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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pritzker's signature next step in Sterling's bid to land millions in Riverfront Reimagined investment
Jun. 5—STERLING — Sterling is one step closer to receiving a designation that could provide up to $50 million in tax incentives for economic development work the city already has started along its riverfront. ExpandAutoplay Image 1 of 5 Sterling is close to a designation that could provide a tax incentive on Riverfront Park. Construction is underway Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Alex T. Paschal) Sterling Mayor Diana Merdian told Shaw Local that although House Bill 1919, which the city's lobbyist, Matt Hughes of MRH Solutions, advocated for earlier this year, did not pass its third reading in the Illinois Senate, its language has been included as part of the state's omnibus budget package, House Bill 2755. The state's fiscal 2026 budget comprises three components: the state operating budget, a budget implementation bill and the revenue omnibus bill. The Illinois House and Senate on Saturday, May 31, approved all three bills just hours before the midnight deadline for the end of the spring session. The Illinois House approved HB 2755 with a vote of 71-43, followed by the Senate's approval with a vote of 31-25. The bill is now headed to Gov. JB Pritzker for approval. In a news release issued by Pritzker on Sunday, June 1, he indicated that he intends to sign the state budget before the fiscal year begins Tuesday, July 1. Once the state's budget is signed, Sterling officially will receive the River Edge Redevelopment Zone designation. "The passage of the fiscal 2026 balanced budget is a testament to Illinois' fiscal responsibility," Pritzker said. "Even in the face of [President Donald] Trump and congressional Republicans stalling the national economy, our state budget delivers for working families without raising their taxes while protecting the progress we are making for our long-term fiscal health. "I'm grateful to [House] Speaker [Chris] Welch, [Senate] President [Don] Harmon, the budget teams, and all the legislators and stakeholders who collaborated to shape and pass this legislation. I look forward to signing my seventh balanced budget in a row and continuing to build a stronger Illinois." According to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, once a city is designated, certain areas are allocated as a "River Edge Redevelopment Zone." The RERZ program provides investors and municipalities that are eligible with several tax incentives, including property tax abatements and sales tax exemptions. In Sterling's case, it would assist in redevelopment along the Rock River. Merdian said that without the designation and those tax incentives, the city's riverfront redevelopment work would be almost "impossible" to complete. "I have been working to secure this designation for nearly my entire term, and I know a lot of people did not think it would be possible," Merdian said. "It wasn't easy, but one of the things we do here is we work hard to do what's best for this community." Merdian said once Pritzker signs the bill, the city will need to fill out an application with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "That is, we have to have a map, we have to have a public hearing," Merdian said. "We have to have the ordinance, or the information that stays up for so many days, and we have to have everything on the national registry." Hughes lobbied for both HB 1919 and Senate Bill 1309 as part of his strategy to help Sterling secure its designation. Merdian and Hughes recruited help from Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, and Sen. Michael Halpin, D-Rock Island, who filed the bills in January. In February, Hughes advised the Sterling City Council that both bills needed to advance out of committee by March 21 and pass both chambers by April 11. The city of Alton was later added to the legislation, following recommendations from West. Merdian told Sterling's Riverfront Reimagined Commission on April 2 that the bill had cleared both subcommittees and was likely to be wrapped into the state's budget package, "where similar bills go." Among the "nay" votes for HB 2755 were state Reps. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon; Tony McCombie, R-Savanna; and Amy Elik, R-Alton — all of whom co-sponsored HB 1919. State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, who co-sponsored Senate Bill 1309 — Sterling's backup bill should HB 1919 fail — also voted against HB 2755. Shaw Local reached out to each of them for comment. "I was chief co-sponsor on HB 1919 because it directly affected a community in my district, Alton, which was added to the bill as another Redevelopment Zone community," Elik said when responding to Shaw Local's request for comment. "The bill that passed both chambers, which I voted against, HB 2755, eventually included language for Alton and Sterling, but also raised taxes by nearly $1 billion, and I have promised my constituents I would not vote for a tax increase. "In the waning hours of session, we often see omnibus bills that include language from many other bills, and although I support the language in the much smaller and more concise HB 1919, I could not support the massive tax increases in the significantly larger HB 2755, which