PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit #250 Dwight, IL 60420 ** ECRWSS ** Local Customer IT’S FREE! Wednesday, December 23, 2020 Proudly serving the area since 1999 Volume 22 • Number 52 Village of Dwight Approves 2020 Tax Levy December 14 Board of Trustees Review by Madelyn Fogarty In reports to the board, cember 1, 2020 through Febru - [email protected] Mayor Jared Anderson ex - ary 28, 2021 there is no pressed appreciation to the overnight parking allowed on The Dwight Village Board DEA, and all participants, with any Village of Dwight street of Trustees approved the 2020 regard to thTis year’s “Back - fhrom 2 a.m. to 6 a.me. The rule Paper Tax Levy as presented when wards Christmas Parade” event. is also in effect anytime snow - the board met December 14. Anderson commented that it fall reaches two inches or more. With estimated EAVs re - “turned out fantastic.” Jane An - Chief Henson also noted that ceived from Livingston and derson of the DEA noted that there are now signs posted to Grundy Counties totaling 29 homes and businesses along clearly mark the restricted park - $76,588,697, the board ap - with four country properties ing spaces on the south end of proved a tax rate of 1.19 with participated in the contest. An West Main Street – everyone $909,735 as the proposed rev - estimated 225 – 300 vehicles should be aware and park ac - enue amount to be collected came out to parade by and view cordingly. from taxable property within the Christmas displays. To close his comments, corporate limits of the village Village Administrator Kevin Chief Henson gave a shout out subject to taxation for Year McNamara, along with other to the committees for Christ - 2020. village officials and public mas for Kids and Love Boxes, The 2020 Tax Levy Ordi - works, extended thanks to com - and all that helped, noting that nance reflects total receipts and munity member David Boggs 134 deliveries were made in cash, other than the tax levy, of who volunteered his time to Dwight on December 12. $8,902,867 and total expenses paint the pool house at the com - “This is a phenomenal thing of $9,812,602, with the differ - munity swimming pool this that we do here in Dwight,” ence (Levy) being $909,735. fall. said Chief Henson. This represents an increase of McNamara also made note DEA’s Jane Anderson an - roughly $43,200 over the 2019 that help is available for anyone nounced that requests for DEA extension of $866,505. Last needing food assistance during membership renewals are in year’s tax rate was 1.22. this holiday season. Anyone in process. Individual member - In other business, the 2021 need can reach out to the vil - ships are being offered for $60 Illinois Municipal Insurance lage at 815.584.3077. DEA until Christmas. Anderson of - Co-op renewal was approved. spokesperson Jane Anderson fered last minute gift ideas with The 18-member co-op was put also commented that the micro DEA Bucks available for pur - in place when these area mu - pantry is still open and stocked chase. Cat’s Meow ornaments nicipalities joined together five with free items for those in are also available and can be years ago. The renewal reflects need. If you know anyone that purchased at Emling Florist a 20 percent increase largely needs food assistance, Ander - while supplies last. The children of Zion Lutheran Church-Bonfield presented their annual Christmas pageant due to litigations involved with son can be contacted at All members of the board on Sunday, December 20. Zion is on Route 17 just east of Herscher Road. law enforcement, although not the DEA office. were present at the December on the local level. “We don’t want anyone 14 teleconference session in - The board also approved: going hungry during the holi - cluding Mayor Anderson and • payment of bills totaling days,” stated McNamara. Trustees Randy Irvin, Jerry GSW High School District #73 Board Meets $118,127.05. Village Clerk Jill Haacke Curtis, Marla Kinkade, Chuck Gardner-South Wilmington about the one large Junior Eng - rules and that GSW is a great • the November 2020 Trea - noted that the time to drop off Butterbrodt, Jennifer Johnson High School District #73 held lish class and decided to split environment to work in. surer’s Report as presented. petitions for village office is and Justin Eggenberger. its Regular Meeting December that particular class into two Mr. Engelman, Athletic Di - • approved General Obliga - now closed. Opening day for 16. separate classes. That way, rector, reported on the follow - tion Waterworks Bond Tax petitions to be dropped off was This was the final meeting Principal, Mr. John Engel - those struggling students will ing: Abatement Series 2016A Ordi - December 14 with the final day of the 2020 year due to the hol - man, reported on the