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>>> WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM. I AM H. WAYNE WILSON.
I AM H. WAYNE WILSON. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
US. FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR WE WILL
FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT A SALES TAX
BE TALKING ABOUT A SALES TAX REFERENDUM. THE ONE WE ARE
REFERENDUM. THE ONE WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT SPECIFICALLY
GOING TO TALK ABOUT SPECIFICALLY IS IN McLEAN COUNTY.
IS IN McLEAN COUNTY. BUT THOSE OF YOU IN PEORIA, AND
BUT THOSE OF YOU IN PEORIA, AND DEWITT COUNTY AND OTHERS MAY
DEWITT COUNTY AND OTHERS MAY WANT TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION
WANT TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION BECAUSE YOU WILL BE FACING THE
BECAUSE YOU WILL BE FACING THE SAME QUESTION IN YOUR COUNTY IN
SAME QUESTION IN YOUR COUNTY IN THE SPRING PRIMARY.
THE SPRING PRIMARY. IT CONCERNS CONSTRUCTION OF
IT CONCERNS CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL FACILITIES.
SCHOOL FACILITIES. IT IS CALLED THE COUNTY SCHOOL
IT IS CALLED THE COUNTY SCHOOL FACILITY OCCUPATION TAX LAW
FACILITY OCCUPATION TAX LAW WHICH ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO
WHICH ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO IMPLEMENT IN QUARTER CENT
IMPLEMENT IN QUARTER CENT INCREMENTS A 1%, UP TO 1% SALES
INCREMENTS A 1%, UP TO 1% SALES TAX INCREASE TO COVER
TAX INCREASE TO COVER CONSTRUCTION AND THAT INCLUDES
CONSTRUCTION AND THAT INCLUDES OLD CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS NEW
OLD CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS NEW CONSTRUCTION.
CONSTRUCTION. WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THAT
WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THAT WITH SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE TWO
WITH SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE TWO LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN
LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN McLEAN COUNTY.
McLEAN COUNTY. LET ME FIRST INTRODUCE DR. BARRY
LET ME FIRST INTRODUCE DR. BARRY REILLY.
REILLY. DR. REILLY IS THE SUPERINTENDENT
DR. REILLY IS THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR DISTRICT 87 SCHOOLS WHICH IS
FOR DISTRICT 87 SCHOOLS WHICH IS BLOOMINGTON BASICALLY.
BLOOMINGTON BASICALLY. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. >>AND ACROSS THE TABLE IS
>>AND ACROSS THE TABLE IS DR. GARY NIEHAUS.
DR. GARY NIEHAUS. DR. NIEHAUS IS SUPERINTENDENT
DR. NIEHAUS IS SUPERINTENDENT FOR UNIT 5 WHICH IS NORMAL AND
FOR UNIT 5 WHICH IS NORMAL AND OUT LYING COMMUNITIES.
OUT LYING COMMUNITIES. >>THAT'S CORRECT.
>>THAT'S CORRECT. >>AND WITH THAT, LET ME TURN TO
>>AND WITH THAT, LET ME TURN TO YOU, DR. REILLY AND JUST WHAT IS
YOU, DR. REILLY AND JUST WHAT IS THE BASIC CONCEPT HERE FOR YOUR
THE BASIC CONCEPT HERE FOR YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT?
SCHOOL DISTRICT? WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO
WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH?
ACCOMPLISH? >> WELL, BLOOMINGTON SCHOOLS,
>> WELL, BLOOMINGTON SCHOOLS, LIKE A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS
LIKE A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE STATE
IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, HAVE ONGOING
OF ILLINOIS, HAVE ONGOING FACILITY NEEDS.
FACILITY NEEDS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW WE FUND
WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW WE FUND THOSE ONGOING NEEDS, THOSE ARE
THOSE ONGOING NEEDS, THOSE ARE DONE BY PROPERTY TAX OWNERS.
DONE BY PROPERTY TAX OWNERS. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT WORK
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT WORK IS PAID FOR IN THAT WAY.
IS PAID FOR IN THAT WAY. COUNTY WIDE SALES TAX PROVIDES
COUNTY WIDE SALES TAX PROVIDES ANOTHER OPTION TO HAVE MONEY PAY
ANOTHER OPTION TO HAVE MONEY PAY FOR BY PEOPLE WHO NOT ONLY LIVE
FOR BY PEOPLE WHO NOT ONLY LIVE IN THE COUNTY, BUT WHO SPEND
IN THE COUNTY, BUT WHO SPEND MONEY IN THE COUNTY.
MONEY IN THE COUNTY. THIS IS ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE
THIS IS ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE AT A TIME WHEN REVENUES ARE HARD
AT A TIME WHEN REVENUES ARE HARD TO COME BY FOR LOCAL SCHOOL
TO COME BY FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING
DISTRICTS BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING LESS MONEY AT THE LOCAL, STATE,
LESS MONEY AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
AND FEDERAL LEVEL. SO IN WAYS TO SEEK OUT FUNDING
SO IN WAYS TO SEEK OUT FUNDING SOURCES OR ADDITIONAL REVENUES,
SOURCES OR ADDITIONAL REVENUES, THIS IS ONE WAY THAT WE CAN DO
THIS IS ONE WAY THAT WE CAN DO THAT AT A TIME WHERE ALL OF US
THAT AT A TIME WHERE ALL OF US ARE REDUCING EXPENSES ACROSS THE
ARE REDUCING EXPENSES ACROSS THE BOARD AND IT IS TOUGH TO KEEP UP
BOARD AND IT IS TOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THOSE DROP IN REVENUES.
WITH THOSE DROP IN REVENUES. >>SO WE CAN CLARIFY THIS RIGHT
>>SO WE CAN CLARIFY THIS RIGHT FROM THE VERY START, THIS IS
FROM THE VERY START, THIS IS ONLY FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS,
ONLY FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, IS THAT CORRECT.
IS THAT CORRECT. >>ONLY FOR BUILDINGS AND
>>ONLY FOR BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.
FACILITIES. IT IS A VERY, VERY NARROW SCOPE.
IT IS A VERY, VERY NARROW SCOPE. I THINK IT WAS DESIGNED THAT
I THINK IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY, AND WE ARE HAPPY WITH IT
WAY, AND WE ARE HAPPY WITH IT BEING THAT WAY ACTUALLY.
BEING THAT WAY ACTUALLY. >> IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE
>> IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION FUND.
TRANSPORTATION FUND. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE
IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE EDUCATION FUND, AND THAT, OF
EDUCATION FUND, AND THAT, OF COURSE, IS THE FUND THAT HAS THE
COURSE, IS THE FUND THAT HAS THE BIGGEST CHUNK OF EXPENSE.
BIGGEST CHUNK OF EXPENSE. >>THAT'S VERY TRUE, AND IT
>>THAT'S VERY TRUE, AND IT REALLY DOES -- VERY NARROW IN
REALLY DOES -- VERY NARROW IN SCOPE, AND IT IS EXACTLY WHAT
SCOPE, AND IT IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR -- I THINK THE LEGISLATURE
OUR -- I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WANTED, P I THINK IT IS WHAT WE
WANTED, P I THINK IT IS WHAT WE NEEDED.
NEEDED. THINK IT ADDS TO THIS PIECE
THINK IT ADDS TO THIS PIECE BARRY JUST TALKED ABOUT.
BARRY JUST TALKED ABOUT. IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WE DO
IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WE DO HAVE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION GRANTS.
HAVE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION GRANTS. THOSE ARE NOW JUST COMING UP.
THOSE ARE NOW JUST COMING UP. WE ARE STARTING TO PAY FOR THE
WE ARE STARTING TO PAY FOR THE 2014.
2014. FOR THE 2004.
FOR THE 2004. COMMUNITY HAS NEEDS, WAITING TEN
COMMUNITY HAS NEEDS, WAITING TEN YEARS IS NOT A POSSIBILITY.
