing to allow anyone but Crystal Lake residents to use the lakes.
The plan is to sink tens of millions of dollars into providing a marina for sail and fishing boats, canoes, and rowboats, plus beaches for swimming, but non-Crystal Lakers need not apply. And, by “Crystal Lakers,” the council means those living within the city limits, not those who pay taxes to Crystal Lake…as everyone does when he or she shops in the city.
The financing will be provided by a Tax Increment Financing District. Under a TIF, the assessed valuation is frozen. Any increase in assessed value, including inflationary increases all property get each year by way of the township multiplier, will still be taxed, but all the proceeds will go to the City of Crystal Lake to be spent “improving” the TIF district.
One might observe that this is a classic situation of “Taxation without Representation.” Non-Crystal Lakers have no voice beyond the public participation period in Tuesday night’s TIF hearing (7:30 at the Crystal Lake City Council Chambers).
A vote of the Crystal Lake City Council can basically force other tax districts which tax the property in the TIF districts to raise their tax rates on everyone else in order to obtain the same tax collections they would have received without the loss of up to an average of $6.1 million a year. And this will go on for 23 years.
The day after Three Oaks Road was closed, traffic on Route 14 increased 10%.
Now, Mayor Aaron Shepley and the Crystal Lake City Council are asked taxpayers throughout McHenry County to help pay for improvements to the Vulcan Lakes property, but not proposing to allow anyone but Crystal Lake residents to use the lakes.
The plan is to sink tens of millions of dollars into providing a marina for sail and fishing boats, canoes, and rowboats, plus beaches for swimming, but non-Crystal Lakers need not apply. And, by “Crystal Lakers,” the council means those living within the city limits, not those who pay taxes to Crystal Lake…as everyone does when he or she shops in the city.
The financing will be provided by a Tax Increment Financing District. Under a TIF, the assessed valuation is frozen. Any increase in assessed value, including inflationary increases all property get each year by way of the township multiplier, will still be taxed, but all the proceeds will go to the City of Crystal Lake to be spent “improving” the TIF district.
One might observe that this is a classic situation of “Taxation without Representation.” Non-Crystal Lakers have no voice beyond the public participation period in Tuesday night’s TIF hearing (7:30 at the Crystal Lake City Council Chambers).
A vote of the Crystal Lake City Council can basically force other tax districts which tax the property in the TIF districts to raise their tax rates on everyone else in order to obtain the same tax collections they would have received without the loss of up to an average of $6.1 million a year. And this will go on for 23 years.
Labels: Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Route 14, Tax Increment Financing District, Taxation without Representation, TIF, Vulcan Lakes
McHenry County Governments Missing in Action on Pending Crystal Lake TIF Tax Hikes
The City of Crystal Lake must notify all of the tax districts who will be affected when it proposes a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.
When the city did so, only three decided it was worth their time to take a look at the proposed Vulcan Lakes/Route 13 and the Main Street TIFs. The three were School Districts 47 and 155, plus the Crystal Lake Park District.
All three have taken the tack that they should protect their taxpaying public, even though none would actually lose any money under the TIFs.
The reason no tax district needs to lose money is that they are all beneath their tax rate limits. When they lose up to $100 million per year in assessed valuation of the 23-year duration of the TIF, they can just raise their tax rates.
This is a direct result of the operation of the property tax cap for over ten years. The tax cap limits non-Home Rule tax districts to an increase in their “tax takes” of whatever the Consumer Price Index increases. Since real estate values in McHenry County regularly exceed the CPI, the tax cap forces districts to have lower tax rates.
Missing in action are at least the following tax districts who will have to shift future taxes from the businesses in the proposed TIF districts to the rest of the area’s homeowners and businesses:
McHenry County
McHenry County College
McHenry County Conservation District
McHenry County Mental Health Board
Algonquin Township
Nunda Township
The McHenry County Board Chairman and the Algonquin Township Supervisor were contacted concerning opposing the TIF districts, but neither responded.
Had any one of them been willing to attend Friday's Joint Review Committee meeting on whether the TIFs should be recommended to be approved or not and voted in the negative with High School District 155, both of the TIFs would now have to achieve 5 of the 7 council votes. Lacking their participation or direction on the Main Street TIF by the Crystal Lake Park Board and Grade School District 47, it will can be imposed on taxpayers throughout McHenry County with only the bare majority of 4 council votes.
When the city did so, only three decided it was worth their time to take a look at the proposed Vulcan Lakes/Route 13 and the Main Street TIFs. The three were School Districts 47 and 155, plus the Crystal Lake Park District.
All three have taken the tack that they should protect their taxpaying public, even though none would actually lose any money under the TIFs.
The reason no tax district needs to lose money is that they are all beneath their tax rate limits. When they lose up to $100 million per year in assessed valuation of the 23-year duration of the TIF, they can just raise their tax rates.
This is a direct result of the operation of the property tax cap for over ten years. The tax cap limits non-Home Rule tax districts to an increase in their “tax takes” of whatever the Consumer Price Index increases. Since real estate values in McHenry County regularly exceed the CPI, the tax cap forces districts to have lower tax rates.
