La Salle tax levy has yet to be determined

La Salle’s property tax rate will be increasing.  According to the Newstribune City Treasurer John Duncan IV says he’s still adjusting the numbers and isn’t sure yet how much of an increase to expect.  The levy is expected to increase by at least 2.53 percent but no more than 5.73 percent.

How much a tax increase affects you depends on whether your property value has decreased, as many in La Salle have, making a tax increase minimal.

A public hearing about the tax levy has been scheduled for December 2.

Ottawa among cities wishing for a new enterprise zone

Breaks on sales and property taxes are a couple of the perks companies receive for building in an enterprise zone.  An enterprise zone that includes parts of Ottawa, Marseilles, and Morris will soon expire, prompting action for a new one to be created.

Ottawa Mayor Bob Eschbach told the city council Tuesday night that he thinks they have a strong case for getting it approved. He says the new enterprise zone would be similar to the existing one but wouldn’t include developed land.

The city council placed on file an intergovernmental agreement relating to the enterprise zone.

Ottawa to apply for blight reduction grant

Visit Ottawa and you will see beautiful newer homes and carefully preserved older houses. You will also see the occasional house that looks to be destined for demolition.

Mayor Bob Eschbach is hopeful the city, working along with the local housing authority, will be eligible for a state blight reduction grant.  Eschbach says the local housing authority, Starved Rock Homes would have to take title of at least 10 blighted residential properties and the city would be responsible for much of the work to have the houses demolished or repaired.

The housing authority would receive $1,000 per property for the work and afterwards the city would be able to sell the lots.  Eschbach thinks they could they could have ten to fifteen blighted homes.

The city council Tuesday night placed on file an agreement with Starved Rock Homes.

Kinzinger calls Jerusalem synagogue attack an act of terrorism

Your representative in Congress is among the U.S. officials upset about an attack in a synagogue in Jerusalem. Four rabbis, three American and one British, were killed by two Palestinian men armed with meat cleavers and a gun. The attackers were then killed by police.

Republican Adam Kinzinger says he’s deeply saddened by the news. He says it was not only an act of terrorism but an act of cowardice. He says the United States must continue to stand with Israel against those responsible.

Christmas tree raffle included in Easter Seals fundraiser

Putting up the Christmas tree is either a beloved family tradition or a day of frustration. You can enjoy a collection of Christmas trees without having to unknot a strand of lights Saturday at Celebrations 150 in La Salle.

The Second Annual Easter Seals of La Salle and Bureau Counties Festival of Trees offers something for you and your children. Area businesses will be decorating trees to be raffled off.

There will also be booths with people selling items, an ugly sweater contest and activities for kids.

The Festival of Trees is from 9am-4pm. It’s free to get in. Proceeds benefit Easter Seals, an organization that serves children with special needs.

Share your thoughts about county parks in Ottawa

What would you like to see at a county park? There’s an open house Wednesday at 6:30pm to talk about the future of La Salle County’s parks. Representatives from North Central Illinois Council of Governments will be there to talk about creating development goals.

The open house is at the Governmental Complex on Etna Road in Ottawa.

Mendota alderman resigns

Will you stay put once you retire? An alderman in Mendota is leaving the city council to move out of state. Paul Norris Monday night announced his resignation according to the NewsTribune. He recently retired.

His last day in office is November 30. He is recommending that Audrey McConville be appointed to his seat.