Progress of the Richmond IL TIF

06/15/06: Village of Richmond IL Downtown Redevelopment Project Area
Tax Increment Finance Program Eligibility Report Dated: May 2006 Referred to by the village as "The TIF Study," it is available here as a pdf for public reading.

At the Village of Richmond IL Regular Board Meeting of Thursday June 15, 2006, 6:30pm, there was a presentation of The Downtown Richmond Redevelopment/TIF study by Beth Ruyle of Ehlers & Associates. Following their agenda, the Village board voted to proceed with the next stage of the Downtown TIF study after the presentation.

This was followed by the approval of an annexation agreement that will give a developer 15% of the funds that come from the TIF district. We do not know how the exact details of that agreement are worded.

On Monday, June 12 we were able to obtain a map (now the 2nd of 3) of the proposed redevelopment area as it was published on page 26 Of the Richmond IL TIF Eligibility Report. The map is a basic platt map of the Village with the boundaries of the area to be included for redevelopment marked in yellow. Much of the map includes properties where redevelopment can mean nothing else except demolition. Because it was a public document and not subject to the copyright laws we re-titled that map and added what we know to be true. We did not alter the boundaries as indicated on that map by Ehlers & Associates. As a courtesy to Ehlers & Associates we have removed their logo from the map we published.Our map, boundaries unaltered, landmarks indicated for clarityand text alerting the public of the stark reality of TIF

Please be advised: during the board meeting of June 15 the Village Attorney, Mr. McArdle stated that the public should ignore the map we distributed because it was political. A citizen, who was known to be distributing the map, was initially allowed by Beth Ruyle to pose a question during a public comment portion of that meeting. Mr. McArdle quickly interrupted him, telling the audience that this person knew nothing of the law based on the fact that he had distributed the map. Emotions seem to be driving our Village attorney, not logic and first amendment rights. Original map as shown in TIF StudyRichmond's TIF letter to residents.

Below it a map indicating the "suggested" TIF District as originally reported in the Northwest Herald,This would be the "old TIF map" or the 1st map, comparison with the 2nd and 3rd maps will show the ever expanding Richmond TIF district swallowing even a larger percentage of the Village of Richmond IL. That's how they do it, first they get the public used to the idea, then they begin to expand the boundaries quietly while telling every one there will be public participation.

8/29/06:  The Village Board has voted to establish the "Interested Parties Registry" for the Richmond IL TIF District. And at the same time expand the Richmond IL TIF district.Richmond IL Village Board Minutes 8/17/2006 see new business (b) page2   From the Richmond IL Village Administrators comments, board meeting minutes dated 8/3/06: Information has been received that High School District 157 has passed a resolution opposing a TIF District. District 2 however has agreed to post phone the decision for at least 30 days.Richmond IL Village Board Minutes 8/3/06, see Administrator's comments, page 2Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157 Regular Board Meeting minutes 7/20/06 see bottom of page 4

Note: minutes for a specific board meeting are no approved and released by the board until at least the following board meeting (two weeks). It is also possible for the those (amended) minutes to not be approved until the next board meeting after that and so on). So our information is not as timely as we would like.

Opinion 10/22/06:  I find it odd that in spite of the Village of Richmond IL's claim of openness and public participation that they would expand the district at the same time that they start the interested parties registry. Anyone who would want to be on that list would certainly be informed if the Richmond IL TIF District were expanded after the registry was started. However, apparently if the that is done at the same time they don't have to tell any one about the expansion. This means the village, in spite of all their public stance of "it is under consideration", is proceeding with the Richmond IL TIF. Legally there should be no more secrets. So if you want to know what the village thinks you should know is going on with the Richmond IL TIF, get your name on that registry. Richmond Village Hall: 815 678 4040. If you think you should be on this list and receive information about the Richmond IL TIF, and are being excluded please pose your concerns to the IL Attorney General, Lisa Madigan's office:Submit Questions to the Office of the Illinois Attorney General