Latest news with #JoshMcBroom
Chicago Tribune
16-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Proposal to hike Naperville's sales tax to replace lost grocery tax moves forward
The Naperville City Council will vote next month on increasing the city's sales tax to compensate for the loss of about $6.5 million in state grocery tax revenue. If implemented, escalating the home rule sales tax from .75% to 1% will generate about $6.57 million in new money but comes with the proviso that the increase be removed in two years. The tax would add 25 cents to every $100 spent on restaurant meals and store purchases, affecting items such as clothing, electronics and personal care products. It also means that the food and beverage tax patrons pay at downtown restaurants and bars will go down by .25%, per requirements included in city ordinances that dictate that if the home rule tax goes up, the downtown food and beverage tax must go down by the same amount. The current tax is 1.75%. The proposed adjustment was not universally supported by the council at the Tuesday night meeting. Members Josh McBroom, Allison Longenbaugh, Nate Wilson and Mayor Scott Wehrli said they preferred a local grocery tax. Last year, Gov. JB Pritzker repealed Illinois' 1% grocery tax, saying it hit poorer families harder than others. However, because revenue from the tax goes directly to municipal governments rather than to the state government, towns were granted the ability to levy their own 1% tax on groceries by Oct. 1. Some neighboring communities, including Wheaton and Plainfield, have opted to do that while others are still discussing their options. Naperville Finance Director Raymond Munch noted that the grocery tax and the home rule sales tax currently bring in about the same amount of revenue, but the local grocery tax is a more stable form of revenue. Council members who preferred the sale tax increase said they believed a lower grocery tax would be of greater benefit to Naperville residents with lower incomes. 'We have seen in the community there have been people who have been at the grocery stores every week — hundreds, thousands — shopping for groceries every week,' Councilman Ashfaq Syed said. 'I have not seen that at shopping malls or for dining.' Councilman Ian Holzhauer agreed. 'I think the one of the strongest arguments for the grocery tax is actually also one of the strongest arguments against it, which is that it provides revenue stability during periods of economic slowdown,' Holzhauer said. 'That means in times when a lot of people are losing their jobs … the only thing they can afford to buy that week is their food.' City staff noted that low-income people who receive assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, would not pay the grocery tax but would feel the impact of a bump to the home rule sales tax. For Holzhauer, however, recent cuts to SNAP through President Trump's tax bill are part of why he supports a home rule sales tax increase since he says more people will likely lose their SNAP benefits soon. Council members Mary Gibson, Benjamin White and Patrick Kelly were also in support of the increased home rule sales tax. Longenbaugh echoed comments she made at a previous city council meeting, emphasizing that she does not like the 'regressive' nature of either tax. She ultimately voted for implementing a local grocery tax. 'It's been on our receipts since the 1990s,' Longenbaugh said, referencing the year the tax was put in place. 'We've been seeing this on our grocery store receipts for this long. It doesn't necessarily make it right, but it's something that we are familiar with already.' The council action is counter to the position taken by the Naperville Financial Advisory Board, which voted 5-1 in May to recommend the adoption of the grocery tax over increasing the home rule sales tax. Local business leaders also expressed opposition to the sales tax hike at the Tuesday meeting. 'Our current sales tax rate is nearly 3% lower than many neighboring communities,' Kaylin Risvold, president and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, said. 'An increase in the home rule sales tax would erode or eliminate this advantage, making Naperville less competitive for businesses.'
Chicago Tribune
03-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Letters to the Editor: Naperville should not be locked into another IMEA contract
The Naperville City Council must vote against renewing the IMEA contract as the city's electricity provide. City Councilman Josh McBroom makes the point that the MDR (Member Directed Resource) will enable us to partly outsource our electricity to clean energy sources. This is misleading, at best. We cannot use an MDR to shave 10% off our peak load without shaving IMEA's demand as a whole. IMEA members will still be required to purchase their full requirements from IMEA. Naperville could use additional money to develop new energy sources and would be paid the 'market price' for those sources, but that might be less than the actual cost to Naperville. Renewing the contract will obligate Naperville to obtain the same amount of electricity from coal-fired energy plants. We must work to source our electricity from clean energy providers and not commit to continue to support coal burning for another 25 years!
