CHICAGO HEIGHTS
Movie theater tax break on track
The City Council this week approved a 10-year extension of a 50 percent property tax rebate for Marcus Theaters on Hilltop Avenue.
The measure has already been approved by other taxing districts, such as Bloom Township, Prairie State College and the local high school and elementary school districts, according to T. J. Somer, the city attorney who also acts as township supervisor.
Without the extended rebate, the theater’s property tax burden would jump from about $500,000 to $850,000 a year, “which would probably cause them to go out of business,” Somer said.
The theater opened in the village in 1998 and enjoyed a 100 percent property tax rebate in its first five years. Then, the rebate reduced to 50 percent and would have expired in the 2008 tax year without the extension.
Ald. Joseph Faso, in whose ward the theater is located, said it’s important to help the business out during these tough economic times. The rebate now must be approved by the county before it takes effect, Faso said.
— Patrick Ferrell
JOLIET
Jackhammers, city talk rent, repairs
City Council members want to talk with the Joliet Jackhammers about unpaid rent.
The Jackhammers owe about $270,000 in rent from this season and last year for use of the stadium, which the city built at a cost of about $27 million. The Jackhammers, which pay about $200,000 a year for rent, have been using the stadium since their first season in 2002.
City Manager Tom Thanas, who has met with Jackhammers officials, said at this week’s City Council meeting that the rent dispute centers in part on repairs the Jackhammers say are needed at the stadium. Thanas noted the city has offered rent credits in lieu of the club making repairs, but no repairs have been made to date.
“I want to see what the council can do to get things moving,” said Councilman Joe Shetina, who requested the meeting between Jackhammers officials and council members.
— Alicia Fabbre
PALOS HILLS
College parking lot readies for fall term
A makeshift parking lot has been built at South 86th Avenue and West 109th Street across from Moraine Valley Community College’s campus to handle expected parking overflow when the fall semester begins Monday.
Trustee Sandra Wagner said at this week’s district meeting that she is concerned about safety because students who park in the unpaved stone lot could “run across” 86th Avenue.
“A crosswalk has been put in and reduced speed limits will be in effect,” said Vice President of Administrative Services Andy Duren. “Also, a patrol car will be there with flashing lights.”
College President Vernon Crawley said fall enrollment is expected to increase 5 percent, creating the need for more parking. The temporary lot can hold about 250 vehicles.
“We’ve invested quite a bit of money in it,” Duren said. “But there have been complaints from neighbors who think it doesn’t look good. But the truth is we are just running out of space so we need it.”
— Jeff Borgardt
ORLAND PARK
Video gambling decision postponed
The Village Board this week postponed a vote on whether to allow video gambling at bars and restaurants until the Illinois Gaming Board finishes setting rules and regulations for the gambling machines.
“I’m uncomfortable with it,” Mayor Daniel McLaughlin said of allowing the machines, “but I’m willing to step back until we see what happens.”
State lawmakers approved legislation allowing video gambling as a way to raise revenues for a $31 billion public works program, but it is likely to be a year before all rules and procedures are in place for this latest form of legalized gambling in Illinois.
Country Club Hills recently voted to ban video gambling despite the revenues the machines could generate for the village. Under the legislation, individual communities can choose to opt out of video gambling.
— Carmen Greco Jr.
TINLEY PARK
Village’s borders mark recovery zone
In a bid to capture federal stimulus money beyond what is distributed by Cook and Will Counties, village trustees this week established the municipal corporate limits as the boundary for a separate recovery zone.
The action shouldn’t affect the city’s eligibility within the Cook and Will programs, city officials said.
Before this week’s Village Board meeting, Village Treasurer Brad Bettenhausen told Finance and Economic Development Committee members that establishing Tinley Park as a separate recovery zone also could enable it to approach state legislators “and ask for our own allocations.”
A qualifying recovery zone has significant poverty, unemployment, foreclosure rates or general distress, Bettenhausen said in a memo to trustees.
Under the federal program, money is distributed to states, counties and municipalities that, in turn, funnel it — as tax-exempt economic development bonds and as facilities bonds — within their corporate boundaries.
— Dennis Sullivan
