October 30, 2025 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

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...

Opening address by Indira Robinson

May 18, 2021

May 18, 2021

Hello, it is my pleasure to be able to welcome staff, family, and friends to the Saint Joseph-Ogden class of...

‘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...

SJO FFA holds petting zoo

February 21, 2019

February 21, 2019

An annual tradition is taking place at St. Joseph-Ogden High School today—the SJO FFA petting zoo to celebrate National FFA...

‘I am proud of all of us’ by Kristen Costa

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

To the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Class of 2020, when I began writing this speech, I didn’t even know where...

Sign ‘em up: SJO, Wagners help recognize high school seniors during pandemic

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden High School senior Jordan Stiverson received a surprise when he looked out his window on Tuesday. SJO Principal...

Live at SJO School Board

June 27, 2022

June 27, 2022

I am the only one in the audience. The House on Main Street is coming down this week or next....

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)...

SJO Fall Athletic Awards

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

CROSS COUNTRY-BOYS MOST VALUABLE-2019 – Brandon Mattsey MOST IMPROVED – 2019 – Logan Wolfersberger TIM MIES EFFORT AWARD-2019- Charlie Mabry...

5 Questions with Cohen Sands

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

We asked the members of the Heritage Bass Chorus five questions. Here are Cohen Sands answers. What does it mean...

Live at SJO school board, April 22, 2024

April 22, 2024

April 22, 2024

I am at SJO school board so you don’t have to be. Emily Williams has resigned as dance coach after...

St. Joseph Middle School 8th grade high honor roll

April 7, 2022

April 7, 2022

ST. JOSEPH MIDDLE SCHOOL —  3rd Quarter, 2021-2022 8th Grade High Honor Roll Ames, Trevor Barrowman, Lexie Beyers, Kaitlyn Bird,...

We the People holding one final fundraiser

April 2, 2019

April 2, 2019

There is one final chance to help the St. Joseph-Ogden We the People Civics Team fund their trip to Nationals...

Daniels named Fine Arts Student of the Month

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

Emmy Daniels loves to create beautiful music. That’s why she loves chorus. “It is an opportunity to come together and...

Comments
Leave a Reply