McHenry County Governments Missing in Action on Pending Crystal Lake TIF Tax Hikes

The City of Crystal Lake must notify all of the tax districts who will be affected when it proposes a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. When the city did so, only three decided it was worth their time to take … Continue reading

Vulcan Lakes: Regional Impact, McHenry County Financing, BUT Use To Be Limited to Crystal Lake City Residents

When the City of Crystal Lake traded the gravel under Three Oaks Road to Vulcan Material Company for the resulting lakes when gravel mining was completed, everyone using Route 14 was affected. The day after Three Oaks Road was closed, … Continue reading

Another Way to Finance Vulcan Lakes Improvements: Let the McHenry County Conservation District Do It

There is one clear method through which improvements to Vulcan Lakes could be financed. The City Council could just ask the McHenry County Conservation District to take over the property. It could be rented out on a long-term lease, with … Continue reading

Crystal Lake TIF-Fighting Flyer: Developers Win, You Lose

The Crystal Lake City Council is planning to divert money from our school, park & college districts to benefit developers along Route 14 and on Main St. in Crystal Lake. A TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District freezes the property tax … Continue reading

Crystal Lake TIF-Fighting Flyer: Mayor Shepley/Council Plan Tax Hike

As much as $6 million a year tax shift from businesses in two proposed Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFs) to us homeowners and other businesses has been proposed by the Mayor and City Council. Over 23 years, something in the … Continue reading

Crystal Lake TIF-Fighting Flyer: Mayor Shepley/Council Plan Tax Hike

As much as $6 million a year tax shift from businesses in two proposed Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFs) to us homeowners and other businesses has been proposed by the Mayor and City Council. Over 23 years, something in the … Continue reading

Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF Project to Require 3/5 Majority Vote on Crystal Lake City Council

A mid-day Friday city hall meeting of the tax districts affected by the two Tax Increment Financing districts proposed by the City of Crystal Lake resulting in requiring one of the proposals to receive a 3/5 majority. District representatives voted … Continue reading

Vulcan Lakes/Route 14 TIF Project to Require 3/5 Majority Vote on Crystal Lake City Council

A mid-day Friday city hall meeting of the tax districts affected by the two Tax Increment Financing districts proposed by the City of Crystal Lake resulting in requiring one of the proposals to receive a 3/5 majority. District representatives voted … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Park Board Interrogates City TIF Consultant

“How can the City of Crystal Lake adopt a TIF district that takes money away from people who don’t live in Crystal Lake?” Commissioner Dave Phelps asked. “It’ll cost people who don’t live in Crystal Lake more money. Doesn’t that … Continue reading

Crystal Lake’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts To Raise Your Taxes

Crystal Lake has recently proposed two Tax Increment Financing districts, one along Main Street and the other along Route 14. Both will result in your tax rates being raised in future years as other local tax districts try to compensate … Continue reading