412 Vets with 70% or More Disability Exempt from Real Estate Taxes This Year

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

Cost to Taxpayers of FRG TIF

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

Hultgren Signs Letter That Will Help Com Ed to Raise Electric Rates

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

Rauner Wants Automatic RTA Subsidy Stopped

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

Low Income Housing Prompts Cary Controversary, Village Board Meeting Tonight

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

Multi-Million Dollar Annual Subsidy for Federal Government’s Housing of Illegal Aliens & Others at the McHenry County Jail – Part 1

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

McHenry County Board Members May Have Signaled Intention to “Tax to the Max” Again

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

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

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