Chicago Tribune
27-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Letters to the Editor: McBroom's arguments for new IMEA contract ‘ring hollow'; what does democracy mean and how do we protect it?
I was disappointed to read Naperville City Councilman Josh McBroom's June 22 opinion column in the Naperville Sun. Naperville voters should ask the councilman why he wants to sign a $2 billion contract without getting any bids from other companies. Naperville has received one offer from one organization, and he's ready to lock Naperville ratepayers into a contract that extends 30 years into the future. The consultants he references predict Naperville electricity costs will triple over the course of the contract. The council has collected zero information from companies other than our current provider, IMEA. Naperville ratepayers deserve better. The councilman has reviewed the analysis, which shows that IMEA's current contract with Naperville was hundreds of millions of dollars more expensive than the wholesale market, due in part to billions of dollars in cost overruns. The councilman's 'cost of delay' warnings ring hollow on a contract that doesn't expire until 2035, and when the experts he references said they've never seen a contract signed this far before the current contract expires. Equally hollow are the claims that his proposal is low risk. Each consultant warned that the electricity market is changing because of new technology and legislation, but Councilman McBroom advocates signing a contract with no ability to exit until 2055. The lack of any flexibility puts ratepayers at the highest risk. As if the proposal couldn't be worse, it sends a good portion of our money to a coal plant in Kentucky for three more decades. Please consider options that improve our economy by keeping those dollars and jobs in our state. The contract he wants to sign does nothing to keep IMEA from sending even more jobs out of state. He mentions bonds will be paid off soon but it's naive to think that IMEA will not issue new bonds as soon as we sign because their largest plant will shut down about half of its capacity three years into the contract and at least 50% of IMEA's current generation will be decommissioned 10 years before the end of the contract. On June 3, the councilman and all other members voted unanimously for a 'series of workshops on the long-term energy options.' We expect the councilman to stand by his vote and rigorously evaluate different options, rather than shortcutting the process and short-changing speeches, picnics, time with our families and fireworks are events commonly associated with the Fourth of July. But this year, when challenges to our government's checks and balances established by our founders are being reported almost daily, we invited our members to reflect on the meaning of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the United States government. Here are a few of the heartfelt responses to two questions. What does democracy mean to you? How can we protect our democracy? As you celebrate with your family and friends this Fourth of July, we hope you will take a moment to celebrate the importance of our democracy and the value of our Constitution and reflect on what you can do to defend our democracy.
Chicago Tribune
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville councilman McBroom, DuPage GOP, Awake Illinois battle District 203 over transgender female athletes
Naperville City Councilman Josh McBroom and DuPage County Republicans are among those attacking Naperville School District 203 over a junior high track meet at which it's claimed one of the winning athletes was a transgender girl. In a case that has evoked hundreds of online comments and national media attention, Naperville-based Awake Illinois Monday filed a federal Title IX complaint against the district with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. 'Some of the girls were left in tears (at the May 14 track meet),' McBroom wrote in a May 16 post on his Naperville City Council Facebook page. 'And parents are speaking out — not from a political place, but as concerned moms and dads who care deeply about fairness for our daughters.' He also made it a city issue by questioning why the Naperville office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a department he has advocated for dissolving, did not speak out about the situation because 'residents deserve to see action when it matters most.' But it's also a subject that elicited support from area residents and the LGBTQ+ population and advocates, many of whom attended Monday's night's Naperville District 203 School Board meeting to laud the district for not yielding to the criticism. The situation is the latest in a series of complaints in Chicago and the suburbs centered on transgender students. Last month, Awake Illinois lodged similar allegations against Valley View District 365-U, which inspired passionate pleas in support of LGBTQ+ youth at a school board meeting for the Bolingbrook-Romeoville district. Chicago Public Schools and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 have also been subject to federal complaints over the past few months. Allegations against District 203 are tied to a junior high track meet held at Naperville North High School last week. Videos started circulating on social media of a Naperville student