will hurt communities across my district and the state." Fritts provided Shaw Local with the following response: "It's simple. I voted against HB 2755 because it was not just granting the city of Sterling's River Edge designation, but it was the entire fiscal 2026 revenue package with multiple tax increases. I would have proudly voted yes if this designation was in its own bill, like the originally filed HB 1919. Because of this deceptive tactic utilized by the majority party, I stood united alongside my state senator, Li Arellano, and voted no without hesitation. "Let me be clear: I will not vote in favor of a tax increase on the hardworking men and women of my district, even if that means also voting no on a local project that was shoved into an over 1,000-page bill. The process of putting multiple bills into one has to stop. It's just bad governance, and the people of Illinois deserve better." McCombie, who is House minority leader, agreed with Fritts in her budget vote response. "Speaker Welch said the quiet part out loud: tax-and-spend Democrats are thriving in Illinois ... at the expense of Illinois families," she wrote. "Rather than pursuing meaningful structural reforms to secure our state's future, Democrats chose to prioritize politician pay raises, steal from the rainy-day fund, and funnel money into their own pork projects." Arellano issued his response Sunday. "Illinois Democrats have just rammed through the largest and most reckless budget in our state's history: over $55 billion in spending, passed with zero transparency, minimal debate and no regard for the taxpayers who are footing the bill," he wrote. "This isn't leadership. It's political corruption, plain and simple, snuck in during a midnight vote. "To make matters worse, they're hitting working families with nearly a billion dollars in new taxes. Democrats keep demanding more from you while delivering less. Less public safety. Fewer job opportunities. Less economic growth. "This budget is not just bloated, it's dishonest and irresponsible. It's a slap in the face to the very people who keep this state afloat. I voted no because I refuse to stand by while one-party rule continues to drain our state to prop up its political machine."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sauk Valley's favorite businesses honored at Mad Water Saloon
May 16—DIXON — Business owners and members of the Shaw Local team gathered at Dixon's Mad Water Saloon on Thursday to celebrate the Sauk Valley's favorite businesses of 2025. Shaw Local's Sauk Valley Favorites 2025 contest drew more than 67,000 votes, resulting in 5,166 nominations for more than 1,400 businesses in 100 categories, as residents across the Sauk Valley region cast their ballots to honor their favorite local businesses and services. "When we first envisioned Sauk Valley Favorites, we had hoped that it would become a way to spotlight the incredible local businesses that make this community special, but the response that we received was bigger than our wildest expectations," Sauk Valley Media's Publisher Jennifer Heintzelman said. Shaw Local held a similar "Reader's Choice" contest in the past, but decided to harness the power of its combined news and radio audience to create an all-encompassing contest highlighting the community's "hidden gems." The process began last November, when nominations were opened across more than 110 categories through January, including Home Services, Auto Service, Food & Beverage, Professional Services, Health & Beauty, Local Arts, Leisure & Entertainment and Local Retail. Each category featured a top-voted 'Favorite' business, with additional honorees recognized as 'One of the Favorites.' The following is a list of the 'Favorite' businesses: Auto Sales Service & Equipment Favorite Auto Body Shop: Slim-N-Hanks Favorite Auto Repair: Moore Tires Favorite Car Wash: Huffman Car Wash Favorite Farm Equipment Dealer: Peabudy's Favorite Gas Station: Casey's Favorite Lawn/Yard Equipment Dealer: Ace Hardware & Outdoor Center — Dixon Favorite Place for an Oil Change: Palmyra Pines Auto Service Favorite Place to Buy Tires: Moore Tires Favorite Wrecker/Towing Service: Dabney Services LLC Food & Beverage Favorite Bakery: Aurelio's Bake Shop Favorite Banquet Facility: Deer Valley Banquets Favorite Bar/Tavern: Lisa's Brick House Bar & Grill Favorite Bartender: Mateo Martinez — LUXX The Restaurant Favorite Caterer: Back Road Bar-B-Q Favorite Deli: Arthur's Garden Deli Favorite Food Truck: Main Squeeze Favorite Liquor Store: Liquor 'N' Wine Favorite Place for a First Date: LUXX The Restaurant Favorite Place for a Shake: Culver's Favorite Place for a Steak: LUXX The Restaurant Favorite Place for Bloody Mary: Lisa's Brick House Bar & Grill Favorite Place for Breakfast: Eggs in Paradise Favorite Place for Brunch: Fresco on First Favorite Place for Chicken: Candlelight Inn Favorite Place for Coffee: Coffee Crush Favorite Place for Dessert: Meusel's Dairy Delite Favorite Place for Hamburgers: Shamrock Pub Favorite Place for Ice Cream: Meusel's Dairy Delite Favorite Place for Lunch: Kelly's Favorite Place for Margarita's: Kelly's Favorite Place for Martinis: Bartini's Favorite Place for Mexican Food: Kelly's Favorite Place for Pizza: Angelo's Favorite Place for Seafood: Luxx The Restaurant Favorite Place for Tacos: La Laguna Favorite Place for Wings: JW's 3rd Base Favorite Place to Buy Meat: The