Missing in action are at least the following tax districts who will have to shift future taxes from the businesses in the proposed TIF districts to the rest of the area’s homeowners and businesses:
McHenry County
McHenry County College
McHenry County Conservation District
McHenry County Mental Health Board
Algonquin Township
Nunda Township
The McHenry County Board Chairman and the Algonquin Township Supervisor were contacted concerning opposing the TIF districts, but neither responded.
Had any one of them been willing to attend Friday's Joint Review Committee meeting on whether the TIFs should be recommended to be approved or not and voted in the negative with High School District 155, both of the TIFs would now have to achieve 5 of the 7 council votes. Lacking their participation or direction on the Main Street TIF by the Crystal Lake Park Board and Grade School District 47, it will can be imposed on taxpayers throughout McHenry County with only the bare majority of 4 council votes.
Crystal Lake Libertarian Jim Young Hits Bricks Again Fighting TIF Tax Hikes
Crystal Lake neighborhoods who received the leaflet entitled, “Mayor Shepley/City Council Plan Tax Hike,” can thank Crystal Lake Libertarian Party member Jim Young.
Young, who does not believe that tax dollars should be spent to subsidize developers got back into door-to-door mode when he learned of the city’s plan to force homeowners and businesses throughout McHenry County to subsidize the recreational development commonly called the Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF. The text of the piece he distributed can be seen in an earlier post.
Young filed for state representative in 2000 as a Libertarian, but was knocked off the ballot, some think, by House Republican staffers working on state time. In 2002, he filed again, this time having too many signatures to allow a successful challenge. He garnered 7% of the total vote, allowing him to be on the ballot again in 2004. That year, his percentage fell below 5%.
He has been known to knock on as many as 10,000 doors in a campaign.
Young, who does not believe that tax dollars should be spent to subsidize developers got back into door-to-door mode when he learned of the city’s plan to force homeowners and businesses throughout McHenry County to subsidize the recreational development commonly called the Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF. The text of the piece he distributed can be seen in an earlier post.
Young filed for state representative in 2000 as a Libertarian, but was knocked off the ballot, some think, by House Republican staffers working on state time. In 2002, he filed again, this time having too many signatures to allow a successful challenge. He garnered 7% of the total vote, allowing him to be on the ballot again in 2004. That year, his percentage fell below 5%.
He has been known to knock on as many as 10,000 doors in a campaign.
WMAQ-TV’s Dick Kay Agrees on All Kids’ Coverage for Children Illegally in the Country
Blogger Jim Bowman’s Chicago Newspapers ran my comment concerning the ignored aspect of Governor Rod Blagojevich’s All Kids program, specifically,
Jim has more about how the Governor will use All Kids in his re-election campaign.
Chicago Newspapers is the only place I have found that critiques Chicagoland media.
The only Chicago mention (or elsewhere, for that matter) that [Gov. Blagojevich’s] AllKids [health insurance program] includes for the first time those children in the US illegally was by Dick Kay on a WTTW show. Don't you think that ought to be at least part of the debate?Dick Kays’ reply:
He has it exactly right! They will not apply under Kids Care because that is a federally funded program. All Kids is state-only and will cover illegal immigrants so long as they can pay the monthly premium and the co-pay. For that matter it would cover children of billionaires so long as they could pay the much higher premiums that would require. Our sister station, Telemundo, has done a couple of stories on the program.Guess you have to understand Spanish to get the news in Chicagoland.
Jim has more about how the Governor will use All Kids in his re-election campaign.
Chicago Newspapers is the only place I have found that critiques Chicagoland media.
Labels: All Kids, Dick Kay, illegal aliens, Illegal Immigrants, Jim Bowman, Kids Care, WTTW
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Crystal Lake TIF-Fighting Flyer: Mayor Shepley/Council Plan Tax Hike
As much as $6 million a year tax shift from businesses in two proposed Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFs) to us homeowners and other businesses has been proposed by the Mayor and City Council.
Over 23 years, something in the neighborhood of $138 million that otherwise would help our schools, park and other tax districts will be available to subsidize developers along Rt. 14 and Main St. TIF districts were first passed to help blighted areas. Anyone see any blight on Main St. or Rt. 14? Multi-million sales have been reported for both this year.
The way a TIF works is that the assessed valuation is frozen when the council votes (scheduled Nov.15th ). Real estate taxes are still collected, but they do not go to our schools, MCC, park and other local governments. Taxes on any increase in value will be spent as the city council sees fit in the TIF districts.
Because our schools, etc., won’t be able to tax as much as $100 million of assessed valuation for 23 years, they will raise the tax rates for the rest of us. We will pay more so the schools, etc., can replace the lost taxes the city will be spending to help the developers on Rt. 14 and Main St.
In what can only be called an amazing coincidence, the Northwest Herald reported Conlon-Collins sold it property for over $7 million (right after the TIF proposals were made public.) The property is only assessed for $725,000 now, instead of about three times that high. Hines Lumber sold for millions, too, this summer.
In the Main Street TIF, another financing method is available—one that does not cost homeowners one cent. It’s called a Special Area Assessment. It is meant to pay for improvements that will benefit special property owners. CL uses them to allow developers to charge new homeowners for streets, sewers, etc. State Motor Fuel Tax given the city is another way to pay for road improvements.