athlete winning events at the event alongside claims that she should not have competed in the girls' division. Posts have garnered thousands of views and hundreds of comments. In response, DuPage County Republicans on May 15 posted a statement on its Facebook page maintaining that female athletes 'should be allowed to compete fairly and safely in their desired sports.' As part of the statement, the local GOP linked to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February under which transgender athletes are banned from participating in girls' and women's sports. On the same day, Awake Illinois weighed in, noting on social media that it was prepared to file a federal civil rights complaint against District 203, which the group made good on four days later. At the core of Awake's complaint is that District 203 is in violation of 'current Title IX protections.' Title IX is a 1972 law forbidding discrimination based on sex in education. Last year, the Biden administration finalized new rules expanding the law to also prevent discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Those added provisions, however, were struck down nationwide in January after a federal judge in Kentucky found they overstepped the president's authority. McBroom spoke out on the situation on May 16 via Facebook. 'So here's my question: Where is the (city of Naperville's) DEI department now? Is its role just to host workshops and 'conversations'? Will it speak out on this issue?' McBroom wrote in his post. 'Will it engage the community? Or will it stay silent?' McBroom has not been shy about his skepticism of the city's DEI department. He has questioned the city's spending on DEI amid discussions over how Naperville will account for the $6.5 million in annual revenue it stands to lose when the state's grocery tax sunsets next year. In a guest column in the Naperville Sun last fall, McBroom wrote, 'Sharpening the pencil on the city budget is certainly in order and DEI should be on the short list of where to tighten.' Reached by phone, McBroom deferred to his Facebook post and declined further comment. Requests for comment from the city were not returned. In his post, McBroom also called on school boards and district leadership to 'lead.' 'Protect the girls in our schools. Step up. Take a stand. … We are watching. And we're waiting,' he wrote. The situation was also discussed in a segment of Fox News' America Reports Monday. People flooded the District 203 School Board meeting Monday night to speak for and against transgender student athletes and to denounce those who were sharing the student's identity and photo on social media. 'The use of a student's image, likeness or name to further a political agenda is abhorrent and unacceptable,' said Amanda Zigterman, parent of two District 203 students. 'Essentially, it is bullying on a local and national stage by adults who should know better.' But other parents and community activists were vocally opposed to biological males competing in sporting events against girls, saying it creates an unfair playing field and should not be allowed. 'What is the acceptable amount of genetic boys allowed to participate in girls sports divisions?' parent Jason Copeland said. 'If the answer is anything other than zero, that person isn't qualified to be on a board overseeing the protection and education of children at any level in this district.' More than 30 residents and community activists voiced their opinions for about 90 minutes. On one side of the room, audience members held up neon yellow signs with messages that included 'Protect Girls Sports,' 'Support Common Sense' and 'Defend Title IX.' The other side was filled with people waving flags supporting transgender and LGBTQ+ rights, wearing Naper Pride shirts and 'ally' buttons, and holding signs advocating for inclusion. Roughly two-thirds of the speakers voiced their support for the right of transgender students to compete in sports and criticizing those who would turn a child into a political pawn by spreading their image on social media. 'It's not just wrong. It is harmful,' Jon O'Toole said. 'As a person of faith, we are called to love our neighbors, to speak for the vulnerable and to make space at the table for everybody. That includes trans kids. Kids should be able to show up as their bold true selves, on the field, in the classroom, in their communities.' Playing sports is about teamwork, confidence and belonging, he added, and everyone deserves that chance. 'This is not about politics,' O'Toole said. 'This is about people. This is about a child who just wants to play with their friends and be accepted for who they are. We should be working to lift that child up and protect all students, not single them out for harm. Trans kids aren't up for debate. They are not a threat. They are not a problem that needs to be solved.' Parent Tim Thompson, father of two children, said he appreciated that the school board was upholding state law and allowing transgender students to compete. District 203 should be lauded for its support of inclusivity and not cowed into bending its beliefs by civil rights complaints. 