Nancy Zettler Running for Tryon’s Seat

At Allen Skillicorn’s Crystal Lake petition pizza party, I learned that District 300 activist Nancy Zettler and attorney with an office in Algonquin is running for State Representative. The Democrat seeks to replace Crystal Lake’s Mike Tryon who is retiring. … Continue reading

Sears Subsidy Passes House – School District 300 Take + Roll Call on SB 397

A press release from School District 300: Sears legislation passes House, headed to Senate SPRINGFIELD – Legislation to extend the Sears EDA for another 15 years and provide additional tax credits to Sears passed the Illinois House of Representatives this … Continue reading

District 300 Gets as Good as Possible Sears’ Subsidy Legislation, Passage Not Certain

A press release from District 300: EDA issues clarified; D300 “reluctantly satisfied” SPRINGFIELD – Several of District 300’s core concerns about the latest EDA legislation were successfully addressed in a hearing today (Nov. 28) at the State Capitol, prompting a … Continue reading

District 300 Still Not Being Included in Negotiations, “Hoffman Estates Doesn’t Give a Flip”

This morning McHenry County Blog revealed the details of the Sears bailout bill. Allison Strupeck, District 300’s Spokesperson, reacted with the following: To be very clear, the new legislation that Senators Dan Kotowski (the chief sponsor of the original Senate … Continue reading

District 300 Spearheads Monday Trip to Springfield in Attempt to Thwart Plans to Force Real Estate Taxpayers to Continue Sears Subsidy

A press release from School District 300 D300 headed to Springfield to lobby against Amendment 3 D300 has invited all taxpayers, parents, students, and education employees to caravan to the Lincoln Statue at the State Capitol this Monday, Oct. 24, … Continue reading

Algonquin Objecting to Hoffman Estates TIF Rip-off

And the considerable article writing skills of District 300’s Allison Strupeck brings us the following account: Algonquin Leads Way on EDA The Village of Algonquin took a leadership role this week on the proposed extension of the Sears Economic Development … Continue reading

Hoffman Estates Delays Answer on District 300 Taxpayer Questions about Financial Viability of Sears Centre, Expect Future Shenanigans

The Village of Hoffman Estates is trying to pull a fast one over District 300 taxpayers by extending the diversion of school tax revenues in the “tax everyone outside of the Sears Tax Increment Financing District,” while hiding information about … Continue reading

School District 300 Superintendent Says to Sears: “Enough Is Enough”

A press release from District 300: D300 leaders react to press reports about political deal-making at the expense of students District 300 leaders expressed alarm and increasing skepticism today after reading press reports that some Illinois legislators are working on … Continue reading

District 300 Reveals TIF Meeting with Sears

A press release from School District 300: D300 leaders in talks with Sears District 300 leaders are working closely with officials from Sears and the Village of Hoffman Estates to prevent the extension of the Sears Economic Development Area (EDA). … Continue reading

Sears Wants Local Taxpayers to Continue Subsidizing It

In 1989, I was standing next to State Rep. Delores Doederlein on the House floor the night that the Hoffman Estates Tax Increment Financing District for Sears was passed. As the debate neared its end, she asked me if I … Continue reading

Operation Click Awards New Cars at Sears Centre

Sadly, Operation Click has outgrown the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn. 40,000 high school students from Harvard to Champaign were involved this year. I so enjoyed the award ceremony two years ago when Cary-Grove High School’s Kate McNamee won. Happily, the … Continue reading