Cary School Board Gets the Property Tax Burden Message

Cary Grade School District 26 Board President Scott Coffey explains below what the School Board did with its property tax levy for next year: D26 implemented a two-pronged approach to the levy this year. First, we applied the CPI rate … Continue reading

Local School Finances – How to Probe

Crack researcher Susan Handelsmann of rural Woodstock has put together a “how to” piece about figuring out what your school board has done with school finances. It is presented below for McHenry Grade School District 15, but can be adapted … Continue reading

Tryon Moves Conservation District Tax Hike Bill Out of Committee

On a 9-1 vote, McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon has moved Senate Bill 3341, the bill to allow the McHenry County Conservation District to borrow money without a referendum, from the House Revenue Committee. That will, of course, lead … Continue reading

McSweeney and Franks Make Chicago Tribune with Alternative Bond Reform Bill

David McSweeney knows how to pick ’em. And Jack Franks has been a master of gaining publicity for virtually his entire 14-year legislative career. McSweeney came up with the idea to reform the alternative revenue bond process and had a … Continue reading

Health Club at Moraine Valley & McHenry County Community Colleges Could Tap Faculty Salaries

I’m looking at the alternative revenue bond statement approved by bond counsel Chapman and Cutler. How does the document say they will be paid off? “…payable from the construction/infrastructure improvement fee imposed upon students of the District (the “Improvement Fee”), … Continue reading

Crain’s Poll Shows People Oppose Tax Subsidies for Sports Stadiums

As the McHenry County College Board and a majority of the Crystal Lake City Council learned, most people don’t think their tax dollars should be used to prop up those wanting to build sports stadiums. Now, Crain’s Chicago Business has … Continue reading

Valley Hi Bonds Paid Off, Discussion of Continuing to Tax Same Amount and Use for Operating Purposes

The McHenry County Nursing Home’s bonds to construct the new complex have been paid off. When the bonds for the Lakewood golf course were paid off (last year), the cut in property taxes was measurable this year. It seems that … Continue reading

MCC to Refinance Loans in Hope of Saving Money

McHenry County College has $2.2 million in outstanding bonds, issued apparently without a referendum, for which interest higher than market rate is being paid. The Board is scheduled to refinance them at Thursday’s meeting and save 2.5 percentage points, as … Continue reading

Turnberry Country Club Solicits Members

No initiation fees. That’s what the post card I got today at my non-Turnberry Lakewood home said. Just spend $355 a a month, if you join on your own, or $580 a month for the whole family.  Tennis courts included, … Continue reading

Huntley School District 158 Proposes Budget Showing Scheduled Legal Debt Obligation Not Being Paid Back

You might think a school district’s budget has to show specifically where the money is going to come from to pay for its legal debt obligations that are due in this budget year You might think in normal budgeting, state … Continue reading