YEARS IS NOT A POSSIBILITY. UNIT 5 AND 87, AND McLEAN
UNIT 5 AND 87, AND McLEAN SCHOOLS, WE LIKE TO KEEP UP WITH
SCHOOLS, WE LIKE TO KEEP UP WITH THAT ON A YEAR TO YEAR BASIS AND
THAT ON A YEAR TO YEAR BASIS AND MAKE IT A REVENUE STREAM WE CAN
MAKE IT A REVENUE STREAM WE CAN KEEP UP WITH OUR MAINTENANCE,
KEEP UP WITH OUR MAINTENANCE, OUR FACILITIES, REPAIRS, OUR
OUR FACILITIES, REPAIRS, OUR NEEDS, AND WE GO LONG VERSUS
NEEDS, AND WE GO LONG VERSUS RELYING ON A STATE OR
RELYING ON A STATE OR MAINTENANCE GRANT FROM THE
MAINTENANCE GRANT FROM THE STATE.
STATE. AGAIN, THOSE ARE NOT CONSISTENT,
AGAIN, THOSE ARE NOT CONSISTENT, AND THEY AREN'T CONSISTENT
AND THEY AREN'T CONSISTENT REVENUES FOR US.
REVENUES FOR US. >>IS THAT, ALONG THE SAME LINE
>>IS THAT, ALONG THE SAME LINE OF THOUGHT, IS THAT THE
OF THOUGHT, IS THAT THE REASONING BEHIND NOT GOING TO A
REASONING BEHIND NOT GOING TO A REFERENDUM FOR A PROPERTY TAX
REFERENDUM FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
INCREASE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS OR FIXING UP ROOFS OR
SCHOOLS OR FIXING UP ROOFS OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE?
THINGS OF THAT NATURE? >> CERTAINLY.
>> CERTAINLY. I THINK WHEN YOU TALK TO
I THINK WHEN YOU TALK TO INDIVIDUALS ANYWHERE IN THIS
INDIVIDUALS ANYWHERE IN THIS STATE, AND YOU CAN DO THAT
STATE, AND YOU CAN DO THAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS WELL, I
ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS WELL, I THINK PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE FED UP
THINK PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE FED UP WITH PROPERTY TAXES, HOW THEY
WITH PROPERTY TAXES, HOW THEY KEEP ESCALATING.
KEEP ESCALATING. AND REALLY, THAT'S THE LOCAL
AND REALLY, THAT'S THE LOCAL SOURCE, VAST MAJORITY OF WHERE
SOURCE, VAST MAJORITY OF WHERE OUR MONEY COMES FROM IS FROM
OUR MONEY COMES FROM IS FROM THOSE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES.
THOSE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES. SO EVERYBODY, I AM A PROPERTY
SO EVERYBODY, I AM A PROPERTY TAX PAY OR.
TAX PAY OR. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE AS WELL.
I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE AS WELL. EVERY YEAR, THAT JUST SEEMS TO
EVERY YEAR, THAT JUST SEEMS TO INCREASE AND INCREASE.
INCREASE AND INCREASE. A LOT OF THAT MONEY GOES TO THE
A LOT OF THAT MONEY GOES TO THE SCHOOLS.
SCHOOLS. THAT'S BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING
THAT'S BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING LESS MONEY FROM THE STATE, THE
LESS MONEY FROM THE STATE, THE FEDS, AND, AGAIN, THIS IS A WAY
FEDS, AND, AGAIN, THIS IS A WAY THAT WE CAN HOPEFULLY PROVIDE
THAT WE CAN HOPEFULLY PROVIDE SOME PROPERTY TAX RELIEF THROUGH
SOME PROPERTY TAX RELIEF THROUGH THE SALES TAX.
THE SALES TAX. >>SO, EXPLAIN HOW THAT MIGHT
>>SO, EXPLAIN HOW THAT MIGHT WORK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PROPERTY
WORK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
TAX RELIEF. YOU HAVE BONDS YOU HAVE ALREADY
YOU HAVE BONDS YOU HAVE ALREADY ISSUED FOR PAST CONSTRUCTION.
ISSUED FOR PAST CONSTRUCTION. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. >>YOU WOULD PAY THOSE OFF?
>>YOU WOULD PAY THOSE OFF? >> WE WOULD USE A PORTION OF
>> WE WOULD USE A PORTION OF THAT MONEY IN, DISTRICT 87'S
THAT MONEY IN, DISTRICT 87'S CASE, WE WOULD USE A PORTION OF
CASE, WE WOULD USE A PORTION OF THAT MONEY TO PAY IT DOWN, OUR
THAT MONEY TO PAY IT DOWN, OUR BOND DEBT, AND THE OTHER PORTION
BOND DEBT, AND THE OTHER PORTION WE WOULD USE TO FUND OUR ONGOING
WE WOULD USE TO FUND OUR ONGOING AND FUTURE PROJECTS.
AND FUTURE PROJECTS. IN THAT REGARD, PAYING DOWN THAT
IN THAT REGARD, PAYING DOWN THAT DEBT WOULD, IN ESSENCE, PROVIDE
DEBT WOULD, IN ESSENCE, PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. >>WOULD THAT BE THE CASE IN UNIT
>>WOULD THAT BE THE CASE IN UNIT FIVE AS WELL.
FIVE AS WELL. >>IN UNIT FIVE, WE ARE COMING
>>IN UNIT FIVE, WE ARE COMING OFF 2008 REFERENDUM WHERE WE
OFF 2008 REFERENDUM WHERE WE PASSED $96.7 MILLION IN FUNDING
PASSED $96.7 MILLION IN FUNDING BONDS -- ORR BUILDING BONDS.
BONDS -- ORR BUILDING BONDS. WE WOULD PAY THOSE OFF IN 2024.
WE WOULD PAY THOSE OFF IN 2024. AND REALLY, HONESTLY, WHAT WE
AND REALLY, HONESTLY, WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW IS TO BE ABLE TO
NEED RIGHT NOW IS TO BE ABLE TO PAY THOSE OFF WITH PROPERTY
PAY THOSE OFF WITH PROPERTY INTEREST, AND THEN THE SALES TAX
INTEREST, AND THEN THE SALES TAX WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE
WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE RENOVATIONS, REPAIRS, THE
RENOVATIONS, REPAIRS, THE MAINTENANCE, AND POTENTIALLY
MAINTENANCE, AND POTENTIALLY SOME NEW FACILITIES THAT WE MAY
SOME NEW FACILITIES THAT WE MAY NEED FOR OUR FUTURE.
NEED FOR OUR FUTURE. >>IN FACT, YOU ARE TALKING AT
>>IN FACT, YOU ARE TALKING AT LEAST IN A TEN YEAR PLAN, YOU
LEAST IN A TEN YEAR PLAN, YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY
ARE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?
OF NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? >> I THINK OUR EAST SIDE
>> I THINK OUR EAST SIDE PRESSURE IS THERE.
PRESSURE IS THERE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO
IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO CONSIDER.
CONTINUE TO CONSIDER. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH OUR SECOND
WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH OUR SECOND REDISTRICTING PROCESS IN UNIT 5
REDISTRICTING PROCESS IN UNIT 5 SINCE WE BUILT OUR NEW SCHOOLS.
SINCE WE BUILT OUR NEW SCHOOLS. ACTUALLY WE BUILT THREE AND A
ACTUALLY WE BUILT THREE AND A HALF NEW SCHOOLS, TWO AND A HALF
HALF NEW SCHOOLS, TWO AND A HALF OF THOSE WERE NEW ELEMENTARY
OF THOSE WERE NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, TWO OF THOSE THREE ARE
SCHOOLS, TWO OF THOSE THREE ARE ALREADY AT CAPACITY.
ALREADY AT CAPACITY. SO THIS PAST SUMMER, WE ACTUALLY
SO THIS PAST SUMMER, WE ACTUALLY MOVED STUDENTS AGAIN.
MOVED STUDENTS AGAIN. WE ACTUALLY OPENED OUR BRIGHAM
WE ACTUALLY OPENED OUR BRIGHAM SITE TO KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS.
SITE TO KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS. CEDAR RIDGE SIDE, BENJAMIN SITE
CEDAR RIDGE SIDE, BENJAMIN SITE WERE BOTH FULL, OVER CAPACITY
WERE BOTH FULL, OVER CAPACITY ACTUALLY.
ACTUALLY. THE POINT IS THAT IF WE CONTINUE
THE POINT IS THAT IF WE CONTINUE TO GROW, AND I THINK THAT'S
TO GROW, AND I THINK THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE, IN
ALWAYS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE, IN UNIT 5, HOW LONG WILL IT LAST.
