Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Homewood School District 153's $7.5 million tax referendum passed on Election Day with 80 percent approval.
A boisterous cheer erupted from the Homewood School District 153 referendum party at Grady’s Grille as initial precinct reports came in around 7:30 p.m. with 80 percent voting “Yes.” The percentage hardly budged as remaining precincts reported in. Despite the failure of every other referendum in Cook County, District 153’s passed with a final count of 2,588 votes “Yes” to 657 votes “No,” just shy of 80 percent approval. Alex Bosch, co-chair of referendum-backing organization Citizens for Homewood Schools, said 100 to 150 volunteers and 850 yard signs were used in the effort to promote the referendum. “People got together and had an opportunity to learn about the community, talk about the community, talk with each other, even if they weren’…
Monday, March 28, 2011
Video of Homewood School District 153's PTA Q&A session regarding the proposed $7.5 million tax referendum.
District 153 administrators answered questions during last Thursday's PTA meeting about the proposed $7.5 million tax referendum that will be voted on during Election Day, April 5. Watch our video to learn:
Monday, March 21, 2011
Folks around Homewood express their conflicting views on School District 153's proposed tax referendum.
With only two weeks until Election Day and 26 jobs on the line, the issue of Homewood School District 153’s proposed $7.5 million tax referendum is a hot discussion topic all over town. Homewood locals have been expressing varied opinions of the referendum which, if passed, mandates seven years of increased taxes. Local shop owner Otilio Puente has his reservations about the referendum. Although he rents his storefront from a landlord, he is wary of the effect an increased tax would have on his monthly bill. “I am pretty much against it, only because it is going to have to come out of somewhere and it is probably going to end up in … us being charged (more),” Puente said. “They get this little bit of increase, then what is it going to be …
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The state senator and former gubernatorial candidate spoke before the Bremen Township Republican Organization on Saturday.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Sunday, March 20, 2011
State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), the man who lost the 2010 GOP nomination for governor by fewer than 200 votes, spoke before an excited crowd at the Oak Park Avenue Metra station in Tinley Park for the Bremen Township Republican Organization's Lincoln/Reagan Breakfast Event. Check out our coverage at Tinley Park Patch, including videos of Dillard's takes on GOP strategy, the death penalty, the recent 67-percent income tax hike and more.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Group co-chairs Tom Dockweiler and Alex Bosh stress the importance of Homewood School District 153's proposed tax referendum.
Citizens for Homewood Schools, an organization created in support of Homewood School District 153's proposed tax referendum, has been hastily working to ensure the tax hike passes on election day. Co-chairs Tom Dockweiler and Alex Bosch made an appearance at Monday night's School Board meeting and addressed both the Board of Education and attendees, emphasizing the importance of the referendum. Dockweiler warns that if the referendum does not pass, "the quality of education in Homewood is going to slip." Watch our video of last night's presentation to learn more.
Sixteen teachers and 10 others could lose their jobs if the $7.5 million referendum question is rejected, according to the district's contingency plan.
Homewood School District 153's Personnel and Finance and Property Committees have drawn up a contingency plan to address the course of action to be taken if the requested $7.5 million tax hike referendum fails. The plan was presented at Monday night's Board of Education meeting. The district will cut 26 positions, including 16 certified teaching positions, if voters don't pass the tax hike. In addition, every non-tenured faculty member will receive non-renewal notices and every non-certified assistant with fewer than four years of service will receive reduction-in-force notices, according to a district press release. “(It was) one of the most difficult meetings that I’ve … had to be a part of,” said Board Member and Personnel Chair Gregory…
Friday, January 28, 2011
School District 153 held a special PTA meeting Thursday night to discuss and build support for the proposed tax referendum.
Homewood School District 153 held a special PTA meeting Thursday night to explain why a tax referendum will be put on the April 5 ballot and to rally support for its passage. District 153 PTA President Kim O’Lone began the meeting and established the tone of the evening. “We’re going to consider some really important issues,” O’Lone said. District 153 Supt. Dale Mitchell then took the floor and emphasized the importance of the district’s mission. “We are blue-ribbon quality school district,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got … Golden Apple winners in the district. The staff shines every day within (our) blue-ribbon quality … schools.” District 153 School Board President Shelly Marks followed Mitchell and expressed her consideration for the 80 …
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Necessity? Abomination? Your neighbors in Homewood and Flossmoor share their feelings on the recently passed 66 percent state income tax increase.
Most state representatives and senators from Homewood and Flossmoor voted in favor of a 66 percent increase on state income tax, which was approved by Illinois legislators Wednesday. The only exceptions were State Sen. James T. Meeks, D-15th District, who voted against it, and State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-29th District, who did not vote on the bill, according to Illinois General Assembly documents. Rates would go from 3 percent to 5 percent for individuals. For a family of four making $40,000, that would amount to an extra $800 paid to the state every year. The tax increases, effective immediately, are purported to last only four years before reverting back to prior levels. Money from the added tax revenue will also be used to pay off the …
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
At 1 a.m., paramedics took the state lawmaker from the legislature to the hospital but he's doing fine now.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
State Rep. David Miller (D-29th), whose district includes parts of Homewood, collapsed early this morning during the Senate debate over tax hikes and was taken to the hospital. State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-41st) was giving a speech at the time. CapitolFax blogger Rich Miller reported on his blog: * 1:02 am - Rep David Miller collapsed onto the floor of the Senate chambers tonight during debate on the tax bill. Witnesses say he is conscious. Paramedics have arrived. * 1:09 am - Rep. Miller was taken out of the building by paramedics. He appeared to be conversing with them and was wearing a neck brace. He fell very hard, causing a loud thump. * 2:18 am - From a friend of David’s… Saw your post on the blog. Here at St. John’s with Miller. …
Kim
10:11 am on Friday, April 8, 2011
I voted for the increase and I don't have children. I'm so tired of people being selfish. I think the kids are worth it & the property value is just a bonus. more ›