Butcher Shop Favorite Restaurant: Kelly's Favorite Salad Bar: Angelo's Health & Beauty Favorite Assisted Living Facility: Resthave Care & Rehabilitation Favorite Barbershop: Ben's Phresh Kutz Favorite Beauty Salon: B'lush Salon Favorite Chiropractic Clinic: Kirkland Family Chiropractic Center Favorite Dental Clinic: Amboy Dental Group Favorite Fitness Center: Grit & Grace Fitness Favorite Home Health Care Agency: Rock River Hospice & Home Favorite Massage/Day Spa: Relax with Sarah Favorite Nursing Home: Heritage Square Favorite Place to get a Manicure/Pedicure: Nails By Victoria Garcia Favorite Place to Purchase Eyeglasses: CGH Vision Center Favorite Yoga Studio: Rhuomai Studio Home Services Favorite Contractor/Carpenter: Boss Roofing — Siding Experts Favorite Electrician: Weaver Electric Favorite Fencing Company: Sterling Fence & Deck Favorite Flooring Company: Brothers Flooring Favorite Garage Door Installer: Grizzly Garage Door Favorite Greenhouse/Nursery: Selmi's Favorite Heating/Cooling Contractor: Farley's Appliance Sales and Services Favorite Landscape Contractor: Dravis Landscape Favorite Lumber Company: Frary Lumber Favorite Pest Control: Pest Control Consultants Favorite Plumber: SPK Plumbing & Heating Favorite Roofing Company: TCS, Total Construction Services Favorite Tree Service Provider: Cole's Complete Tree Service Local Arts, Leisure, & Entertainment Favorite Campground: Crow Valley Campground Favorite Church and Where: Immanuel Lutheran Dixon Favorite Community Event: Petunia Fest Favorite Dance Studio: Eastman School of Dance Favorite Event Venue: Dixon Elks Lodge 779 Favorite Golf Course: Deer Valley Golf Club Favorite Local Politician: Joe McDonald Favorite Local Radio Personality: Sam Ramirez — River Country Favorite Local Radio Station: River Country 101.7 Favorite Park: Lowell Park Favorite Photographer: You In Photos By Nanc Inc. Favorite Place for Lotto Tickets: Casey's Favorite Place to Play Slots: Abby's Favorite Place to Take Kids: Selmi's Favorite Recreation Spot: Plum Hollow Family Center Local Retail Favorite Antique Shop: Showplace Antiques & Treasures Favorite Appliance Store: Farley's Appliance Sales and Services Favorite Convenience Store: Casey's Favorite Furniture Store: Harold's Furniture Favorite Gift Store: Golden Key Gifts & Candle Co. Favorite Hardware Store: Ace Hardware & Outdoor Center — Dixon Favorite Jewelry Store: Venier Jewelers Inc. Favorite Pet Supply Store: PetSmart — Sterling Favorite Place to Buy Flowers/Plants: Lundstrom Florist Favorite Place to Buy Men's Clothing: Kaleel's Clothing & Printing Favorite Place to Buy Shoes: Shoe Sensation Favorite Place to Buy Women's Clothing: Mud & Moo Boutique Favorite Second Hand/Resale Shop: Angel Treasures Professional Services Favorite Auctioneer: Youngs Auction Service Favorite Bank: Sauk Valley Bank Favorite Children's Daycare: Dixon Family YMCA, Lovett Child Development Center Favorite Credit Union: Select Employees Credit Union Favorite Divorce Attorney: Darla Foulker — Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC Favorite Financial Planner: Edward Jones Favorite Funeral Home: McDonald Funeral Home & Crematory Favorite Insurance Agency: State Farm Favorite Insurance Agent: Chris Hammitt — State Farm Favorite Law Firm: Law Office of Paul Whitcombe Favorite Pet Groomer: Furology Pet Spa Favorite Real Estate Agent: Shawney Evans — Sauk Valley Properties Favorite Real Estate Company: Sauk Valley Properties Favorite Tanning Salon: Westwood Fitness & Sports Center Favorite Tattoo Shop: Raven Tattoo Favorite Tax Preparer: Wiemken's Tax Service Favorite Travel Agency: Destinations Travel Services Favorite Veterinary Clinic: River Ridge Animal Hospital
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coloma Township Board votes to sell former US Bank building amid rising costs
Apr. 11—ROCK FALLS — The Coloma Township Board and township residents unanimously voted at their annual township meeting Tuesday to sell the former US Bank building the township bought two years ago. The board blamed escalating costs to upgrade it for township use and maintenance and accessibility costs as the main reasons for selling the still vacant building at 300-302 First Ave. in Rock Falls. Township residents at the meeting also were allowed to participate in the voice vote on the measure because the vote took place during the annual meeting. "We're going to be lucky to get what we put into it," said Becky Williamson, who has served as township clerk but was elected to the board as a trustee at the April 1 consolidated election. The building costs the township about $60,000 annually to own and it would cost about $40,000 to complete the needed renovations to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and up to code, said Coloma Township Supervisor Kristine Dobbs. Already, the township's former leadership took out two lines of credit totaling $200,000 to pay for earlier renovations and "they used most of it," leaving about $1,000 available for use, Dobbs said. Another problem is its size, according to township board members. The two-story building is 15,616 square feet and includes a lobby area, general office area, private offices, teller windows, public restrooms, a bank vault and a break room with a large on-site parking lot. "It's a very large building for a small township to have," Dobbs said, adding that the township doesn't have