UNIT 5, HOW LONG WILL IT LAST. IT HAS LASTED MY SEVEN YEARS AND
IT HAS LASTED MY SEVEN YEARS AND SEVEN YEARS PLUS THAT.
SEVEN YEARS PLUS THAT. WE NEED TO FIGURE OUTMATCH
WE NEED TO FIGURE OUTMATCH GROWTH WE WILL HAVE, WHAT
GROWTH WE WILL HAVE, WHAT CAPACITIES WE HAVE, AND RELEAF
CAPACITIES WE HAVE, AND RELEAF THE PRESSURE.
THE PRESSURE. THAT'S WHERE THE CONSTRUCTION
THAT'S WHERE THE CONSTRUCTION GOES, BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL.
GOES, BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL. IN ADDITION TO THE POSSIBILITY
IN ADDITION TO THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHAT
OF NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHAT OTHER IMPROVEMENTS MIGHT THIS
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS MIGHT THIS MONEY BE DEDICATED TO?
MONEY BE DEDICATED TO? >> ONE OF THE CRAZY THINGS THAT
>> ONE OF THE CRAZY THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN UNIT 5 WHAT HAPPENED
HAPPENED IN UNIT 5 WHAT HAPPENED THIS TIME TWO YEARS AGO, CHITTAX
THIS TIME TWO YEARS AGO, CHITTAX WENT THROUGH THE ASBESTOS
WENT THROUGH THE ASBESTOS REMOVAL.
REMOVAL. WE HAD TO CLOSE THE BALANCE OF
WE HAD TO CLOSE THE BALANCE OF THE SPRING.
THE SPRING. WE COMPLETELY RENOVATED CHETTAX.
WE COMPLETELY RENOVATED CHETTAX. WE DID THE RENOVATIONS, THE SAME
WE DID THE RENOVATIONS, THE SAME RENOVATIONS BUILT IN 1974 IN OUR
RENOVATIONS BUILT IN 1974 IN OUR PREVIOUS 2008 REFERENDUM.
PREVIOUS 2008 REFERENDUM. REALLY WHAT IT DOES IT IS ABOUT
REALLY WHAT IT DOES IT IS ABOUT $35,000 PER CLASSROOM OVERHAUL.
$35,000 PER CLASSROOM OVERHAUL. IT IS NEW WINDOWS.
IT IS NEW WINDOWS. IT IS NEW OUTSIDE WALLS.
IT IS NEW OUTSIDE WALLS. IT IS BALLASTS.
IT IS BALLASTS. IT IS NEW LIGHTS.
IT IS NEW LIGHTS. IT IS NEW FURNITURE.
IT IS NEW FURNITURE. IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY,
IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY, SMART BOARDS.
SMART BOARDS. IT REALLY GIVES US AN
IT REALLY GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO RENOVATE AND TO
OPPORTUNITY TO RENOVATE AND TO MAKE OUR OLDER BUILDINGS LOOK AS
MAKE OUR OLDER BUILDINGS LOOK AS IF THEY ARE BRAND NEW.
IF THEY ARE BRAND NEW. THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE ARE ABLE
THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH OUT OF THAT.
TO ACCOMPLISH OUT OF THAT. SO IN A DISTRICT LIKE UNIT 5
SO IN A DISTRICT LIKE UNIT 5 WHERE WE HAVE THE HAVE'S AND
WHERE WE HAVE THE HAVE'S AND HAVE NOT'S, IT REALLY GAVE OUR
HAVE NOT'S, IT REALLY GAVE OUR HAVE NOT'S WHAT THEY NEEDED.
HAVE NOT'S WHAT THEY NEEDED. IN THIS CASE NOW, WE ARE LOOKING
IN THIS CASE NOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT CHITTAX AT RENOVATIONS.
AT CHITTAX AT RENOVATIONS. WE HAVE PARK SIDE JUNIOR HIGH.
WE HAVE PARK SIDE JUNIOR HIGH. KINGLY WERE NEW AS THEY BUILT
KINGLY WERE NEW AS THEY BUILT NORMAL COMMUNITY.
NORMAL COMMUNITY. IT NEEDS RENOVATIONS.
IT NEEDS RENOVATIONS. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE GEOTHERMAL
WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE GEOTHERMAL AND WE'D LIKE TO DO THAT AT PARK
AND WE'D LIKE TO DO THAT AT PARK SIDE SCHOOL.
SIDE SCHOOL. IT IS AN OLDER SCHOOL, IT WAS
IT IS AN OLDER SCHOOL, IT WAS BUILT IN THE 60S, I BELIEVE.
BUILT IN THE 60S, I BELIEVE. IT NEEDS AN OVERHAUL OF THE I
IT NEEDS AN OVERHAUL OF THE I TERIOR OF IT WITH REGARD TO THE
TERIOR OF IT WITH REGARD TO THE CLASSROOM RENOVATION, BUT IT
CLASSROOM RENOVATION, BUT IT ALSO NEEDS TO HAVE AN OVERHAUL
ALSO NEEDS TO HAVE AN OVERHAUL WITH REGARD TO HEATING AND
WITH REGARD TO HEATING AND COOLING.
COOLING. AS THOSE KIDS GET OLDER AND GO
AS THOSE KIDS GET OLDER AND GO INTO HIGH SCHOOL AGE, HIGH
INTO HIGH SCHOOL AGE, HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION IS.
SCHOOL RENOVATION IS. >>HIGH SCHOOLS IN OUR CASE, WE
>>HIGH SCHOOLS IN OUR CASE, WE KNOW OUR K-6 POPULATION NOW,
KNOW OUR K-6 POPULATION NOW, MOST OF THOSE CLASSES ARE ABOUT
MOST OF THOSE CLASSES ARE ABOUT 1100 STUDENTS.
1100 STUDENTS. SO WE KNOW WHEN OUR SIXTH
SO WE KNOW WHEN OUR SIXTH GRADERS GET TO BE 12TH GRADERS,
GRADERS GET TO BE 12TH GRADERS, THAT MEANS OUR TWO HIGH SCHOOLS
THAT MEANS OUR TWO HIGH SCHOOLS WILL HAVE OVER 4,000 STUDENTS IN
WILL HAVE OVER 4,000 STUDENTS IN THE TWO OF THEM.
THE TWO OF THEM. I THINK OUR COMMUNITY AT THAT
I THINK OUR COMMUNITY AT THAT POINT AND TIME HAS TO DECIDE, SO
POINT AND TIME HAS TO DECIDE, SO IN THE NEXT FIVE OR SIX YEARS,
IN THE NEXT FIVE OR SIX YEARS, THEY HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY
THEY HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WILL WANT TO ADD ADDITIONS ON TO
WILL WANT TO ADD ADDITIONS ON TO THE TWO HIGH SCHOOLS WE
THE TWO HIGH SCHOOLS WE CURRENTLY HAVE OR DO THEY WANT
CURRENTLY HAVE OR DO THEY WANT TO BUILD A THIRD HIGH SCHOOL.
TO BUILD A THIRD HIGH SCHOOL. I DON'T THINK THIS IS A PROCESS
I DON'T THINK THIS IS A PROCESS THAT SALES TAX ISN'T ABOUT
THAT SALES TAX ISN'T ABOUT WHETHER WE NEED THIRD HIGH
WHETHER WE NEED THIRD HIGH SCHOOL OR EXPANDED, BUT IT
SCHOOL OR EXPANDED, BUT IT PROVIDES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PROVIDES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN FOR THAT WHEN THE DAY AND
PLAN FOR THAT WHEN THE DAY AND TIME COMES THAT WE NEED TO DO
TIME COMES THAT WE NEED TO DO THAT.
THAT. >>DISTRICT 87 DOESN'T GROW AT
>>DISTRICT 87 DOESN'T GROW AT THE SAME RATE UNIT FIVE DOES.
THE SAME RATE UNIT FIVE DOES. SO DOES MONEY FROM THE SALES
SO DOES MONEY FROM THE SALES TAX, IF IT IS APPROVED, WHAT
TAX, IF IT IS APPROVED, WHAT WOULD IT BE USED FOR?