'This is just another in a long list of ways that they are attacking and devaluing public education,' he said. '… Don't be fooled. It was never about a race. It was never about an athlete. This is an attempt to further marginalize a group and tell them they don't belong, that they aren't good enough.' Other speakers, however, said it's not fair to expect girls to compete against biological boys in sporting events. A student who was born male should not be able to take away girls' achievements, hard work and effort, they said. Parent Doug MacGregor noted that some parents spend thousands of dollars on sports coaches, training and camps for their daughters only to face unfair competiton due to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 'When their daughter steps up for her chance to win a state championship or medal, she'll lose to a biological male,' he said. 'That once in a lifetime moment gone because of DEI's political agenda.' Parent Jenny George said there are clear disparities between male and female athletes. Her son, a high school track athlete, would rank first in girls' categories but is in the 300s when competing against boys, she said. 'Your job is to represent every student in this district, but you have turned your back on half of them,' George said. 'Women's sports exist to offer a competitive space for female athletes. When males enter those spaces in competition, it is women and girls who are pushed out — out of races, out of records and out of recognition. This is not progress. This is a huge step backwards.' Naperville resident Shannon Adcock, founder of Awake Illinois, said her organization is fighting for fairness and to uphold protections provided through Title IX. 'Now in 2025, you've got boys stealing girls' victories, leaving young girls sobbing on the track,' she said 'This isn't inclusion, it's oppression.' Adcock said she would like to see the $8.9 million the district receives in federal funding frozen until it abides by Title IX. The school board did not address the public comments, and no item was on the agenda related to its policies regarding transgender athletes. District officials declined comment after the meeting. A District 203 spokesperson also declined to comment, saying in an email, 'Please know that the district is committed to protecting the privacy of all students. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and district policy, we cannot and will not share personal or identifiable information about any student without appropriate consent.' The district adheres to the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Illinois State Board of Education guidance, they said, 'which prohibit discrimination in schools and ensure full and equal access to programs and services regardless of gender identity or other protected characteristics.'
Phone Arena
20-05-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
T-Mobile gets a green light to build 190-Foot cell tower despite resident pushback
Despite residents' opposition to T-Mobile's plan that we told you about some weeks ago, the telco moves ahead to build a new 190-foot cell tower in Naperville. T-Mobile is preparing to remove its long-standing equipment from a 160-foot water tower in Naperville due to a 2018 ordinance aimed at phasing out private infrastructure on public property. For 25 years, the carrier had been leasing space on a city-owned water tower, but it must remove its equipment by this anticipation of this deadline, the company proposed relocating its antennas and other infrastructure to a freestanding tower near the same site. The plan was reviewed by the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission in March. During that meeting, some residents voiced concerns about potential impacts on property values and the perceived risks of radio frequency (RF) emissions. Despite the objections, the commission gave the proposal a favorable recommendation, forwarding it to the city council for final a recent city council meeting, members voted 8-1 to approve both the conditional-use permit for the new tower and the lease agreement between the city and T-Mobile . Councilman Josh McBroom was the only member to oppose the plan. As a resident of the neighborhood affected by the new tower, he had been approached by many constituents who expressed reservations about the while acknowledging the vital role of cell towers in modern communications, appeared to be conflicted about the issue. He recognized the increasing demand for reliable mobile data and streaming services but was also mindful of concerns about health and real estate. He believed that the visual presence of a large tower could deter potential homebuyers, especially those hesitant to live near such infrastructure. Image by PhoneArena T-Mobile representatives reassured city officials that the proposed tower would meet all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) safety standards. The company emphasized that the tower was essential to maintaining reliable mobile coverage, especially since most emergency calls now originate from cell phones. Reliable service was also described as crucial for residents who depend on mobile connectivity not just for communication, but for streaming and access to other digital services. Now that the project has been approved, T-Mobile is expected to proceed with the tower's construction. The move will help ensure uninterrupted service for its customers in Naperville and could potentially support additional carriers in the future, as discussions with AT&T and Verizon about co-locating on the structure have already begun.
