Below you can read what incumbent Lakewood Village Trustee Gary Sexson is distributing to voters in his campaign for re-election. (If the other incumbents would like be to post their campaign literature or, for that matter, any other McHenry County … Continue reading
A letter I got recently from Steve Willson, a resident of Lakewood who is a bond analyst: My name is Steve Willson. Perhaps you’ve read some of my letters and guest editorials in the Herald about local government waste, something I … Continue reading
Here’s how I spent my Sunday. I passed out the pitch below for Paul Serwatka, write-in candidate for Lakewood Village Trustee. There were many more than the usual number at home, so I had many good conversations. Virtually everyone knew … Continue reading
Except for the “Write-in” on the sign, you can’t tell the difference between Paul Serwatka’s campaign and a mainstream one. On top this four-by-four foot sign talks about tax hikes. Lakewood’s Village Board has maximized its tax take under the … Continue reading
The spring communication from Lakewood Village President Erin Smith: From the President Dear Neighbors: One of my favorite responsibilities as the Village President is to present the “State of the Community” address to the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce every … Continue reading
When McHenry Mayor Pam Althoff was pushing a Downtown Tax Increment Financing District, resident Steve Stanek, son of former Mayor Joe Stanek, was in opposition. It’s been a long time since then, but Stanek is still not a fan of … Continue reading
Lakewood policy wonk Steve Willson took fingers to keys, writing the following lament about the lack of candidates in most municipal elections and, especially, his own Village of Lakewood. I am disappointed in how many local races are not contested, … Continue reading
Don’t know why I didn’t think to figure out how much the Lakewood TIF project will cost before, but I didn’t until bond analyst Steve Willson ran the numbers. Most have been thinking that the figures provided in the SB … Continue reading
Sunday Northwest Herald columnist Kevin Craver weighed in on the proposed Lakewood Tax Increment Financing District (due to be passed this Tuesday night at a 7 PM meeting being held at Turnberry Country Club). Of interest to some will be … Continue reading
A press release from the Village of Lakewood: Update to January 27 Board Meeting As a follow up to the informational meeting held on January 20 and earlier correspondence, the Village of Lakewood wants to clarify that a final decision … Continue reading
Bond analyst Steve Willson, a Lakewood resident, put together his take on what happened at the public hearing on the ChicagoLand SportsPlex. You may read it below: A Summary of Lakewood’s Public TIF Meeting Village: Thank you for coming to … Continue reading
Lakewood’s Village Board brought those proposing to build the Chicagoland SportsPlex to face the public Tuesday night, one week before zoning of it is to be considered. The main concern of those in Colleens Cote, who have a Huntley postal … Continue reading
The Village of Lakewood has pretty much decided to create a Tax Increment Financing District of about one square mile. This Tuesday at 7 PM, the SportsPlex development, in its second iteration, will be presented at a public meeting at … Continue reading
A commenter named Mark provides the following information on the proposed Lakewood Tax Increment Financing District. (A meeting will be held at the Turnberry Country Club at 7 PM on the next two Tuesdays to discuss the SportsPlex proposed for … Continue reading
A press release from the Village of Lakewood: Special Informational Meeting The Village of Lakewood is pleased to announce that an informational meeting to review the proposal for a development at the southwest corner of the intersection of Illinois Route … Continue reading
Lakewood joined the parade of municipalities that want Tax Increment Financing Districts. Since McHenry County Blog was created in reaction to Crystal Lake’s proposal to create the Vulcan Lakes TIF District and since I’m a resident of Lakewood, I felt … Continue reading
The McHenry County Sports Plex died a couple of years ago, even with an EB-5 financing designation and $18 million designated by the McHenry County Board from Barack Obama’s stimulus money. There has to be a zombie angle here somewhere, … Continue reading
The United States Senator who put the McHenry County Board’s Stimulus loan for the McHenry County SportPlex on the national map in his 2010 Wastebook has announced he is retiring at the end of the year. That’s what the National … Continue reading
The Illinois Finance Authority sold tax exempt bonds for the Leaf’s Hockey Club in West Dundee in 2007. Almost $20 million worth “with no equity at risk,” reports Crane’s Chicago Business. In this case, the bondholders are left holding the … Continue reading
Now I’ve gotten three pieces of political mail. The only contests in my part of Lakewood and Crystal Lake are for President and McHenry County Board. I received an introduction-fund raising pitch from our Congressman-to-be Peter Roskam, a piece from … Continue reading