WOULD IT BE USED FOR? >> IN OUR CASE, OUTSIDE OF
>> IN OUR CASE, OUTSIDE OF HAVING TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL
HAVING TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL BECAUSE, UP LIKE UNIT FIVE, WE
BECAUSE, UP LIKE UNIT FIVE, WE DO NOT HAVE THE GROWTH ISSUES
DO NOT HAVE THE GROWTH ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE.
THAT THEY HAVE. WE ARE A VERY STABLE POPULATION.
WE ARE A VERY STABLE POPULATION. SO MAINTAINING OUR BUILDINGS IS
SO MAINTAINING OUR BUILDINGS IS A TOP PRIORITY.
A TOP PRIORITY. WE WOULD DO SOME OF THE SIMILAR
WE WOULD DO SOME OF THE SIMILAR THINGS THAT GARY JUST TALKED
THINGS THAT GARY JUST TALKED ABOUT, RENOVATING CLASSROOMS,
ABOUT, RENOVATING CLASSROOMS, BRINGING THEM UP TO THE 21ST
BRINGING THEM UP TO THE 21ST CENTURY.
CENTURY. WE WOULD PUT ROOFS ON OUR
WE WOULD PUT ROOFS ON OUR BUILDINGS, ON AN APPROPRIATE
BUILDINGS, ON AN APPROPRIATE CYCLE.
CYCLE. A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT IS
A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT IS BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL.
BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL. THAT ROOF IS OVER 20 YEARS OLD
THAT ROOF IS OVER 20 YEARS OLD NOW, AND IT IS DUE FOR A NEW
NOW, AND IT IS DUE FOR A NEW ROOF.
ROOF. THAT IS GOING TO COST US
THAT IS GOING TO COST US ANYWHERE FROM 3.2 TO $4 MILLION
ANYWHERE FROM 3.2 TO $4 MILLION WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY.
WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY. AND IF WE ARE DOING THOSE TYPES
AND IF WE ARE DOING THOSE TYPES OF PROJECTS ON A CONSISTENT
OF PROJECTS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, WHICH WE WILL, IT IS JUST
BASIS, WHICH WE WILL, IT IS JUST LIKE TAKING CARE OF YOUR HOME.
LIKE TAKING CARE OF YOUR HOME. YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR
YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FURNACE IS WORKING WELL, YOUR
FURNACE IS WORKING WELL, YOUR AIR CONDITIONER, YOUR ROOF, AND
AIR CONDITIONER, YOUR ROOF, AND THERE ARE CYCLES THAT SCHOOL
THERE ARE CYCLES THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, JUST LIKE YOU DO AS A
DISTRICTS, JUST LIKE YOU DO AS A HOME, HAVE TO UPKEEP AND REPLACE
HOME, HAVE TO UPKEEP AND REPLACE THOSE ITEMS.
THOSE ITEMS. THAT'S THE ROUTE THAT WE WILL
THAT'S THE ROUTE THAT WE WILL LOOK TO.
LOOK TO. WE WILL REMODEL IN SOME CASES.
WE WILL REMODEL IN SOME CASES. WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH
WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH OUR LIBRARY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL,
OUR LIBRARY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, OUR CAFETERIA, AND WHEN YOU LOOK
OUR CAFETERIA, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MAGNET FLAGSHIP SCHOOL IN
AT THE MAGNET FLAGSHIP SCHOOL IN BLOOMINGTON, IT IS BLOOMINGTON
BLOOMINGTON, IT IS BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL.
HIGH SCHOOL. WHEN YOU WALK INTO THAT
WHEN YOU WALK INTO THAT BUILDING, THE AUDITORIUM IS A
BUILDING, THE AUDITORIUM IS A PIECE THAT IS VERY FUNCTIONAL
PIECE THAT IS VERY FUNCTIONAL RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS VERY
RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS VERY DIFFERENT WHEN YOU SEE THE
DIFFERENT WHEN YOU SEE THE REMODELING WORK THAT HAS GONE ON
REMODELING WORK THAT HAS GONE ON ELSEWHERE.
ELSEWHERE. THAT'S AN AREA THAT WE WOULD
THAT'S AN AREA THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO REMODEL.
LIKE TO REMODEL. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT
WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH THE NORMAL COURSE OF ACTION
WITH THE NORMAL COURSE OF ACTION THAT WE ARE ON NOW.
THAT WE ARE ON NOW. HOWEVER, WE CAN GET BY WITHOUT
HOWEVER, WE CAN GET BY WITHOUT IT.
IT. BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THINGS
BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO GET DONE,
THAT WE REALLY NEED TO GET DONE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ROOFS,
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ROOFS, BOILERS, CHILLERS, THE FLOORS,
BOILERS, CHILLERS, THE FLOORS, ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE VERY
ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS
IMPORTANT ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS FOR EDUCATION.
FOR EDUCATION. >>I THINK THE ONE ISSUE, THOUGH,
>>I THINK THE ONE ISSUE, THOUGH, THAT WE DIDN'T ADDRESS IN OUR
THAT WE DIDN'T ADDRESS IN OUR TWO CONVERSATIONS, AND I THINK
TWO CONVERSATIONS, AND I THINK IT IS A CHANGE.
IT IS A CHANGE. SANDY HOOK AND WHAT HAPPENED IN
SANDY HOOK AND WHAT HAPPENED IN SANDY HOOK IS WE, IN OUR LAST
SANDY HOOK IS WE, IN OUR LAST REFERENDUM, ONE OF OUR BOARD
REFERENDUM, ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS SAID I AM NOT VOTING FOR
MEMBERS SAID I AM NOT VOTING FOR THIS UNLESS THERE IS SAFETY AND
THIS UNLESS THERE IS SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THIS.
SECURITY IN THIS. WE WENT OUT AND SPENT ABOUT
WE WENT OUT AND SPENT ABOUT $10 MILLION ON LOCKING DOWN OUR
$10 MILLION ON LOCKING DOWN OUR BUILDINGS, AND UNIT 5 WAS A
BUILDINGS, AND UNIT 5 WAS A DISTRICT WHERE PRETTY MUCH YOU
DISTRICT WHERE PRETTY MUCH YOU COULD COME IN AND OUT OF ANY
COULD COME IN AND OUT OF ANY DOOR AT ANY TIME.
DOOR AT ANY TIME. GOING TO ACCESS DOORS, GETTING
GOING TO ACCESS DOORS, GETTING MORE SECURITY CAMERAS IN PLACE,
MORE SECURITY CAMERAS IN PLACE, SPENDING MORE TIME ON FIGURING
SPENDING MORE TIME ON FIGURING OUT HOW WE LOCKDOWN OUR
OUT HOW WE LOCKDOWN OUR BUILDINGS SO WE HAVE ONLY THOSE
BUILDINGS SO WE HAVE ONLY THOSE THAT WE WANT IN THE BUILDING
THAT WE WANT IN THE BUILDING THAT NEED TO BE IN THE BUILDING
THAT NEED TO BE IN THE BUILDING IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
IS REALLY IMPORTANT. FOR US, IN SEPTEMBER, FOR US ON
FOR US, IN SEPTEMBER, FOR US ON SEPTEMBER 7 WHEN WE WENT THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 7 WHEN WE WENT THROUGH OUR SHOOTING IN OUR OWN
OUR SHOOTING IN OUR OWN BUILDINGS, AGAIN, THAT DIDN'T
BUILDINGS, AGAIN, THAT DIDN'T STOP THAT SHOOTING, BUT IT ALSO
STOP THAT SHOOTING, BUT IT ALSO DETERS AND STOPS PEOPLE FROM
DETERS AND STOPS PEOPLE FROM COMING IN OUR BUILDINGS.
COMING IN OUR BUILDINGS. WE REALLY BELIEVE THE CAMERAS,
WE REALLY BELIEVE THE CAMERAS, THE SECURITY, THE ACCESS THAT WE
THE SECURITY, THE ACCESS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE IN OUR SCHOOLS IS
NEED TO HAVE IN OUR SCHOOLS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR US AND
AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR US AND SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP
SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS UP AND READY TO BE
OUR SCHOOLS UP AND READY TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO.
