Village Board Bits: Mayor Calls State Plans to Take Municipal Money 'Insane'

The village joined other municipalities around the state Monday in calling on the state government to protect local revenues instead of reducing the money the local end gets from the state.

"We work very hard to tighten our belts," Mayor Tim Baldermann said. "The police deparment, the streets department, Village Hall are down personnel. We still have to provide services. Now they're going to balance the budget on the backs of the taxpayers? Unacceptable. ... That's insane."

The state is facing about a $13 billion budget deficit, and some proposals to reduce that include cutting state-collected revenue for local governments, including one such plan that would take an additionall $300 million in income tax from municipalities.

In New Lenox, that could mean a revenue loss of about $562,877. The Illinois Municipal League asked local governments to pass resolutions opposing such plans and send the resolutions to their state representatives.

"Those basic core services are just critical," outgoing Village Administrator Russ Loebe said. "That's the street plow clearing the road. That's the police coming to your door when you need help."

More from the meeting

Dance Studios Could Go in Industrial

The Village Board approved an ordinance Monday night that would allow dance studios to apply for special use zoning and operate in industrial parks. This new opportunity for dance studios would join other such businesses that operated in industrial parks, which tend to have much lower rent than commercially zoned areas and also provide more space to the places that need it.

Library Celebrate 75 Years in Town

Director Kate Hall and member of the New Lenox Public Library District board were recognized at the meeting to mark the 75th anniversary of the library's opening in the village. The library was founded in 1936 by the Women's Club at Haven School, and later spent time in Bruns Barber Shop, the Hauck Building, Church Street and the Lions Den on Cedar Road.

The library team also promoted its Geek the Library campaign.