The Rt. 14 TIF seems to primarily to pay for Vulcan Lakes improvements, some of which could have been obtained from Vulcan before it stopped mining. A boardwalk along the lakes is apparently planned with waterfront dining, maybe a hotel and other waterfront businesses. The city also talks about selling part of the land along Pingree Road for $500,000 2-bedroom lakefront condos. Again, a Special Service Area assessment would seem appropriate. Another alternative that would not raise our tax rates would be to convince the McHenry County Conservation District to finally spend some of the millions it has collected in Crystal Lake. Either alternative would not force our tax rates up.
This tax hike on us can be approved by the city council as soon as Nov. 15th. If you don’t want your tax rate to go up because of these two TIFs, call Mayor Shepley at 477-4761 and Council Members Ellen Brady Mueller at 477-4502, Howie Christensen at 459-1153, Ralph Dawson at 459-1505, Cathy Ferguson at 477-7254, Dave Goss at 455-3365, and Jeff Thorsen at 455-5695. Send emails to comments@CrystalLake.org. Just put the person’s name in the title line.
Attend the Nov. 1st hearing at City Hall at 7:30 and the Nov.15th council approval meeting to voice your opinion.
For more information, see McHenryCountyBlog.com. For leaflets, call 459-3506.
Over 23 years, something in the neighborhood of $138 million that otherwise would help our schools, park and other tax districts will be available to subsidize developers along Rt. 14 and Main St. TIF districts were first passed to help blighted areas. Anyone see any blight on Main St. or Rt. 14? Multi-million sales have been reported for both this year.
The way a TIF works is that the assessed valuation is frozen when the council votes (scheduled Nov.15th ). Real estate taxes are still collected, but they do not go to our schools, MCC, park and other local governments. Taxes on any increase in value will be spent as the city council sees fit in the TIF districts.
Because our schools, etc., won’t be able to tax as much as $100 million of assessed valuation for 23 years, they will raise the tax rates for the rest of us. We will pay more so the schools, etc., can replace the lost taxes the city will be spending to help the developers on Rt. 14 and Main St.
In what can only be called an amazing coincidence, the Northwest Herald reported Conlon-Collins sold it property for over $7 million (right after the TIF proposals were made public.) The property is only assessed for $725,000 now, instead of about three times that high. Hines Lumber sold for millions, too, this summer.
In the Main Street TIF, another financing method is available—one that does not cost homeowners one cent. It’s called a Special Area Assessment. It is meant to pay for improvements that will benefit special property owners. CL uses them to allow developers to charge new homeowners for streets, sewers, etc. State Motor Fuel Tax given the city is another way to pay for road improvements.
The Rt. 14 TIF seems to primarily to pay for Vulcan Lakes improvements, some of which could have been obtained from Vulcan before it stopped mining. A boardwalk along the lakes is apparently planned with waterfront dining, maybe a hotel and other waterfront businesses. The city also talks about selling part of the land along Pingree Road for $500,000 2-bedroom lakefront condos. Again, a Special Service Area assessment would seem appropriate. Another alternative that would not raise our tax rates would be to convince the McHenry County Conservation District to finally spend some of the millions it has collected in Crystal Lake. Either alternative would not force our tax rates up.
This tax hike on us can be approved by the city council as soon as Nov. 15th. If you don’t want your tax rate to go up because of these two TIFs, call Mayor Shepley at 477-4761 and Council Members Ellen Brady Mueller at 477-4502, Howie Christensen at 459-1153, Ralph Dawson at 459-1505, Cathy Ferguson at 477-7254, Dave Goss at 455-3365, and Jeff Thorsen at 455-5695. Send emails to comments@CrystalLake.org. Just put the person’s name in the title line.
Attend the Nov. 1st hearing at City Hall at 7:30 and the Nov.15th council approval meeting to voice your opinion.
For more information, see McHenryCountyBlog.com. For leaflets, call 459-3506.
Labels: Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Main Street TIF, Route 14, Special Area Assessment, Tax Increment Financing District, TIF, Vulcan Lakes
Crystal Lake TIF-Fighting Flyer: Developers Win, You Lose
The Crystal Lake City Council is planning to divert money from our school, park & college districts to benefit developers along Route 14 and on Main St. in Crystal Lake.
A TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District freezes the property tax revenue the school, park and other local governments get and takes taxes from inflationary growth and new construction for other purposes. It takes from Peter to pay Paul. You will be “Peter;” Mayor Aaron Shepley and the city council decide who “Paul” is.
Districts 47 & 155 will lose MILLIONS OF DOLLARS over a 23-year period. Schools (and other local governments) will make up for the loss of up to $138 million in tax dollars by raising our real estate tax bills. Any extra money paid by the businesses in the TIF districts won’t go to the schools or parks or MCC. It will be spent in the TIF districts.
The biggest TIF district might be voted on as early as mid-Nov…unless you tell Mayor Shepley and the city council you don’t want them to approve it.
Call Mayor Shepley at 477-4761 and council members Ellen Brady Mueller at 477-4502, Howie Christensen at 459-1153, Ralph Dawson at 459-5983, Cathy Ferguson at 477-7254, Dave Goss at 455-3365, and Jeff Thorsen at 455-5695. General emails may also be sent to comments@CrystalLake.org. Just put whom it’s for in the title line.