ABLE TO GO INTO. SO SECURITY AND SAFETY IS THE
SO SECURITY AND SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE ALSO
NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE ALSO HAVE TO KEEP AT THE TOP OF OUR
HAVE TO KEEP AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST AND MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE
LIST AND MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE SAFE ON DAY TO DAY BASIS IN OUR
SAFE ON DAY TO DAY BASIS IN OUR BUILDINGS.
BUILDINGS. >>YOU ARE -- PASSED THE
>>YOU ARE -- PASSED THE REFERENDUM, ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
REFERENDUM, ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN McLEAN COUNTY, HAD TO COME
IN McLEAN COUNTY, HAD TO COME TO AND AGREEMENT, PASSED
TO AND AGREEMENT, PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
UNANIMOUSLY. >>THEY DID.
>>THEY DID. >>THEY HAD TO NEW SAYERS?
>>THEY HAD TO NEW SAYERS? >> A PHILOSOPHICAL TAX ISSUE
>> A PHILOSOPHICAL TAX ISSUE QUITE FRANKLY.
QUITE FRANKLY. THAT'S A QUESTION I THINK YOU
THAT'S A QUESTION I THINK YOU REALLY NEED TO POSE TO THEM AS
REALLY NEED TO POSE TO THEM AS INDIVIDUALS.
INDIVIDUALS. BUT THERE IS A PHILOSOPHY NOT
BUT THERE IS A PHILOSOPHY NOT JUST HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY, BUT
JUST HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY, BUT IN THE COUNTRY OF WHENEVER
IN THE COUNTRY OF WHENEVER SOMEONE TALKS ABOUT NEW TAXES,
SOMEONE TALKS ABOUT NEW TAXES, THE A LARGE BELLS GO OFF.
THE A LARGE BELLS GO OFF. WHAT WE FOUND AND GARY FOUND
WHAT WE FOUND AND GARY FOUND THIS IN A SURVEY THAT WAS PUT
THIS IN A SURVEY THAT WAS PUT OUT TO SAMPLES OF VOTERS IN
OUT TO SAMPLES OF VOTERS IN McLEAN COUNTY, THE MORE THAT
McLEAN COUNTY, THE MORE THAT PEOPLE LEARN AND UNDERSTOOD
PEOPLE LEARN AND UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THIS TAX, THAT HELPED THEM
ABOUT THIS TAX, THAT HELPED THEM TO MAKE A DECISION, AND THAT'S
TO MAKE A DECISION, AND THAT'S REALLY ALL THAT WE WOULD ASK IS
REALLY ALL THAT WE WOULD ASK IS THAT PEOPLE GET VERY INFORMED
THAT PEOPLE GET VERY INFORMED ABOUT THIS, UNDERSTAND WHAT IS
ABOUT THIS, UNDERSTAND WHAT IS TAXED, WHAT IS NOT TAXED, WHAT
TAXED, WHAT IS NOT TAXED, WHAT IT CAN BE USED FOR, HOW
IT CAN BE USED FOR, HOW DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO USE IT,
DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO USE IT, ALL OF THOSE THINGS PEOPLE
ALL OF THOSE THINGS PEOPLE SHOULD BECOME VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE
SHOULD BECOME VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT TO UNDERSTAND THIS TAX AND
ABOUT TO UNDERSTAND THIS TAX AND THEN WHEN THEY GO TO THE VOTING
THEN WHEN THEY GO TO THE VOTING BOOTH, THEY HAVE A WELL-INFORMED
BOOTH, THEY HAVE A WELL-INFORMED VOTE. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHAT
VOTE. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHAT IT CAN BE USED FOR.
IT CAN BE USED FOR. WHAT IS TAXED?
WHAT IS TAXED? WHAT IS EXEMPT FROM THE TAX IF
WHAT IS EXEMPT FROM THE TAX IF IT PASSES?
IT PASSES? >> WELL, PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING
>> WELL, PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING YOU CAN DRIVE.
YOU CAN DRIVE. SO THAT'S YOUR RV, YOUR CAR,
SO THAT'S YOUR RV, YOUR CAR, YOUR BOAT, YOUR FARM EQUIPMENT,
YOUR BOAT, YOUR FARM EQUIPMENT, ANY OF THOSE TYPES OF THINGS ARE
ANY OF THOSE TYPES OF THINGS ARE NOT TAXED UNDER THIS SYSTEM.
NOT TAXED UNDER THIS SYSTEM. ALSO, YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS,
ALSO, YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW.
PEOPLE TO KNOW. SO ANYTHING THAT'S NOT TAXED
SO ANYTHING THAT'S NOT TAXED NOW, WE ARE NOT ADDING ANOTHER
NOW, WE ARE NOT ADDING ANOTHER TAX.
TAX. IT IS WHAT IS TAXED NOW.
IT IS WHAT IS TAXED NOW. BUT THOSE ARE EXEMPTIONS. THOSE
BUT THOSE ARE EXEMPTIONS. THOSE ARE THE THINGS I JUST MENTIONED
ARE THE THINGS I JUST MENTIONED THAT THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY
THAT THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR.
FOR. I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR
I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW
PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THAT THE TWO THAT ARE THERE THAT
THAT THE TWO THAT ARE THERE THAT PROBABLY STICK OUT THAT YOU ARE
PROBABLY STICK OUT THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT THAT AS YOUR
LOOKING AT THAT AS YOUR GASOLINE, AND AGAIN, WE SELL A
GASOLINE, AND AGAIN, WE SELL A LOT OF GASOLINE IN McLEAN
LOT OF GASOLINE IN McLEAN COUNTY, WITH THREE INTERSTATES
COUNTY, WITH THREE INTERSTATES THAT FEED US.
THAT FEED US. THAT WILL BE ONE THAT WE WILL
THAT WILL BE ONE THAT WE WILL GET SOME OF THE 1% ON.
GET SOME OF THE 1% ON. BUT 37% OF OUR FUNDING IS, NEW
BUT 37% OF OUR FUNDING IS, NEW REVENUE FUNDING WILL COME FROM
REVENUE FUNDING WILL COME FROM OUTSIDE McLEAN COUNTY.
OUTSIDE McLEAN COUNTY. I REALLY THINK THAT'S AN
I REALLY THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR PEOPLE TO
IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE, WHAT ARE WE GETTING
RECOGNIZE, WHAT ARE WE GETTING FOR THIS?
FOR THIS? WE ARE GETTING 37 CENTS OUT OF
WE ARE GETTING 37 CENTS OUT OF EVERY DOLLAR WILL COME FROM A
EVERY DOLLAR WILL COME FROM A NON-RESIDENT.
NON-RESIDENT. I THINK THAT SHOULD HELP SOME OF
I THINK THAT SHOULD HELP SOME OF OUR McLEAN COUNTY VOTERS LOOK
OUR McLEAN COUNTY VOTERS LOOK AT THIS DIFFERENTLY.
AT THIS DIFFERENTLY. I THINK THE OTHER ONE THING I
I THINK THE OTHER ONE THING I WANTED TO ADD TO THIS R PART OF
WANTED TO ADD TO THIS R PART OF THIS IS WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR
THIS IS WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR COUNTY SCHOOLS AND COUNTY
COUNTY SCHOOLS AND COUNTY COMMUNITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNS
COMMUNITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNS THAT SHOP IN BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL.
THAT SHOP IN BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL. THEY REALLY DON'T GET ANYTHING
THEY REALLY DON'T GET ANYTHING IN RETURN FOR SHOPPING THERE.
IN RETURN FOR SHOPPING THERE. NOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET AT
NOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET AT LEAST THE 1% BACK PER STUDENT,
LEAST THE 1% BACK PER STUDENT, BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES.
BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES. I ACTUALLY -- PEOPLE SAY WELL
I ACTUALLY -- PEOPLE SAY WELL THIS WILL DRIVE DOWN BUSINESS.
THIS WILL DRIVE DOWN BUSINESS. I THINK IT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO
I THINK IT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO MAKE OUR COUNTY PEOPLE LOOK AT
MAKE OUR COUNTY PEOPLE LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOP IN
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOP IN BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL BECAUSE THEY
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL BECAUSE THEY WILL GET SOMETHING BACK FOR
WILL GET SOMETHING BACK FOR SHOPPING IN BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL.
SHOPPING IN BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL. THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER
THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE.
