September 24, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Live at SJO school board, Dec. 17, 2024

Now I am here.

They were apparently in closed for a while. #idkwhattheywerediscussing #itsalllegal

They are discussing facility project updates now.


Here’s what I am here for. TIF!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s Superintendent Brian Brooks’ take.

Brooks asked for a plan. To see what the village is going to do with it so the board can fully support it.
They gave him a letter discussing residential and commercial development. Brooks is saying they didn’t have a hard copy of plan at that time. #stilldont.

“I think residential development would be very positive for any of our three towns,” Brooks said.

“As far as the percentages go, neither side has signed off yet,” Brooks said. “I think it’s fair.”

Brooks said new commercial he asked for 10 percent, but the village countered with one.

“I think the new residential percentage is very fair,” Brooks said. “25 percent is the most common high.”

Brooks saying the communication this time has been 100 percent better than the last time they attempted the TIF.


Crider is saying public support is split at best. Brian agreeing and saying that having the schools on board would be in the village’s best interest. Brian saying he appreciates the village including the schools in the conversation.

Board members discussing how they feel the new commercial percentage is low and the new residential won’t be enough to pay for new students that could possibly come.

Brooks discussing what money from the TIF could be spent on. “If we add 50 to 75 kids we aren’t looking to expand the building. We may need more teachers.” TIF could basically only be spent on building things, not teachers. They would have to move money around, ect.

Les Hoveln brought up that the district wouldn’t want to have to raise taxes on residents because of the TIF.

Brooks saying they were told by the TIF administrator that no one would develop here without a TIF. Monticello and Mahomet aren’t doing TIFs. I can speak on Monticello #piattcountyjournal.

They don’t do a TIF. They have an amazing economic developer that works with FOR the city and they do a grant program for businesses in their downtown. But Monticello isn’t paying developers to build houses there.

Les Hoveln got drafted to serve on a TIF committee between the taxing districts.

Spanish department update: Three different paths in terms of options. 1. We had a promising interview today. If that works out we would have a Spanish teacher. Option 2. Go virtual online. They are discussing what online would look like.

in Schools
Banner
Related Posts

Live at SJO school board, Oct. 24, 2022

October 24, 2022

October 24, 2022

It’s the special education department and me here at the school board. They are doing a curriculum review. (I seriously...

Get to know Dan Thompson

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

Dan Thompson is running for St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board? I was...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Ramsay Arnold Henry Beeler Adam Bello Teagan Blacker Bailey Blakley Nora Buckley Grant Clark Logan Crider...

SJO fourth quarter high honor roll

June 2, 2021

June 2, 2021

Freshmen Allen, LoganBaltzell, OwenBeetz, SamanthaBurkhalter, ChloeDivan, RachelEricksen, SadieFrick, AddisonGetty, GraceGrant, BriannaHaake, LoganHarper, ChloeHarris, RachelHausman, BrodyHueber, AnnabelleJacob, TannerJolley, KyaJones, HeleneKibler, ToriLannert,...

SJO hopeful to keep in-person learning through end of semester

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

Six staff members at St. Joseph-Ogden High School are currently in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 or being a...

Live at St. Joseph-Ogden High School Board

February 27, 2023

February 27, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be. Tonight they are discussing facilities updates. They are discussing a new...

District asks residents to approve referendum

May 27, 2022

May 27, 2022

The St. Joseph CCSD #169 is asking residents to approve a tax increase. On June 28, the district is asking...

2021 SJO honors night

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

On Wednesday St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the winners of scholarships. The winners are listed below. National Merit Scholarship (commendation)...

St. Joseph Middle School announces honor rolls

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

7th gradeHIGH HONORS Logan Allen Owen Baltzell Payton Carter Maya Chahine Rachel Divan Sadie Ericksen Joseph Frasca Addison Frick Logan...

St. Joseph Middle School 5th grade honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Sophia Albrecht Madison Beeler Abigail Bewley Kynleigh Blunier Connor Bowman Naomi Cavanaugh Konlee Christians Henry Cluver...

‘There is no one more deserving of this honor’

June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020

Glenn Fisher loves St. Joseph-Ogden High School. For decades, Fisher’s main concern was that the facilities and sports fields at...

Kids Say….

March 8, 2019

March 8, 2019

Every week we will have five students from an area school answer a question for us. This week it’s five...

SJO honor roll

July 9, 2019

July 9, 2019

Fourth quarter honor rollFreshmenBarton, Jaden Bensyl, Alanna Besson, Ella Burnett, Kennedi Fulk, Mackenzie Hamilton, Alyssa Ingram, Kailyn Klotz, Olivia Lannert,...

Grade school collecting items for food pantry

January 28, 2020

January 28, 2020

The students at St. Joseph Grade School are doing more than celebrating their 100th day of school—they are helping their...

St. Joseph Middle School 7th grade high honor roll

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

FIRST NAME LAST NAME Charlene Barbee Callie Barnett Reid Bewley Brady Blunier Tabbitha Brown Ella Buhs Sophia Chahine Charlotte Christians...

Comments
Leave a Reply