Come to city hall at 7:30 for the Nov. 1st TIF hearing. Come Nov. 15th for the vote. Voice your opinion.
For more info, see McHenryCountyBlog.com. For leaflets call 459-3506.
A TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District freezes the property tax revenue the school, park and other local governments get and takes taxes from inflationary growth and new construction for other purposes. It takes from Peter to pay Paul. You will be “Peter;” Mayor Aaron Shepley and the city council decide who “Paul” is.
Districts 47 & 155 will lose MILLIONS OF DOLLARS over a 23-year period. Schools (and other local governments) will make up for the loss of up to $138 million in tax dollars by raising our real estate tax bills. Any extra money paid by the businesses in the TIF districts won’t go to the schools or parks or MCC. It will be spent in the TIF districts.
The biggest TIF district might be voted on as early as mid-Nov…unless you tell Mayor Shepley and the city council you don’t want them to approve it.
Call Mayor Shepley at 477-4761 and council members Ellen Brady Mueller at 477-4502, Howie Christensen at 459-1153, Ralph Dawson at 459-5983, Cathy Ferguson at 477-7254, Dave Goss at 455-3365, and Jeff Thorsen at 455-5695. General emails may also be sent to comments@CrystalLake.org. Just put whom it’s for in the title line.
Come to city hall at 7:30 for the Nov. 1st TIF hearing. Come Nov. 15th for the vote. Voice your opinion.
For more info, see McHenryCountyBlog.com. For leaflets call 459-3506.
Labels: Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake High School District 155, District 47, Tax Increment Financing District, TIF
Friday, October 28, 2005
Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF Project to Require 3/5 Majority Vote on Crystal Lake City Council
A mid-day Friday city hall meeting of the tax districts affected by the two Tax Increment Financing districts proposed by the City of Crystal Lake resulting in requiring one of the proposals to receive a 3/5 majority.
District representatives voted to reject the Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF district by a 2-1 one, with one abstention.
The city’s representative was the only favorable vote. Grade School District 47 and High School District 155 voted to reject the recreation-related TIF. The Crystal Lake Park District representative abstained, lacking guidance from his board.
Although a motion was made by High School District 155 to reject the Main Street TIF as well, the vote there was 1-1-2, with both the Grade School District and the Park District abstaining.
The Grade School District’s abstention resulted from arguments made by Grade School Board member Dave Hubbard. What he said at the last board meeting resulted in no duplication of the motion made to oppose the Vulcan Lakes TIF District. Without a mandate, Superintendent Ron Miller did not vote on District 155’s attempt to make it more difficult for the city council to pass the second TIF district.
Enacting both TIF districts would freeze the assessed valuation for properties they contain for 23 years as far as all tax districts but the City of Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake would obtain use of an estimated $138 million to use for so-called public improvements within the boundaries of the two TIF districts. Taxes on homeowners and businesses not in the TIF districts would increase an average of $6.1 million a year, assuming that the hoped for increased assessed valuation would occur without the TIF subsidy to developers.
School district representatives pointed out that recent or reported multi-million sales of Conlon-Collins and the old Hines Lumber property at the corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and Main Street was good indication that economic activity did not need a taxpayer subsidy.
District representatives voted to reject the Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF district by a 2-1 one, with one abstention.
The city’s representative was the only favorable vote. Grade School District 47 and High School District 155 voted to reject the recreation-related TIF. The Crystal Lake Park District representative abstained, lacking guidance from his board.
Although a motion was made by High School District 155 to reject the Main Street TIF as well, the vote there was 1-1-2, with both the Grade School District and the Park District abstaining.
The Grade School District’s abstention resulted from arguments made by Grade School Board member Dave Hubbard. What he said at the last board meeting resulted in no duplication of the motion made to oppose the Vulcan Lakes TIF District. Without a mandate, Superintendent Ron Miller did not vote on District 155’s attempt to make it more difficult for the city council to pass the second TIF district.
Enacting both TIF districts would freeze the assessed valuation for properties they contain for 23 years as far as all tax districts but the City of Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake would obtain use of an estimated $138 million to use for so-called public improvements within the boundaries of the two TIF districts. Taxes on homeowners and businesses not in the TIF districts would increase an average of $6.1 million a year, assuming that the hoped for increased assessed valuation would occur without the TIF subsidy to developers.
School district representatives pointed out that recent or reported multi-million sales of Conlon-Collins and the old Hines Lumber property at the corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and Main Street was good indication that economic activity did not need a taxpayer subsidy.
Labels: Crystal Lake High School District 155, Dave Hubbard, District 47, Ron Miller, Tax Increment Financing District, TIF, Vulcan Lakes
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Blagojevich's All Kids Illegal Immigrant Connection Finally Nailed
In a press release sent out on Governor Rod Blagojevich’s All Kids health care expansion plan, Senator Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) finally reports what I have seen no where in the Left Stream Media.
The All Kids plan will have no requirement of citizenship.
Here how his press release puts it:
In Senate debate on 10/26/05, it was also discovered that applicants will not be required to provide proof of citizenship. So now, in addition to free elementary and secondary education in Illinois for illegal immigrants with no questions asked, those breaking the immigration law will have another incentive as taxpayers subsidize universal medical insurance for their kids.