HAD BEFORE. I REALLY THINK OUR SCOUT
I REALLY THINK OUR SCOUT SCHOOLS, BESIDES UNIT 5 AND
SCHOOLS, BESIDES UNIT 5 AND DISTRICT 87 FIND THIS THING TO
DISTRICT 87 FIND THIS THING TO BE A LOT MORE POL ATABLE THAN
BE A LOT MORE POL ATABLE THAN ORIGINALLY WE THOUGHT THEY
ORIGINALLY WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD.
WOULD. >>CLARIFICATION, FOOD IS NOT
>>CLARIFICATION, FOOD IS NOT TAXED IF IT IS UNPREPARED.
TAXED IF IT IS UNPREPARED. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. >>BASIC GROCERIES.
>>BASIC GROCERIES. RESTAURANTS WOULD BE TAXED,
RESTAURANTS WOULD BE TAXED, CLOTHING WOULD BE TAXED.
CLOTHING WOULD BE TAXED. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. >>LET'S TALK DOLLARS, HOW MUCH
>>LET'S TALK DOLLARS, HOW MUCH WILL THIS RAISE COUNTY WIDE
WILL THIS RAISE COUNTY WIDE THIS.
THIS. >>IT IS ESTIMATED FOR THE COUNTY
>>IT IS ESTIMATED FOR THE COUNTY $16 MILLION, AND THAT'S SPLIT
$16 MILLION, AND THAT'S SPLIT BASED ON YOUR STUDENT
BASED ON YOUR STUDENT POPULATION.
POPULATION. AS YOU LOOK AT THE DISTRICTS,
AS YOU LOOK AT THE DISTRICTS, UNIT 5 WOULD RECEIVE THE
UNIT 5 WOULD RECEIVE THE MAJORITY OF THAT BASED ON THE
MAJORITY OF THAT BASED ON THE FACT THEY HAVE THE MOST STUDENTS
FACT THEY HAVE THE MOST STUDENTS IN THE COUNTY.
IN THE COUNTY. DISTRICT 87 WOULD BE NEXT.
DISTRICT 87 WOULD BE NEXT. IT IS BASED ON PER STUDENT
IT IS BASED ON PER STUDENT BASIS.
BASIS. WHEN GARY MENTIONED DOLLARS GO
WHEN GARY MENTIONED DOLLARS GO BACK TO THE COUNTY SCHOOLS,
BACK TO THE COUNTY SCHOOLS, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING. IT IS BASE SOLELY ON WHERE THE
IT IS BASE SOLELY ON WHERE THE STUDENT RESIDES.
STUDENT RESIDES. SO IN MY CASE, DISTRICT 87 WOULD
SO IN MY CASE, DISTRICT 87 WOULD GET APPROXIMATELY ANYWHERE FROM
GET APPROXIMATELY ANYWHERE FROM 3.6 TO $4 MILLION DEPENDING WHAT
3.6 TO $4 MILLION DEPENDING WHAT NUMBERS YOU LOOK AT OR HOW MANY
NUMBERS YOU LOOK AT OR HOW MANY SALES GO ON OVER THE COURSE OF
SALES GO ON OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.
THE YEAR. UNIT 5 WILL GET ABOUT DOUBLE
UNIT 5 WILL GET ABOUT DOUBLE THAT, AND THEN COUNTY SCHOOLS
THAT, AND THEN COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL GET A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN
WILL GET A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN THAT AS THEY GO DOWN IN ENROLL
THAT AS THEY GO DOWN IN ENROLL MANY.
MANY. >>THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 1% IF
>>THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 1% IF APPROVED.
APPROVED. RIGHT NOW, McLEAN COUNTY
RIGHT NOW, McLEAN COUNTY 7.75%.
7.75%. SO THIS WOULD GO TO 8.75%.
SO THIS WOULD GO TO 8.75%. DO YOU HAVE A CONCERN THAT --
DO YOU HAVE A CONCERN THAT -- AND THERE HAS BEEN SOME
AND THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION, NOTHING IN PAPER,
DISCUSSION, NOTHING IN PAPER, BUT THERE HAS BEEN SOME
BUT THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION MIGHT BE A PUBLIC
DISCUSSION MIGHT BE A PUBLIC SAFETY TAX, MIGHT BE
SAFETY TAX, MIGHT BE TRANSPORTATION TAX BECAUSE THE
TRANSPORTATION TAX BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MIGHT NOT
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MIGHT NOT FUND TRANSPORTATION AS MUCH AS
FUND TRANSPORTATION AS MUCH AS IT HAS.
IT HAS. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE MIGHT BE
ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE MIGHT BE PUSHING 10% AT SOME POINT.
PUSHING 10% AT SOME POINT. IS THERE SOME KERN THE SALES TAX
IS THERE SOME KERN THE SALES TAX MIGHT HAVE A LIMIT?
MIGHT HAVE A LIMIT? >> ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE
>> ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THE SALES TAX VERSUS ALL
ABOUT THE SALES TAX VERSUS ALL THE OTHERS YOU HAVE JUST TALKED
THE OTHERS YOU HAVE JUST TALKED ABOUT IS ACTUALLY THE VOTERS GET
ABOUT IS ACTUALLY THE VOTERS GET A CHANCE TO VOTE FOR THIS IN
A CHANCE TO VOTE FOR THIS IN McLEAN COUNTY.
McLEAN COUNTY. IN ALL THE OTHER TAXES YOU ARE
IN ALL THE OTHER TAXES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, THE SAFETY TAX OR
TALKING ABOUT, THE SAFETY TAX OR THE SOCCER TAX OR THE COMMUNITY
THE SOCCER TAX OR THE COMMUNITY CENTER TAX OR SAFETY TAX FOR
CENTER TAX OR SAFETY TAX FOR COUNTY, ALL OF THOSE TAKE A
COUNTY, ALL OF THOSE TAKE A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF YOUR CITY
SIMPLE MAJORITY OF YOUR CITY COUNCIL OR YOUR COUNTY BOARD OR
COUNCIL OR YOUR COUNTY BOARD OR THOSE ENTITIES.
THOSE ENTITIES. IN THIS CASE, WE ARE ASKING
IN THIS CASE, WE ARE ASKING EVERY ONE THAT WANTS TO VOTE AND
EVERY ONE THAT WANTS TO VOTE AND HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE TO
HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE TO HAVE THEIR INPUT ON THIS.
HAVE THEIR INPUT ON THIS. WE REALLY THINK THAT'S AN
WE REALLY THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE
IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.
TWO. SO IF THE MAJORITY THAT WE GET
SO IF THE MAJORITY THAT WE GET IN THE ELECTION WANTS TO DO
IN THE ELECTION WANTS TO DO THIS, THEN EVERYBODY HAS HAD
THIS, THEN EVERYBODY HAS HAD THEIR OPPORTUNITY.
THEIR OPPORTUNITY. I THINK WHEN IT IS DONE IN THAT
I THINK WHEN IT IS DONE IN THAT FORMAT, I THINK IT PUTS IT AT A
FORMAT, I THINK IT PUTS IT AT A MUCH MORE PUBLIC EYE AND ALSO
MUCH MORE PUBLIC EYE AND ALSO GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO
GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE YES OR NO ON IT.
VOTE YES OR NO ON IT. >>LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HISTORY
>>LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HISTORY OF THIS REFERENDUM BECAUSE IT IS
OF THIS REFERENDUM BECAUSE IT IS ON A COUNTY BY COUNTY BASIS.
ON A COUNTY BY COUNTY BASIS. THE LAW WAS ENACTED ORIGINALLY
THE LAW WAS ENACTED ORIGINALLY IN 2007.
IN 2007. SINCE THAT TIME, 59 COUNTIES
SINCE THAT TIME, 59 COUNTIES HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PASS SOME FORM
HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PASS SOME FORM OF SALES TAX INCREASE FOR SCHOOL
OF SALES TAX INCREASE FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION.
CONSTRUCTION. 17 OF THOSE REFERENDA, 17 OF 59
17 OF THOSE REFERENDA, 17 OF 59 PASSED A YEAR AGO IN THE CHANNEL
PASSED A YEAR AGO IN THE CHANNEL 47 VIEWING AREA, FULTON,
47 VIEWING AREA, FULTON, LASALLE, TAZEWELL ALL FAILED,
LASALLE, TAZEWELL ALL FAILED, HENRY AND LIVINGSTON PASSED.
