Author: John Kraft & Kirk Allen

16 Mar Leasehold Real Estate Taxes for Dummies –

Posted at 09:48h in Gary Patterson, Jeff Slifer, Lynn Williams, Nichole Kroncke, Shelby County, Shelbyville by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 1 Comment

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Shelby County, IL. (ECWd) - The Property Tax Code is clear: Leaseholders are responsible for paying the real estate taxes on property they lease from an entity (local government) that is otherwise tax-exempt. We covered real estate taxes on exempted property in a previous article (here). See Shelby...

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11 Mar Teachers Seek TRO Against CPS #299 re: Testing/Vaccination Requirements –

Posted at 09:45h in feature by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 0 Comments

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Chicago (ECWd) - Several educators in the Chicago Public School District #299 have filed for a Temporary Restraining Order to prohibit the school district from requiring testing or vaccinations without due process. Tom DeVore is their attorney. From the Court filing: The Plaintiffs have a right to insist...

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10 Mar County Farm Bill Subject Hearing Video –

Posted at 13:46h in feature by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 1 Comment

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Springfield, IL. (ECWd) - This morning, there was a legislative committee hearing of subject matter on the Farm Bill which is attempting to change the Counties Code to permit leasing of county farmland, by claiming lease revenue is a public purpose. This is merely the recorded Hearing;...

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10 Mar Village of Lisle Paid $23K In FOIA Lawsuit Settlement –

Posted at 09:51h in feature by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 6 Comments

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Lisle, IL. (ECWd) - Lisle Economic Development Partnership ('LEDP'), according to Lisle records, refused to give public records to the Village of Lisle, which caused the village to violate the Freedom of Information Act. From the settlement agreement: In July and September 2021, Mr. Christopher Bielat submitted Freedom...

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09 Mar Edgar County Board Prohibits Wacky Weed Dispensaries –

Posted at 11:27h in feature by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 0 Comments

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Edgar County, IL. (ECWd) - During this morning's Edgar County Board meeting, the board voted on and approved an Ordinance prohibiting cannabis dispensaries, growing, etc., in all unincorporated areas of the county. Video of the meeting is HERE. ...

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07 Mar Windsor’s illegal meeting without quorum to appoint Mayor, pay employees –

Posted at 09:49h in feature, Shelby County, Windsor by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 6 Comments

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Windsor, IL. (ECWd) - On February 28, 2022, the City of Windsor held a meeting we believe was in violation of the Open Meetings Act ("OMA"), even if their attorney was present and telling them it complied with the Act. Short version: Windsor's 5-member board ("corporate authority") consists...

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04 Mar Sheriff received improper severance pay for negotiated retirement –

Posted at 14:24h in feature by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 1 Comment

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Livingston County, IL. (ECWd) - The Livingston County Board negotiated the "retirement" of their now-former Sheriff Tony O. Childress, and approved the Retirement Agreement during the February 24, 2022, Livingston County Board meeting. See Item V(8)(a) of the meeting agenda. Additionally, from looking at the March 7,...

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02 Mar Madigan Arraignment Set For March 9, 2022; Bail of $10K Suggested –

Posted at 20:35h in feature by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 6 Comments

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CHICAGO (ECWd) - The Docket entry for United States v Michael J. Madigan indicates that both Madigan and McClain will be arraigned on March 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. A separate entry suggests bail of $10K and both Defendants be permitted to sign own recognizance bond. ***As a...

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02 Mar Mike Madigan Federally Indicted; 22 Counts –

Posted at 17:27h in feature by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 7 Comments

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CHICAGO, IL. (ECWd) - Northern District of Illinois just released a 22-Count Federal Indictment of former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Michael Madigan and Michael McLain. PRESS RELEASE: Former Illinois Speaker of the House Indicted on Federal Racketeering and Bribery Charges in Connection With Alleged Corruption...

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02 Mar School District abdicates all of its powers and duties to Superintendent –

Posted at 08:34h in feature by John Kraft & Kirk Allen 9 Comments

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Macomb, IL. (ECWd) - Last night we learned the Macomb Community Unit School District #185 has suspended all of the Board of Education's policies, regulations, rules, or any other authority currently granted to the Board governing all school operations and has "transferred" and delegated all of...

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