Republican State Senators Rich Winkel, John Jones, Dale Righter led the debate, Chris told me when I called to ask.
The Federal government does not provide a 50-50 match for state Medicaid dollars spent on those who are not in the country legally.
Lauzen sees the proposed change in policy turning Illinois into a magnet for those in the country illegally who need medical care.
The All Kids plan will have no requirement of citizenship.
Here how his press release puts it:
In Senate debate on 10/26/05, it was also discovered that applicants will not be required to provide proof of citizenship. So now, in addition to free elementary and secondary education in Illinois for illegal immigrants with no questions asked, those breaking the immigration law will have another incentive as taxpayers subsidize universal medical insurance for their kids.
Republican State Senators Rich Winkel, John Jones, Dale Righter led the debate, Chris told me when I called to ask.
The Federal government does not provide a 50-50 match for state Medicaid dollars spent on those who are not in the country legally.
Lauzen sees the proposed change in policy turning Illinois into a magnet for those in the country illegally who need medical care.
Rear of Prairie Grove Grade School District 46 Bus Hangs Over Railroad Track During Tenth Anniversary Week of Fox River Grove Bus/Train Crash
You might think that local school districts would have learned a lesson from the Fox River Grove tragedy that occurred ten years ago.
But, one apparently hasn’t.
I was driving west on Crystal Lake Avenue this afternoon about 1:35 and two buses were in the right lane. The second one, bus number 2, had its rear end hanging over the tracks of the spur on the little hill running toward Main Street.
Obviously, that is not the same as the rear of a bus hanging over a main line, as was the case in Fox River Grove in 1995. Any work train on that track would be traveling much slower than the speed of the commuter train.
It does make one wonder whether the most elementary lesson of the Fox River Grove crash has penetrated deeply enough.
But, one apparently hasn’t.
I was driving west on Crystal Lake Avenue this afternoon about 1:35 and two buses were in the right lane. The second one, bus number 2, had its rear end hanging over the tracks of the spur on the little hill running toward Main Street.
Obviously, that is not the same as the rear of a bus hanging over a main line, as was the case in Fox River Grove in 1995. Any work train on that track would be traveling much slower than the speed of the commuter train.
It does make one wonder whether the most elementary lesson of the Fox River Grove crash has penetrated deeply enough.
Republican Chances for Talking Out Melissa Bean in 2006 Improve
The Daily Herald reports (the link will disappear in a week) that the man who lost the 2004 Democratic Party primary to Melissa Bean is planning to challenge her as an independent or a third party candidate.
An independent candidacy by union-supporter Bill Schuerer (D-Lindenhurst) would draw independent votes away from Bean in the heavily Republican district and improve the chances of the whomever wins the hotly-contested and crowded Republican primary election.
Unions who opposed CAFTA have been outraged at Bean’s vote in favor of the “free trade” bill. The week after it passed, however, businesses supporting it held a special fundraiser for the few Democrats who supported the bill.
It is less clear what a third party candidacy would do. My guess is that it would draw many fewer votes away from the incumbent congressman, but it would still give her campaign supporters fits.
Petitions for independent candidacies have to be filed at the same time (Dec. 12-19) as those running in party primaries—in early December—eleven months before the 2006 general elections. A minimum of 13,950 petition signatures is required. No more than 22, 320 may be filed.
Third party candidates, however, don’t have to file until the summer of 2006—June 19-26, 2006). A minimum of 13,950 must be filed for third party candidacies. There is no maximum.
Republicans, on the other hand, need only 766 signatures, while Democrats need 868. The numbers are based on Republican and Democrat votes for Congress in 2004.
Until sometime in the 1990’s independent candidates could file the same time as third party candidates. My guess is that leaders of the major parties concluded that having the word “Independent” next to one’s name was too much of an advantage in an era when party identification was becoming weaker and changed the law to make it more difficult for independents to “rain on their parade” in the general elections.
The Daily Herald article says that Schuerer already has a check for $5,000 from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
An independent candidacy by union-supporter Bill Schuerer (D-Lindenhurst) would draw independent votes away from Bean in the heavily Republican district and improve the chances of the whomever wins the hotly-contested and crowded Republican primary election.
Unions who opposed CAFTA have been outraged at Bean’s vote in favor of the “free trade” bill. The week after it passed, however, businesses supporting it held a special fundraiser for the few Democrats who supported the bill.
It is less clear what a third party candidacy would do. My guess is that it would draw many fewer votes away from the incumbent congressman, but it would still give her campaign supporters fits.
Petitions for independent candidacies have to be filed at the same time (Dec. 12-19) as those running in party primaries—in early December—eleven months before the 2006 general elections. A minimum of 13,950 petition signatures is required. No more than 22, 320 may be filed.
Third party candidates, however, don’t have to file until the summer of 2006—June 19-26, 2006). A minimum of 13,950 must be filed for third party candidacies. There is no maximum.
Republicans, on the other hand, need only 766 signatures, while Democrats need 868. The numbers are based on Republican and Democrat votes for Congress in 2004.
