Richmond/Spring Grove Village Articles

by Greg Cryns

At the urging of President Laurie Olson, Richmond board trustees voted 4-0 to withdraw the downtown TIF proposal.  Trustee Roy Wulffen was absent and trustee Bruce Hunter had much earlier recused himself from voting.

Olson and Village Attorney David McArdle were obviously upset that the TIF needed to be withdrawn.  Olson mentioned that the sewer lines would need to be replaced and sidewalks needed extensive repairs.

In audience comments before the vote was taken, Denise Beninato, who owns two properties inside the TIF boundary, requested that the board vote for the TIF saying there were “many people” in the village who wanted a TIF in place. “They may be, but their voices are very quiet,” said McArdle.

Part of the TIF process is to give the public a chance to express their opinions and concerns. Approximately 300 people attended from both Richmond and Spring Grove showed up at that meeting a few weeks ago following an all out effort by the school districts to head off a TIF action. The schools sent out a letter costing taxpayers over $3500. The letter said that a TIF would raise the property taxes dramatically based on calculations provided by school board member Susan Maurer who has a math background.

Olson put out a challenge to the people of Richmond to find alternatives to much needed repairs and refurbishing of the downtown area. Olson told the all Richmond citizens including the nay-sayers to “get involved” in finding financial sources. “Be part of the process,” said Olson. The history of Richmond process shows that people do not attend village board meetings until specific hot buttons are pushed.

Cindy Walleck heads up the Economic Development Committee (EDC). She has been very active in reviving the downtown area since she took office as a trustee. Walleck wants to form a “redevelopment committee” made up of Richmond citizens. She will be looking for volunteers to help out.

Towns in McHenry County, Illinois
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Algonquin Cary Crystal Lake Harvard Hebron Huntley Johnsburg
Mchenry Marengo Richmond Spring Grove Woodstock Wonder Lake