following: get more one-on-one help. • Momence and Clifton- nance. being December 21. Positions idays. The next regular meeting • Problem Solving Team • One of their regular substi - Central have been added to the • approved a General Obli - opening include village presi - of the Dwight Village Board of Meeting – The team met and tute teachers gave a very nice RVC and will be included start - gation Tax Increment Bond dent, village clerk, and three Trustees will take place at 6:30 reviewed current ineligibility compliment, stating that GSW ing next school year. This was Abatement Series 2016B Ordi - village trustee seats. The Con - p.m., Monday, January 11. lists and discussed how to help students are great kids. The sub official as of the November nance. solidated Election will be held Please check prior for meeting these students. The team spoke said that students follow the (continued on page 11) • approved a General Obli - April 6, 2021. location / meeting access infor - gation Sales Tax Bond Abate - In his report, Chief of Police mation. ment Series 2016C Ordinance. Tim Henson asked anyone who The Dwight Village Board Dwight High School District #230 • a Grundy County Hazard has been a recent victim of un - of Trustees is currently con - Mitigation Resolution as re - employment fraud to please ducting meetings via telecon - quired by the Federal Govern - contact the police department ference calls to help ensure the Approves 2020 Tax Levy ment every five years. and file a report. Henson stated safety and wellbeing of all • a commitment of $35,000 that this situation “needs to be those in attendance and as al - BOE/DEA Contract Approved / December Board Actions to the Dwight Economic Al - taken seriously.” lowed by an edict from Gover - by Madelyn Fogarty With a very strong overall $3,847,971, resulting in a de - liance for the next fiscal year to Chief Henson again re - nor Pritzker. Meetings are open [email protected] financial picture for the DTHS crease of $130,453 (-3.28 per - be paid quarterly. minded residents that from De - to the public. district, including an over $4.5 cent) for the district. The 2019 The Dwight Township High million Education Fund bal - tax levy rate was $2.6957 with School Board of Education ance, last month Board Presi - an extension of $3,978,424. came to an agreement making dent Brian Perschnick Superintendent Dr. Richard way for approval of the 2020 questioned the need to continue Jancek noted that if the final Sing Classroom Aide, Bus Driver tax levy. The BOE met virtu - building reserves and sug - EAV is off of the projection, the ally on December 16. gested a further reduction in rate changes to still deliver that ‘Silent Night’ Hired by Tri-Point Board The estimated total 2020 rates to help ease the burden on amount of money on the exten - The consent agenda was ap - district bookkeeper, was au - EAV for the three counties taxpayers. Meanwhile, some sion. All board members voted Christmas Eve proved as presented at the Tri- thorized to pay any school dis - which make up the Dwight other board members expressed in favor of the motion. The Dwight Ministerial As - Point Schools Board meeting trict bills received December Township High School District a need for caution citing uncer - In other financial business, sociation invites you to join December 16. Also approved 17 and 18, 2020. is projected to be $160,719,418, tainties such as state funding, it was reported that the State of other people of faith by lighting was the current staffing level of Board members went into reflecting an increase of ap - pending teacher negotiations, Illinois currently owes the dis - a candle and singing the first two teachers in the agriculture closed session for 15 minutes. proximately $13 million over local business loss, litigation trict $8,107.19 in mandated verse of “Silent Night” outside department for the 2021-2022 Prior to the 8:06 p.m. ad - last year. Livingston County is concerns, continuing rising categorical payments. your front door on Thursday, school year. journment, it was moved to currently projecting an EAV of costs and pending improve - In other business, contract December 24, at 6:00 p.m. The 2020 Tax Levy Resolu - employ Valerie Conkling as $111,978,720 (5.44 percent in - ment projects. After discussion, agreements between the Board tion, as presented, was ap - classroom aide and Lisa crease), with Grundy County the board came to an agreement of Education and the Dwight “Silent night. Holy night. All proved, along with building Weaver as school bus driver. projecting an EAV of on a reduced levy. Education Association were ap - is calm. All is bright. Round into the school calendar The Board accepted the resig - $30,220,247 (17.66 percent in - Using the 2020 rate setting proved.