Until sometime in the 1990’s independent candidates could file the same time as third party candidates. My guess is that leaders of the major parties concluded that having the word “Independent” next to one’s name was too much of an advantage in an era when party identification was becoming weaker and changed the law to make it more difficult for independents to “rain on their parade” in the general elections.
The Daily Herald article says that Schuerer already has a check for $5,000 from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Bi-Partisan Pols Watch Sox Game in D.C.
Illinois foremost advocate of comity among Republicans and Democrats, Congressman Ray LaHood (R-Peoria), watched the Sox game in Senator Dick Durbin’s Washington office with Senator Barack Obama and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, according to WGN-TV.
No other Republicans were reported present.
No other Republicans were reported present.
Labels: Barack Obama, Dick Durbin, Ray LaHood, Richard Daley
Bumper Sticker of the Day
Politicians are Like Diapers
Both Need To Be Changed Often
And, for the Same Reason
Seen on a older dark pick-up truck going westbound on Route 14 at the McHenry Avenue light during afternoon rush hour.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
McHenry County Legislative Road Show Talks Transportation
Randy Tartol of Lake-in-the-Hills asked for an update on the road situation.
After the charged exchange on illegal immigrants possibly being included in Governor Rod Blagojevich’s All Kids health care expansion program, State Rep. Mike Tryon and State Sen. Pam Althoff would more than willing to comply.
“Illinois receives more money—33% more than ever before (from the federal government),” Sen. Althoff reported. “We can match many of those programs. The question is, ‘Will we?’ because we keep sweeping those dollars away."
Althoff was referring to the Blagojevich-led raiding of the state road fund in order to finance services traditionally paid for by the state’s general fund.
“Is any of that money coming up this way?” Tartol continued.
Tryon pointed to $32 million for the following projects:
- Route 47 in Huntley
- Algonquin Road
- Western By-pass in Algonquin
- Rakow Road
- Pingree Road and
- Train Stations in Woodstock and Johnsburg
“The problem is that we have to spend the money in five years,” Tryon added.
Another problem Tryon mentioned are what he calls “diversions.” Engineer Gary Overbay enumerated many, observing that of the $1.8 billion collect in Motor Fuel Taxes, only $375 was available for state road projects.
“It was $875 million five years ago,” Tryon added. (That was because Governor George Ryan’s Illinois F.I.R.S.T. 25 year bonding program had not yet been depleted.)
Tryon praised Congressman Don Manzullo for his efforts to get money to improve Route 47.
Commenting on the Western By-pass of the intersection of Routes 31 and 62, Tryon relayed finding out that the project was delayed for nine months because an employee overseeing the project’s environmental study retired and was not replaced.
Overbay, whose firm is overseeing the project said that Indiana Hoosier bats were being studied.
“They’ve never been here, but might want to come here on vacation,” he observed, revealing that the search cost $200,000.
One Lake-in-the-Hills woman wanted to know why overpasses or underpasses were not built “so that kids can go safely across Randall Road.”
Overbay, who is also the road consultant for the Village of Huntley, explained that the bike underpass at Route 14 and Main Street in Crystal Lake cost $14 million.
“The problem is there are so many urgent traffic needs,” he continued.
Senator Althoff pointed out that only one new road—Rakow Road--has been built in McHenry County since 1926.
Tryon’s legislative assistant and McHenry County Board member Tina Hill wondered, “Why can’t all these builders pay the roads to four lanes?”
Overbay pointed out that it was a “community by community issue. Huntley did it on Route 47.”
Algonquin Village President observed that his village board had extracted $8 million from developers to widen Randall Road.
Tryon added that Randall Road had been built for 28,000 cars per day, but that it currently has 50,000 daily.
He added that growth is market driven, that McHenry County ranks fourth in the country in owner-occupied housing.
Observing that the last developers have to pay for the sins of the past, he quoted a taxpayer from his first campaign for county board:
You know widening a road to control traffic congestion is like loosening a belt to control obesity.
Tryon suggested that there was more truth in this observation by a T.A.R.G.E.T. member than one might like to believe. He said the acronym stood for "Taxpayers Against Ridiculous Growth and Exorbitant Taxation."
Labels: Gry Overbay, Lake In the Hills, Mike Tryon, Pam Althoff
Is Governor Rod Blagojevich's "AllKids" Expansion of Children's Health Care Targeting Those Illegally in US?
That’s what the most intense questioner at Monday night’s legislative road show thinks.
Algonquin resident T. J. asked State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) and State Sen. Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) after an extensive dialogue on school financing.“Is this including illegal aliens?” she asked. “My understanding is that this is (such) an extension. “This is another legal avenue to negotiate a way through our society. This is ridiculous!” she continued.
In the public arena, intensity counts. One really angry constituent can knock on a lot of doors and talk to a lot of people if she wants to.
The two legislators paid attention.T. J. told Althoff that she knew that the senator had supported the matricular card in April. That identification card is issued by the Mexican government to its citizens who live in other countries.
“People who are illegally in this country apply for this card at the Mexican consulate,” T. J. explained later. “If you are legally in this country, there is not need for this card. The kicker is that the Mexican government doesn’t even recognize this as a legal ID.
”Althoff seemed taken aback and seemed to suggest that she did not vote for the bill in question.
"Only 13 voted against it,” T. J. replied forcefully, referencing an April senate rollcall.
