With Pace rides being subsidized about $16.10, using Uber and Lyft for those who don’t need a handicapped accessible bus might save a considerable amount of money. Now that Metra has agreed to partner with Uber and I’m wondering if … Continue reading
Category Archives: Subsidy
A bill took effect last year which allowed Veterans who are 70% or more disabled, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to be exempt from property taxes. McHenry County Supervisor of Assessments Robert Ross explains, “In 2015 there … Continue reading
A message from Congressman Randy Hultgren: July grants update As your representative in the 14th Congressional District of Illinois, it is my pleasure to assist you in navigating the federal grantmaking system. Listed below is a sampling of current grants … Continue reading
Chicago Reader’s Ben Joravsky’s take on Chicago Tax Increment Financing Districts: “As you know, TIFs are, in effect, a surcharge added to your property tax. “The proceeds are used to pay for pretty much anything the mayor wants.” He adds … Continue reading
In a recent Chicago Tribune article, State Rep. Jack Franks is cited: Democratic Rep. Jack Franks, a longtime EDGE critic from Marengo, called the incentive program “deeply flawed.” But a commenter on Capitol Fax Blog noted the following: 2009- HB1526- … Continue reading
Toby Levin, a long-time member of the McHenry County Citizens for Choice died at age 94 and left money in her will to pay for abortions. A letter from Deloris Manny notes that in years past over 350 women have … Continue reading
My wife and her friends were disappointed when they visited Springfield’s Old Capitol Art Fair in mid-May. There was not Wine Garden. I don’t know when the first one was held, but I found a photo of the event from … Continue reading
Congressman Randy Hultgren did not send out a press release on his signing a letter that will help Com Ed get permission to raise electric rates. I had to find this on Crain’s Chicago Business. Reporter Greg Hinz characterizes the … Continue reading
When the Regional Transportation Authority referendum passed, there was a subsidy assumed. I remember that is was about $60 million a year. That number came from a formula. It was some small percentage of the sales tax collected in the … Continue reading
A press release from Congressman Randy Hultgren: Hultgren Supports Equal Transit Benefits for Mass-Transit Commuters Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) has joined seven of his colleagues as an original cosponsor of H.R. 990, the Commuter Parity Act, … Continue reading
The Illinois State Treasury must be overflowing. What other conclusion can one draw after reading the Chicago Tribune article about a $3 million state subsidy to enable private bicycle company Divvy to expand? … Continue reading
Thanks to a friend of McHenry County Blog for the following photos from the Cary Village Board meeting: The group Cary Matters packed the Cary Village Board meeting Tuesday night. It was standing room only. About 125 people came to … Continue reading
It’s 8 AM today at a Cary real estate office. The Realtor is expecting a visitor. A man walks in and the Realtor greets him. “You must be (name withheld)?” “No I’m (another person). Based on what I see going … Continue reading
One of the signature accomplishments claimed by outgoing McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren is the build-out of the unfinished top floor of the jail with the help of $6.5 million in Federal funds. Now, figures from the Sheriff’s Department show … Continue reading
In 1994, I spoke against the subsidy for ethanol manufacturers (mainly) Archer Daniels Midland and Staley. Those with long memories might recall that when I ran against Robert McClory for Congress in 1980. I was enthralled with the possibility that … Continue reading
The headline in the Sun-Times article has an article entitled, “ADM ripped for ‘blackmailing’ state.” Compare that to the headline in the Chicago Tribune: “ADM details bid for tax breaks.” Tell me, if you can, how moving 100 jobs from … Continue reading
Getting as much money out of taxpayers is pretty much the goal of every tax district official, from school board member to township trustee. To do that, boards need to ask for more than the increase in the Cost of … Continue reading
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
Here’s another indication that members of the Illinois General Assembly should not be in charge of investing your retirement money. My first non-part-time job was as a Budget Examiner of the United States Budget Bureau. As a baby budget examiner, … Continue reading
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