This week, Chris and Ryan talk about one of the biggest drug busts in Chicago Heights' history and the changes to Homewood's tax financing programs.
Please feel free to leave feedback comments below and, as always, thanks for listening!
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Spending caps and increased scrutiny of applications are just some of the changes.
Article updated at 2 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2013 The Village of Homewood voted to revise the currently offered TIF incentive programs during the Jan. 8 board meeting. Community Development Director Paula Wallrich says several reasons called for the revisions. Declining property values have resulted in a lower-than-expected TIF fund balance. Wallrich also said some long-time businesses in town are requesting more help as part of a developing business retention program. “We also wanted to make sure that we were doing everything we could to secure and protect the village’s investment,” Wallrich said. Homewood has three main TIF programs: Façade and Property Improvement, Retail Enhancement and Go Green. Formerly, only the Retail Enhancement program …
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Representatives from Homewood’s other taxing bodies appeared at the Dec. 11 meeting to ask the board to table a vote to spend nearly $1 million in economic development so a joint meeting could be held to discuss the decision.
Homewood trustees passed an agreement to provide $900,000 in TIF money for the development of a new downtown hotel, but not without considerable opposition from the village’s other taxing bodies. Their chief complaint? The village failed to give them a fair warning of such a large impending financial decision. READ: Planned Downtown Hotel Receives $900,000 from Village “Our school district was taken aback by the sudden emergence of the proposed financial assistance package for the downtown hotel project …” Shelly Marks, School District 153 Board President, said. In response, Marks presented the board with a list of questions compiled from her district, the H-F Park District, the Homewood Public Library and H-F High School District 233. She…
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1:09 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Change of heart-I am dead set against this development. After my own investigation, I am convinced Homewood cannot and will not support such an endeavor, and most of the Ravisloe wedding guests are incredibly cheap and will not stay in anything above the Halsted Budget Inn (jewish people are not known as spendthrifts) more ›
Another 1,000 square feet will be added to the popular yoga business which boasts over 1,500 active members.
Homewood trustees voted in favor of awarding Reflections Yoga owner Cipriano Romero $10,000 through the Retail Enhancement Incentive Program during the Oct. 9 village meeting. The business, located at 18675 Dixie, offers beginning and advanced yoga classes, as well as yoga teacher training. Romero says increasing demand from customers and a desire for more retail space fueled the decision to invest over $11,000 out of his own pocket and the $10,000 in TIF money to build out his current studio into the adjacent southside unit. "... Mr. Romero, you (produced) one of the most thorough business plans that we ever had for a presentation for applying for TIF funds," Trustee Tom Kataras said. "I wish you the best down there with your expansion." …
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5:20 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I'm very happy to hear this news! I have been a student with reflections since they opened, and I am pleased for their success! more ›
A preview of what's going to be discussed and voted on during Homewood's Oct. 9 village board meeting.
Homewood Village President Richard Hofeld and the village trustees will meet at Homewood Village Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. New Assistant Village Manager Michael Marzal will be sworn in to office during tonight’s meeting. Marzal received his Masters in Public Administration at Northern Illinois University. He was formerly employed as the assistant village manager for the Village of Lincolnwood and the City of Woodstock before that. Trustees will vote to renew a $19,851 contract with Homewood Disposal for the village’s three-week leaf pickup program. Trustees will vote to waive competitive bidding requirements for three new Chevrolet Caprice police interceptors from Miles Chevrolet through a state purchasing contract for $84,876…
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10:19 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Sweeping leaves into the curb, AKA street will only clog the storm drains and cause flooding. Also, during the rest of the yard waste season why can't I just put a temporary sticker on a designated container that gets emptied into the yard waste collection truck. I don't have enough yard waste to justify the expense of a big blue yard waste bin. Also, how many trees were killed to make those … more ›
$142,000 in TIF money will go towards the conversion of Aurelio's outdoor dining area to an enclosed banquet room.