Later in the meeting, T. J. asked how each legislator planned to vote on the proposal, whose language has not yet been made public. “Right now, I’m not going to support it,” Tryon replied, although he added, “I totally support putting Medicaid under a managed care program. “I don’t see how you can do this (program) for $50 million. Althoff’s answer was similar: “No. I am not a supporter of the program at all.”
Curiously, the Daily Herald ignored the issue, while the Northwest Herald at least mentioned it.
Algonquin resident T. J. asked State Rep. Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) and State Sen. Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) after an extensive dialogue on school financing.“Is this including illegal aliens?” she asked. “My understanding is that this is (such) an extension. “This is another legal avenue to negotiate a way through our society. This is ridiculous!” she continued.
In the public arena, intensity counts. One really angry constituent can knock on a lot of doors and talk to a lot of people if she wants to.
The two legislators paid attention.T. J. told Althoff that she knew that the senator had supported the matricular card in April. That identification card is issued by the Mexican government to its citizens who live in other countries.
“People who are illegally in this country apply for this card at the Mexican consulate,” T. J. explained later. “If you are legally in this country, there is not need for this card. The kicker is that the Mexican government doesn’t even recognize this as a legal ID.
”Althoff seemed taken aback and seemed to suggest that she did not vote for the bill in question.
"Only 13 voted against it,” T. J. replied forcefully, referencing an April senate rollcall.
Later in the meeting, T. J. asked how each legislator planned to vote on the proposal, whose language has not yet been made public. “Right now, I’m not going to support it,” Tryon replied, although he added, “I totally support putting Medicaid under a managed care program. “I don’t see how you can do this (program) for $50 million. Althoff’s answer was similar: “No. I am not a supporter of the program at all.”
Curiously, the Daily Herald ignored the issue, while the Northwest Herald at least mentioned it.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Kathie Schultz Running for Re-Election as County Clerk
When asked whether she was running for re-election, Kathie said she was.
“I’ve got my petitions out,” she said.
McHenry County Blog was prompted to ask the question because Establishment Republicans are spreading the rumor that Kathie is retiring.Will Legislative Staff Caucus Time Sheets Be Missing in Action in Madigan's Latest "Ethics" Bill?
What do you want to bet that the so-called "ethics" bill on which Democratic Party House Speaker Mike Madigan will allow a vote will not include the release of time sheets for his and the employees of the other three party caucuses?
When Ralph Nader had his petitions challenged by the Illinois Democratic Party, I submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for the time sheets of Madigan’s employees during the period when they were observed by Christine Tobin to be working on the challenge. That request was denied. Christine and I then sued Madigan, but a Cook County judge ruled that legislative time sheets were exempt from the FOI process.The short of it was that only with a criminal subpoena could anyone see the time sheets.
Considering the past misuse of House GOP staffers and the multi-party legislative caucus staff scandal in Wisconsin (of all places), it is exceedingly strange that major media sources don’t seem to think the legislative staffer time sheet exclusion is too unimportant to mention.
When Ralph Nader had his petitions challenged by the Illinois Democratic Party, I submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for the time sheets of Madigan’s employees during the period when they were observed by Christine Tobin to be working on the challenge. That request was denied. Christine and I then sued Madigan, but a Cook County judge ruled that legislative time sheets were exempt from the FOI process.The short of it was that only with a criminal subpoena could anyone see the time sheets.
Considering the past misuse of House GOP staffers and the multi-party legislative caucus staff scandal in Wisconsin (of all places), it is exceedingly strange that major media sources don’t seem to think the legislative staffer time sheet exclusion is too unimportant to mention.
Will Those Illegally in Illinois Will Be the Biggest Beneficiary of Governor Rod Blagojevich’s “All Kids” Health Plan?
So far I have heard only one reporter mention the portion of the population that may be the biggest beneficiary of the Governor's proposal: children who are illegally in the United States.
It is my understanding that they are not now eligible for KidsCare because of Federal rules. The Feds will not provide the traditional 50% match unless recipients are in the country legally.
Nothing about this aspect of the program is in the Tribune’s story today.
The only place I have seen or read that little tidbit is on WTTW. It came out of WMAQ political reporter's Dick Kay's mouth.
This is significant because it means State taxpayers will have to pick up the full cost of the program.
Wouldn’t you think some of the media would be mentioning this part of the story?
Labels: All Kids, Dick Kay, illegal aliens, Illegal Immigrants, Kids Care, Rod Blagojevich
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Crystal Lake Park Board Interrogates City TIF Consultant
“How can the City of Crystal Lake adopt a TIF district that takes money away from people who don’t live in Crystal Lake?” Commissioner Dave Phelps asked. “It’ll cost people who don’t live in Crystal Lake more money. Doesn’t that seem wrong to you?”
Thursday night Crystal Lake Park District Board members interrogated the City of Crystal Lake’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) consultant Mario Ortega in an attempt “figure out which shell the pea is under,” to put in Board member Scott Breeden’s words.
“What you’re asking us to do is to ask all of those people to help pay for Crystal Lake where those people cannot take any advantage of it,” Breeden added.
After extended vigorous questioning, the Teska Associates consultant Ortega recommended people “should bring up any concerns you have at the public hearing or the joint review meeting.” The public hearing is at 7:30 PM at City Hall on Tuesday, November 1st.