HENRY AND LIVINGSTON PASSED. IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT
IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT McLEAN COUNTY YOU REMAIN
McLEAN COUNTY YOU REMAIN HOPEFUL?
HOPEFUL? >> WELL, WHEN YOU LOOK AT
>> WELL, WHEN YOU LOOK AT McLEAN COUNTY, WE HAVE THREE
McLEAN COUNTY, WE HAVE THREE MAJOR INTERSTATES THAT COME
MAJOR INTERSTATES THAT COME THROUGH HERE.
THROUGH HERE. WE HAVE AIRPORT THAT IS HERE.
WE HAVE AIRPORT THAT IS HERE. WE HAVE REALLY GOOD
WE HAVE REALLY GOOD TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. WE HAVE A LOT OF TOURISM, A
WE HAVE A LOT OF TOURISM, A MAJOR UNIVERSITY, A UP CAN OF
MAJOR UNIVERSITY, A UP CAN OF MAJOR INSURANCE CORPORATIONS.
MAJOR INSURANCE CORPORATIONS. SO THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT
SO THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME TO THIS COMMUNITY THAT
COME TO THIS COMMUNITY THAT DON'T NECESSARILY LIVE HERE AND
DON'T NECESSARILY LIVE HERE AND THEY MIGHT BE HERE FOR SHORT
THEY MIGHT BE HERE FOR SHORT AMOUNTS OF TIME.
AMOUNTS OF TIME. SO THOSE DOLLARS THAT GARY HAD
SO THOSE DOLLARS THAT GARY HAD MENTIONED, THE 37% COMING FROM
MENTIONED, THE 37% COMING FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE
PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY, THAT'S A PRETTY
COUNTY, THAT'S A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER COMPARED TO
SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE MADE
OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE MADE THE ATTEMPT TO PASS THIS.
THE ATTEMPT TO PASS THIS. EVERY COUNTY IS DIFFERENT.
EVERY COUNTY IS DIFFERENT. BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT McLEAN
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT McLEAN COUNTY AND THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC
COUNTY AND THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC THAT COMES THROUGH HERE BEING
THAT COMES THROUGH HERE BEING BASICALLY IN THE CENTER OF
BASICALLY IN THE CENTER OF PEORIA, CHAMPAIGN, ST. LOUIS,
PEORIA, CHAMPAIGN, ST. LOUIS, AND CHICAGO, THERE IS A LOT OF
AND CHICAGO, THERE IS A LOT OF STOPS THAT HAPPEN IN THIS
STOPS THAT HAPPEN IN THIS COUNTY, AND PEOPLE WHETHER THEY
COUNTY, AND PEOPLE WHETHER THEY ARE EATING OUT AT RESTAURANTS,
ARE EATING OUT AT RESTAURANTS, GETTING GAS, SHOPPING AT THE
GETTING GAS, SHOPPING AT THE MALLS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY
MALLS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY LIVE HERE THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE
LIVE HERE THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE BUILDINGS OF THE SCHOOL,
TO THE BUILDINGS OF THE SCHOOL, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING APPRECIATED BY LOCAL FOLKS OR AT
APPRECIATED BY LOCAL FOLKS OR AT LEAST THE POSSIBILITY OF THAT
LEAST THE POSSIBILITY OF THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
WOULD BE APPRECIATED. >>WITH THAT, RURAL COUNTIES
>>WITH THAT, RURAL COUNTIES MIGHT NOT HAVE AS GOOD AN
MIGHT NOT HAVE AS GOOD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PASS SUCH A LAW
OPPORTUNITY TO PASS SUCH A LAW IF A REFERENDUM WERE PLACED IN
IF A REFERENDUM WERE PLACED IN THE RURAL COUNTIES.
THE RURAL COUNTIES. THAT WOULD TURN OUR ATTENTION TO
THAT WOULD TURN OUR ATTENTION TO IS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
IS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CONSIDERING SOMETHING ON A
CONSIDERING SOMETHING ON A STATE-WIDE BASIS?
STATE-WIDE BASIS? >> WELL, I THINK THEY PUT IT OUT
>> WELL, I THINK THEY PUT IT OUT COUNTY BY COUNTY. BUT I THINK
COUNTY BY COUNTY. BUT I THINK WE LOOK OVER AT IOWA, THE WHOLE
WE LOOK OVER AT IOWA, THE WHOLE STATE OF IOWA HAS THIS IN PLACE.
STATE OF IOWA HAS THIS IN PLACE. REALLY, HONESTLY, WHEN WE LOOK
REALLY, HONESTLY, WHEN WE LOOK AT REVENUES, I MEAN BARRY TALKED
AT REVENUES, I MEAN BARRY TALKED ABOUT THAT WHETHER THE STATE --
ABOUT THAT WHETHER THE STATE -- STATE OF LOOKING FOR REVENUE
STATE OF LOOKING FOR REVENUE SOURCE FOR EDUCATION, VERY
SOURCE FOR EDUCATION, VERY HONESTLY, I THINK WHEN WE HAVE
HONESTLY, I THINK WHEN WE HAVE TO LOOK BACK ON THIS, I THINK WE
TO LOOK BACK ON THIS, I THINK WE WILL LOOK BACK AND SAY THE SALES
WILL LOOK BACK AND SAY THE SALES TAX MAYBE ONE OF THE MORE
TAX MAYBE ONE OF THE MORE CONSISTENT REVENUE SOURCES WE
CONSISTENT REVENUE SOURCES WE COULD POSSIBLY PUT IN PLACE
COULD POSSIBLY PUT IN PLACE PARTICULARLY FOR SCHOOL
PARTICULARLY FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES.
FACILITIES. I THINK THERE WILL BE A DAY AND
I THINK THERE WILL BE A DAY AND TIME WE HAVE TO LOOK AT
TIME WE HAVE TO LOOK AT SOMETHING BESIDES PROPERTY TAXES
SOMETHING BESIDES PROPERTY TAXES BECAUSE OUR PROPERTY TAXES RIGHT
BECAUSE OUR PROPERTY TAXES RIGHT NOW IN McLEAN COUNTY, MOST
NOW IN McLEAN COUNTY, MOST EVERYBODY IS NOT HAPPY WITH HOW
EVERYBODY IS NOT HAPPY WITH HOW HIGH THEY ARE.
HIGH THEY ARE. IF WE CAN HELP REDUCE THAT AND
IF WE CAN HELP REDUCE THAT AND HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW THAT
HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW THAT TRANSFORMATION WILL HAPPEN OVER
TRANSFORMATION WILL HAPPEN OVER TIME, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF
TIME, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO
PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE THAT ON AND TAKE THAT AS AN
TAKE THAT ON AND TAKE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY.
OPPORTUNITY. >>DR. REILLY, WHAT IF THIS
>>DR. REILLY, WHAT IF THIS FAILS?
FAILS? >> WELL, IN OUR CASE, WE WILL
>> WELL, IN OUR CASE, WE WILL STILL HAVE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO
STILL HAVE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, AND WE ARE ACTUALLY
BE DONE, AND WE ARE ACTUALLY SPENDING THE LAST OF OUR BOND
SPENDING THE LAST OF OUR BOND AND INTEREST MONEY THIS SUMMER
AND INTEREST MONEY THIS SUMMER FOR WORK THAT WE WILL DO.
FOR WORK THAT WE WILL DO. WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK TO PROBABLY
WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK TO PROBABLY BORROW SOME MORE MONEY AND, OF
BORROW SOME MORE MONEY AND, OF COURSE, THAT WOULD EXTEND THE
COURSE, THAT WOULD EXTEND THE DEBT THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
DEBT THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF
WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE SLATED
THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE SLATED IN THAT TEN YEAR PLAN.
IN THAT TEN YEAR PLAN. WE WILL HAVE TO PRIORITIZE
WE WILL HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THOSE.
THOSE. WE WILL CERTAINLY PRIORITIZE
WE WILL CERTAINLY PRIORITIZE THOSE REGARDLESS, BUT IT WILL
THOSE REGARDLESS, BUT IT WILL ALLOW US TO DO LESS IF THIS DOES
ALLOW US TO DO LESS IF THIS DOES NOT PASS.
