By Jerry Nowicki – Stakeholders from northern Illinois added to the State’s list of capital funding requests Monday when lawmakers from both sides of the aisle acknowledged more revenue would be necessary to get the State’s infrastructure back in working order. “The need is great; the revenue is problematic,” said...
By Amy Roth – The Pride Parade and Festival in Aurora is back on again less than a week after its cancelation. Mayor Richard Irvin of Aurora announced Tuesday afternoon standing next to Chuck Adams, executive director of community advocacy group Indivisible Aurora, organizer of the event. The announcement came...
The North Aurora community emergency response team (CERT) receives applause and appreciation at the Village Board meeting Monday after Village president Dale Berman read a proclamation declaring April Volunteer Appreciation Month in North Aurora. Chief David Fisher said in 2018 2,067 hours were volunteered, almost double from the 1,131 in...
“If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street, “If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat. “If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat, “If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet. “Don’t ask me what I want it for “If you don’t want to pay...
By Grant Morgan – A second bill raising the minimum annual salary for Illinois teachers to $40,000 found legislative success last week. Senate Bill 10, sponsored by senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), passed on a 45-11 vote Thursday, April 11. It would provide a five-year ramp to increasing Illinois’ minimum...
Aurora city government is seeking a riverboat grant to develop the former Fox Valley Park District administrative offices, 712 S. River Street, into a center for non-profits. Aldermen heard a report on the “Thrive Collaborative Center” concept during its Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, April 2 at City Hall....
“Pity the nation oh pity the people who allow their rights to erode and their freedoms to be washed away…” —Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet War-spending is bankrupting America. Our Nation is being preyed upon by a military industrial complex that is propped up by war profiteers, corrupt politicians, and foreign governments....
The Aurora City Council March 5 Committee of the Whole meeting at City Hall included plans for Route 59 commercial corridor building, road resurfacing, and firefighters’ ballistic vests. • Plans for Route 59, old West Aurora building discussed. A Route 59 corridor plan that lays out a new look and...
By Jason Crane – The North Aurora government’s Committee of the Whole meeting Monday included a discussion about prevailing wage for the Town Center Economic Incentive Agreement. Village documents show Preferred Real Estate, owners of the inline shopping center between Target and J.C. Penney in North Aurora Towne Centre, have...
Mark Armstrong, Kane County supervisor of assessments, shares tax tips Monday with the Rotary Club of Aurora at the Roundhouse. Armstrong has been a State-certified general real estate appraiser since 1993, and a certified Illinois assessing officer since 1994. Armstrong recently received the 2018 Marshall Theroux Memorial Award which is...
Michael Pegues, chief information officer for the city of Aurora government, expresses the need to establish a Smart City Advisory Council at the Aurora City Council meeting Tuesday. City officials hope to utilize a strategic plan for technology. The plan can be viewed at SmartAurora.com. Unanimously approved were three agreements...
The Oswego Senior Center, 156 E. Washington Street, Oswego, VITA specialists are taking appointments for free tax filing for seniors 60 years or older, persons with disabilities and students. Income must be below $55,000 annually. Participants must bring the following to your appointment: Proof of identification (photo ID); Social Security...
Eighty percent of the states in America have a fair, graduated, rate income tax, and Illinois should, too, according to Jean Pierce. This system would tax higher income levels at a higher rate than lower income levels. Pierce will present the case for a fair tax at 7 p.m. Thursday,...
Naperville Park District will provide free tax filing assistance to seniors by appointment only February 4 through April 10. Volunteers trained through the AARP Tax-Aide program will be available to meet with individuals from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center. Those...
Between 2014 and 2019, the Santori Public Library of Aurora’s budget rose three times faster than the overall budget. A comparison of the Aurora Library Budget from 2014, the last year of the Old Main Library, and 2019, with the new Santori Library, shows that the costs of the Santori...
The Aurora City Council unanimously approved the ordinance Tuesday for levying the City’s 2018 tax levy, which shows an overall two percent increase, according to Martin Lyons, the city government’s finance director. The annual property tax levy provides a major share of Aurora’s revenue, approximately 23% of the revenue for...
By Barb Nadeau – One of the best ways to see your tax dollars at work is from the back seat of a handicapped accessible bus through Kendall Area Transit, or the Ride in Kane Program. Your public para-transit programs offer more than just mobility to the folks who ride....
By Jason Crane – Aldermen for the city of Aurora government voted unanimously to pass the $434 Million budget while aldermen voted 8-3 against giving a tax rebate to Aurora residential property owners at the Aurora City Council meeting Tuesday. Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, was hoping to use $2...
Eric Peterman, CEO of GRNE Solar, answers questions at the Montgomery Village Board meeting Monday. GRNE Solar is requesting approval for a special use permit to install solar panels on approximately 43 acres at 800 S. River Street. The power would be for the Fox Metro Reclamation District and could...
North Aurora resident Dave Smith was one of two speakers asking North Aurora officials questions at the North Aurora Village Board meeting Monday. Smith inquired about the $5,000 tax levy increase for the 92 homes in the Oaks Special Service area #7 in North Aurora. The money is set to...