The mayor and the city council have proposed two TIF districts, which will take what I calculate to be an average of about $100 million for 23 years off the tax roles for all tax districts, but city government.
One TIF is on the southern edge of Downtown. It will make more of the tax base disappear than will the Rt. 14 proposal.
West of Main Street it is comprised of where Hines Lumber Company used to be located and the two buildings to its west along Crystal Lake Avenue.
East of Main Street, the old Oak Manufacturing properties north and south of Crystal Lake Avenue west of Main Street are included, plus points south to the railroad tracks where Main Street Classic Cars is located.
That $100 of assessed valuation—on the average--will disappear from every tax districts’ tax base for 23 years. The lose will average over $6 million a year or about $138 million over the 23-year period. In fact, the amount may be more because the city expects the redevelopment of the Rt. 14 property to be completed within five years.
Because of the way the property tax cap works, local tax districts are not at their maximum tax rate. For that reason, tax districts will be able to raise their tax rates on all real estate, except what is in the TIF districts. This will result in higher tax rates for all property in McHenry County and, of course, higher tax bills.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Thursday night Crystal Lake Park District Board members interrogated the City of Crystal Lake’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) consultant Mario Ortega in an attempt “figure out which shell the pea is under,” to put in Board member Scott Breeden’s words.
“What you’re asking us to do is to ask all of those people to help pay for Crystal Lake where those people cannot take any advantage of it,” Breeden added.
After extended vigorous questioning, the Teska Associates consultant Ortega recommended people “should bring up any concerns you have at the public hearing or the joint review meeting.” The public hearing is at 7:30 PM at City Hall on Tuesday, November 1st.
The mayor and the city council have proposed two TIF districts, which will take what I calculate to be an average of about $100 million for 23 years off the tax roles for all tax districts, but city government.
One TIF is on the southern edge of Downtown. It will make more of the tax base disappear than will the Rt. 14 proposal.
West of Main Street it is comprised of where Hines Lumber Company used to be located and the two buildings to its west along Crystal Lake Avenue.
East of Main Street, the old Oak Manufacturing properties north and south of Crystal Lake Avenue west of Main Street are included, plus points south to the railroad tracks where Main Street Classic Cars is located.
That $100 of assessed valuation—on the average--will disappear from every tax districts’ tax base for 23 years. The lose will average over $6 million a year or about $138 million over the 23-year period. In fact, the amount may be more because the city expects the redevelopment of the Rt. 14 property to be completed within five years.
Because of the way the property tax cap works, local tax districts are not at their maximum tax rate. For that reason, tax districts will be able to raise their tax rates on all real estate, except what is in the TIF districts. This will result in higher tax rates for all property in McHenry County and, of course, higher tax bills.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Medical Care for Illegal Aliens?
Before it passed, I pointed out that All Kids' primary purpose was to pay for medical care of illegal aliens.
If you do an internet search, maybe you can find more that the two references to that possibility that I found (in the Quincy and Crystal Lake daily papers) before the bill passed, but I doubt it.
Senator Chris Lauzen was the first to send something out with the documentation.
The first mainstream media guy to agree was Dick Kay on Chicago Tonight.
That fact was confirmed, but not until after the bill became law.
(If you want to see how the All Kids revelation developed, you can find links in this story. )
Wednesday, I listened to news broadcasts.
Today, I read the articles.
I heard and read nothing about whether those without health care benefits who would benefit from Governor Rod Blagojevich’s “Illinois Covered” will have to be legally in the United States.
Would the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Associated Press and others please provide the answer BEFORE the legislation is voted upon this time around?
If folks want to support that, that is, of course, their right.
Bur public discourse is not well served if the contents of legislation as pioneering as this is not known by legislators' constituents before it is voted upon.
If you do an internet search, maybe you can find more that the two references to that possibility that I found (in the Quincy and Crystal Lake daily papers) before the bill passed, but I doubt it.
Senator Chris Lauzen was the first to send something out with the documentation.
The first mainstream media guy to agree was Dick Kay on Chicago Tonight.
That fact was confirmed, but not until after the bill became law.
(If you want to see how the All Kids revelation developed, you can find links in this story. )
Wednesday, I listened to news broadcasts.
Today, I read the articles.
I heard and read nothing about whether those without health care benefits who would benefit from Governor Rod Blagojevich’s “Illinois Covered” will have to be legally in the United States.
Would the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Associated Press and others please provide the answer BEFORE the legislation is voted upon this time around?
If folks want to support that, that is, of course, their right.
Bur public discourse is not well served if the contents of legislation as pioneering as this is not known by legislators' constituents before it is voted upon.
Labels: Dick Kay, illegal aliens, Illinois Covered, Kids Care
Friday, October 21, 2005
Crystal Lake's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts To Raise Your Taxes
Crystal Lake has recently proposed two Tax Increment Financing districts, one along Main Street and the other along Route 14. Both will result in your tax rates being raised in future years as other local tax districts try to compensate for the lost real estate tax revenue that will result from freezing the assessed valuation of the property within the TIF districts.
Labels: Main Street TIF, Tax Increment Financing District, Vulcan Lakes