Homewood trustees voted to approve $142,043 in tax incentive money Tuesday night to help fund a banquet room addition to Aurelio’s restaurant. The request was made by owner Joe Aurelio through the village’s Go Green and Façade and Property Improvement Program. He says Aurelio’s restaurant currently has to consistently turn down parties of up to 70 people multiple times per week due to lack of space. This banquet room will help remedy that problem, he says. In total, Aurelio plans on investing $575,000 to transform the restaurant's south side outdoor dining patio into a banquet room. In addition to more space, Aurelio says this addition is going to benefit the community in a variety of ways. “The construction will create new jobs for a …
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2:36 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Let me get this straight: Aurelio's can't get a loan to pay for its own improvements? I thought the rewards of capitalism were based on risk. Why do each of us have to give (not lend) money for Joe Aurelio to make more money for Joe Aurelio? TIFs are the biggest ripoff in America. The taxpayers give money to businesses that either A. don't need it, because they're making plenty of money, or B. … more ›
A preview of what's going to be discussed and voted on during Homewood's Aug. 27 village board meeting.
Homewood Village President Richard Hofeld and the village trustees will meet at Homewood Village Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The soon-to-be Halsted Chipotle location is requesting an additional class 5 liquor license be created for their restaurant. The popular fast food chain is known for selling beer and margaritas along with their staple burritos in many locations. Trustees will be voting on the expenditure of $21,690.87 for a new electronic marquee sign from All Right Sign of Steger. The sign is intended to replace the current village sign at the corner of Dixie Highway and Chestnut Rd. $4,850.00 is being requested from a fire department equipment fund to the 183rd Street fence fund. According to the agenda, the money will …
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1:50 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
Speaking of TIF money, why is Bogarts closing? more ›
The village is well-known for giving out tax incentive money to incoming businesses, but a request in excess of $200,000 from a new fine dining restaurant was grounds for controversy during the June 26 Homewood Village Board meeting.
Homewood's upcoming fine dining restaurant, The Cottage on Dixie, will receive just over $200,000 in TIF incentive money, but not all the trustees are happy about it. The Cottage on Dixie owners Glenna and Dudley Elvery applied for the TIF money through all three of the village's tax incentive programs: Retail Enhancement, Façade and Property Improvement and Go Green. The money is to be distributed among three years, with the first year's distribution amounting to $170,000, and then $21,250 for each of the following two years. Trustee Tom Kataras didn't like the plan. “… (Are) you aware that the majority of restaurants fail within the first two years? Not to be the harbinger of bad news, but you are asking for a sizeable chunk of community…
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7:48 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
I suggest reading the state statute on Tax Incriment Financing. more ›
A public hearing on Homewood's two new proposed TIF districts will be held during the regularly scheduled business meeting on Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Village President Richard Hofeld and the Homewood Village Council will meet tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. There will be time allotted for public participation and comments. This meeting may be of particular interest to Homewood residents as the village board will be hosting a public discussion on Homewood's two new proposed TIF districts. Click on the PDF above to see the full agenda for the city council meeting. The meeting will be taking place at the Homewood Village Hall building, inside the first floor meeting room.
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2:23 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
For anyone who can't make it tonight, are there any TIF questions that you would like to have answered? more ›
H-F Patch lets you know what events and activities you can look forward to in and around H-F this week.
South Suburban Family Shelter will host its annual candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of domestic violence and their families. The event takes place on Monday Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Irwin Park band shell. New carpet for the Irwin Center and the fence and gate at Rover's Run dog park are just some of the items that the H-F Park District Board of Commissioners will be discussing during the 7 p.m. Tuesday night public meeting. Check out the agenda for more details on the upcoming meeting. Flossmoor’s Village Board will gather on Monday at 7:30 p.m. for a regular business meeting. Health screening initiatives and health screening accounts are just some items that the board will address. The full meeting agenda is posted …
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3:50 pm on Monday, October 3, 2011
What else should we be paying attention to this week? more ›
Ryan Fitzpatrick
2:04 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
Thank for the info, Jennifer. I'll be more careful about checking the levels next time we record. Out of curiosity—what device are you listening to this on? more ›