Sycamore Mayor Steve Braser says he loves the community and wants to help keep up the momentum of positive progress for city services and economic growth.  Speaking at this week’s Rotary meeting, the second term mayor recounted several examples of how city improvements to serve citizens and investment by the private sector are making good growth possible.  Braser noted that 25 to 30 new homes are being built each year, saying this shows people want to move to Sycamore.  He added that, at same time, the careful management of public expenses will mean the city can keep taxes stable.

 

Braser made specific reference to two major issues of interest to residents: The city’s new main Fire Station and the proposed reopening of the Kindred long-term care facility by a new physicians group.  Blaser pointed with pride to the recent opening of the new fire station on the city’s south side saying it came in on time and on budget.  The state-of-the-art building includes major upgrades to staff quarters and can accommodate the larger size equipment that could not get into the old downtown station’s parking bays.  Braser says the old fire station cannot be repurposed and will eventually be torn down.  He said the city is pursuing a grant to help with the demolition since it involves special environmental needs such as asbestos removal.  Regarding the former Kindred Hospital, Braser said he is working closely with a new physicians group that wants to again serve long-term care patients at the site.  The new group must have a “certificate of need” from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to reopen.  An initial vote by the board turned down the request, but Braser is assisting with efforts for a rehearing.  If approved, Braser said there would be significant dollars invested in building upgrades and several hundred employees staffing the site.

 

Braser mentioned several business expansion and attraction projects in the works. Several national chains are locating in the city such as Chick-fil-A and Jersey Mike’s.  He also said the Kunes auto dealership is looking at expansion of their auto repair business.  Blaser said these developments are happening because people want to do business in Sycamore and not because the city pays incentives to attract people to town.

DeKalb County Treasurer (and current Club President) Becky Springer gave updated numbers on county tax billings, collections, and investments during this week’s meeting.  Springer also announced that she was chosen as Treasurer of the Year for her region of the Illinois County Treasurer’s Association.  She praised the knowledge of her staff, efficiency through technology, and a strong focus on customer service for the positive recognition of her office.  From a technology standpoint, she noted that the county utilizes property and assessment computer software provided by DEVNET, a national company based in Sycamore.

 

Springer says her office sends out approximately 41,000 property tax bills, but she's quick to point out that the actual levies do not have anything to do with her work.  Tax levies are a product of each taxing body’s revenue request combined with property value as established by the township assessor and county assessor.  Last year her office collected about $302 million in taxes.  Springer noted that there are multiple ways for people to pay their taxes.  These include payments at the Treasurer’s Office in Sycamore, at local banks, on-line payment through the county website, and even credit cards.  Springer also noted that 1,310 county taxpayers have enrolled in paperless billing, saving the county the cost of printing and mailing their bills.

 

Springer said that she has been able to increase interest income on money coming into the county and held until the next distribution date to taxing bodies.  Over the past 30 years, this amount has totaled $36.6 million. $15.9 million of this amount has been earned since she took office in 2021.  Last year, Springer said she earned $4,999,867 in interest, which comes back to help lower taxes.

 

There are several exemptions to ease the tax burden on homeowners, according to Springer. The Homestead Exemption lowers a homeowner's equalized assessed value by $6,000.  The Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption reduces the equalized assessment by $5,000 for those aged 65 or older.  There is also a Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze if household income is under a qualified amount, plus exemptions are available for those with disabilities or veterans.  Details are available through the Treasurer’s website at www.DeKalbCounty.org/departments/treasurer-collector.

July 27, 1901 – American baseball Hall of Fame shortstop and major league manager Leo Durocher is born in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  Controversial and outspoken (nicknamed “Leo the Lip”), his managerial career included the years 1966-1972 with the Chicago Cubs.

 

July 28, 1929 – Jacqueline (Jackie) Bouvier Kennedy Onassis is born in Southampton, New York.  She is credited with refining the role of First Lady into a platform for arts and culture during the presidency of her husband, John Kennedy, and inspired worldwide fashion trends.

 

July 29, 1905 – Dag Hammarskjold, Swedish public servant, second Secretary General of the United Nations (1953-1961), and posthumous Nobel Peace Prize winner, is born in Jonkoping, Sweden.

 

July 30, 1863 – Automotive pioneer Henry Ford is born in Dearborn Township, Michigan.  His perfection of assembly line construction led to his Ford Model T, launched in 1908, becoming affordable to the American middle class.  It would remain in production until 1927 with about 15 million being sold.

 

July 26, 1908 – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is formed as an extension of the Department of Justice.  Its current name is adopted in 1935.   

 

July 30, 1965 – President Lyndon Johnson signs Medicare into law.

 

July 30, 1975 – Former Teamsters Union leader James “Jimmy” Hoffa is last seen outside a restaurant in Detroit, Michigan.  He is declared officially dead in 1982.   

 

July 31, 1790 – The U. S. Patent Office opens and issues the first patent to Samuel Hopkins for a new method of making potash (fertilizer).  The patent is signed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.