NOT PASS. >>LIKEWISE, IN UNIT 5?
>>LIKEWISE, IN UNIT 5? >> I THINK IN UNIT 5, WE MADE A
>> I THINK IN UNIT 5, WE MADE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT -- OBVIOUSLY
CONSCIOUS EFFORT -- OBVIOUSLY BACK IN 2008, WE DID PASS -- WE
BACK IN 2008, WE DID PASS -- WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE
WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PASS A $96.7 MILLION BOND
TO PASS A $96.7 MILLION BOND REFERENDUM.
REFERENDUM. WE DIDN'T THINK WE COULD DO THAT
WE DIDN'T THINK WE COULD DO THAT AGAIN.
AGAIN. WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE ONE
WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE ONE OPTION, THE ONE TRADE OFFENSE
OPTION, THE ONE TRADE OFFENSE THAT MIGHT MAKE IT PLIABLE FOR
THAT MIGHT MAKE IT PLIABLE FOR OUR McLEAN COUNTY VOTERS.
OUR McLEAN COUNTY VOTERS. SO I THINK IF THIS DOESN'T PASS,
SO I THINK IF THIS DOESN'T PASS, I THINK MORE THAN LIKELY WE WILL
I THINK MORE THAN LIKELY WE WILL WANT TO TRY TO DO IT AGAIN OR
WANT TO TRY TO DO IT AGAIN OR SEE WHAT WE DID WRONG AND TRY TO
SEE WHAT WE DID WRONG AND TRY TO BUILD ON IT, AT THE BASE WHAT WE
BUILD ON IT, AT THE BASE WHAT WE FOUND -- WE FOUND WHAT OUR BASE
FOUND -- WE FOUND WHAT OUR BASE WAS, AND WE NEED TO GET A FEW
WAS, AND WE NEED TO GET A FEW MORE VOTES IN.
MORE VOTES IN. OUR BOARD WILL PROBABLY GO BACK
OUR BOARD WILL PROBABLY GO BACK AND TRY IT AGAIN JUST SIMPLY
AND TRY IT AGAIN JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE WE THINK THIS IS A MUCH
BECAUSE WE THINK THIS IS A MUCH BETTER OPTION THAN GOING BACK TO
BETTER OPTION THAN GOING BACK TO THEM AGAIN WITH REGARD TO A
THEM AGAIN WITH REGARD TO A PROPERTY TAX.
PROPERTY TAX. >>MIGHT BE LESS THAN 1% THE NEXT
>>MIGHT BE LESS THAN 1% THE NEXT TIME YOU DO IT?
TIME YOU DO IT? >> THOSE ARE ALWAYS
>> THOSE ARE ALWAYS POSSIBILITIES.
POSSIBILITIES. AGAIN, I THINK WE LOOKED AT
AGAIN, I THINK WE LOOKED AT THOSE NEEDS IN THE BEGINNING.
THOSE NEEDS IN THE BEGINNING. WE ANALYZED THAT ONE SENT
WE ANALYZED THAT ONE SENT SEPTEMBER. WE LOOKED AT WHAT
SEPTEMBER. WE LOOKED AT WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE GOING TO BE.
OUR NEEDS ARE GOING TO BE. I THINK THE MONEY WE RECEIVED IN
I THINK THE MONEY WE RECEIVED IN UNIT 5 WAS PLACED APPROPRIATELY
UNIT 5 WAS PLACED APPROPRIATELY WITH REGARD TO THE ONE CENT.
WITH REGARD TO THE ONE CENT. >>THIS DOESN'T ADDRESS THE BIG
>>THIS DOESN'T ADDRESS THE BIG GORILLA, THE EDUCATION FUND.
GORILLA, THE EDUCATION FUND. DO YOU HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL?
DO YOU HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL? >> BOY, IF I DID, I WOULD BE A
>> BOY, IF I DID, I WOULD BE A VERY POPULAR GUY.
VERY POPULAR GUY. UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T.
UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T. WHEN I LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES
WHEN I LOOK AT THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF
THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WHEN IT COMES TO
ILLINOIS WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION, THE CHALLENGES ARE
EDUCATION, THE CHALLENGES ARE MANY.
MANY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT MANY DISTRICTS
WHEN YOU LOOK AT MANY DISTRICTS HAVE ALREADY REDUCED STAFF.
HAVE ALREADY REDUCED STAFF. THEY HAVE REDUCED PROGRAMS OR
THEY HAVE REDUCED PROGRAMS OR CUT PROGRAMS.
CUT PROGRAMS. THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT LEFT
THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT LEFT THAT THEY CAN GO BACK TO
THAT THEY CAN GO BACK TO WELL-TO-DO THAT.
WELL-TO-DO THAT. ON TOP OF IT, WE HAVE A LOOMING
ON TOP OF IT, WE HAVE A LOOMING PENSION ISSUE THAT IS GOING INTO
PENSION ISSUE THAT IS GOING INTO THE COURTS.
THE COURTS. THERE IS DISCUSSION THAT THERE
THERE IS DISCUSSION THAT THERE ALWAYS IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT
ALWAYS IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT STATE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN
STATE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SHIFTING THE COST TO THE LOCAL
SHIFTING THE COST TO THE LOCAL DISTRICTS.
DISTRICTS. IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN WHO KNOWS
IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN WHO KNOWS WHERE THINGS ARE GOING TO GO
WHERE THINGS ARE GOING TO GO WITH FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.
WITH FUNDING FOR EDUCATION. BUT I DON'T SEE THOSE CHALLENGES
BUT I DON'T SEE THOSE CHALLENGES GOING AWAY.
GOING AWAY. CERTAINLY, THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF
CERTAINLY, THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF BUILDINGS AND WHAT KIDS WOULD GO
BUILDINGS AND WHAT KIDS WOULD GO TO WILL BE BETTER OFF IF WE HAVE
TO WILL BE BETTER OFF IF WE HAVE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS
FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE THINGS PAYING FOR THE
THOSE THINGS PAYING FOR THE ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THOSE
ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THOSE CLASSROOMS IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE,
CLASSROOMS IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE, AND I DON'T SEE THAT GOING AWAY
AND I DON'T SEE THAT GOING AWAY ANY TIME SOON.
ANY TIME SOON. WELL, THE VOTERS NOW HAVE THEIR
WELL, THE VOTERS NOW HAVE THEIR TURN.
TURN. THEY CAN GO TO THE BALLOT AND
THEY CAN GO TO THE BALLOT AND CAST A BALLOT RATHER, AT THE
CAST A BALLOT RATHER, AT THE POLLS, AT THE SPRING PRIMARY.
POLLS, AT THE SPRING PRIMARY. PEORIA COUNTY, McLEAN COUNTY,
PEORIA COUNTY, McLEAN COUNTY, DEWITT COUNTY, AND OTHERS ALL
DEWITT COUNTY, AND OTHERS ALL FACE THE 1% SALES TAX INCREASE
FACE THE 1% SALES TAX INCREASE FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN
FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS. AGAIN, IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE
AGAIN, IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE EDUCATION ASPECT OF THAT.
EDUCATION ASPECT OF THAT. I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO
I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO DR. BARRY REILLY, WHO IS THE
DR. BARRY REILLY, WHO IS THE SUPERINTENDENT AT DISTRICT 87 IN
SUPERINTENDENT AT DISTRICT 87 IN BLOOMINGTON AND, LIKEWISE, HIS
BLOOMINGTON AND, LIKEWISE, HIS COUNTERPART, RETIRING DR. GARY
COUNTERPART, RETIRING DR. GARY NIEHAUS.
NIEHAUS. WHEN DO YOU RETINY. -- WHEN DO
WHEN DO YOU RETINY. -- WHEN DO YOU RETIRE?
YOU RETIRE? >> JUNE 14.
>> JUNE 14. >>CONGRATULATIONS.
>>CONGRATULATIONS. UNIT 5, DR. GARY NIEHAUS.
UNIT 5, DR. GARY NIEHAUS. WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON
WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "AT ISSUE."
"AT ISSUE." WE WILL BE BACK IN ONE WEEK WITH
WE WILL BE BACK IN ONE WEEK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE."
ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE." PLEASE JOIN US THEN.>>