the staff needed to fill it. The initial plan for the US Bank When the Coloma Township Board purchased the building in February 2023 for $250,000, then-Township Supervisor Sindy Sotelo had hoped to use the building for township offices and expand community services by adding a lending library, a community garden, a thrift store, and an arts and crafts workroom. In a letter to residents, township board members at the time of the purchase said the property was accessible to people with disabilities but would need about $10,000 to fix the roof and between $25,000 and $50,000 to rewire the electrical system. Current Coloma Township Board members said other problems came into play soon after the township bought the building, not just the cost to bring it up to code. Another was that the township failed to file the proper paperwork for tax exemption, ended up paying taxes it wouldn't have needed to and was charged more because the taxes were paid after the due date, board members said. The building was to be exempt from property taxes as a government building. But, in this case, the township failed to submit the required forms before the due date and ended up paying a property tax bill of $7,968.88 in 2024, according to Whiteside County tax bill information. Sotelo has declined three requests from Shaw Local for an interview. She did provide written statements via text message and a copy of her resignation letter. "Last year we had to pay a portion of the taxes for the new building, which was a couple thousand when the paperwork must have gotten lost," Sotelo wrote in a text message. Another problem is the bank building has not been able to open for township use. Once the building purchase was complete, the structure still needed several repairs before the city of Rock Falls could issue a certificate of occupancy. Rock Falls Building Inspector Mark Searing sent a letter to Sotelo on Jan. 8, 2024, reminding her of that after he was notified that the township "intends or has already begun occupying the building for its general purposes, including holding public meetings at the location." Those repairs included electrical upgrades, a nonworking elevator and missing ceiling tiles, Searing wrote. The letter goes on to say, "You must not occupy the building for any purposes ... until an occupancy certificate is issued." The first building permit was issued Feb. 20, 2024. The permit was for replacing the drop ceiling, erecting a wall and installing two commercial doors, according to a copy of the permit. Another permit was issued March 26, 2024, also for remodeling. It included adding an interior window and a door, according to the permit. The next month, permits were issued on April 11 and 29. The first was for electrical upgrades to bring the wiring up to code and the second was for installing exit lights, according to the permits. Thomas Houck, vice president and architect at Willett Hofmann & Associates, an engineering consultant in Dixon, completed a required code review on Sept. 27, 2024. Included was a letter, addressed to Sotelo, listing several issues with the building that needed to be resolved before an occupancy certificate could be issued. They included the need for the required number of handicap parking spaces, property signage for accessible entrances and changes to the second-floor bathroom to make it accessible. In the wake of Tuesday night's decision, the township now will get the building appraised before it lists it for sale. State statute mandates the township sell the building for at least 80% of its market value.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Election 2025: 5 races we are watching in Whiteside, Lee counties
Apr. 1—DIXON — Sauk Valley-area voters headed to their polling places Tuesday to choose who will represent them on city, school, park, library and township boards. After the polls close at 7 p.m., visit the Sterling Gazette/Dixon Telegraph's website for election night coverage and updates on the races. Here are five local races we are watching: Rock Falls City Council Ward 2: Running for a four-year term, Brian Snow — who has held his seat for more than two decades — is going up against former 4th Ward Alderman Marshall Doane. Snow was first elected to his 2nd Ward seat in 2005 and has been reelected four times. Doane ran for a four-year 4th Ward seat in 2021 against Violet Sobottka. Doane lost the election but was appointed to a two-year term as the second 4th Ward representative alongside Sobottka. He resigned in 2022 after purchasing a home outside 4th Ward boundaries, Doane said in an interview with Shaw Local. Doane has lived in Rock Falls almost his entire life and works as a logistics coordinator with Riverside Logistics in Sterling. He also owns his own business, Phoenix Wicks Candle Co. Rock Falls City Council Ward 3: In the 3rd Ward, also running for a four-year term, incumbent Steve Dowd will face off against newcomers Mary McNeill and Austin Zink. Dowd, a retired Northwestern Steel and Wire worker, was first elected in 2021 by defeating 12-year incumbent Jim Schuneman. Newcomer Zink is a 25-year-old looking to get more young people involved in the city. He will be graduating from Northern Illinois University in May and works at Anne's Garden Center in Dixon, Zink said in an interview with Shaw Local. He has lived in Rock Falls his whole life and is a Rock Falls High School and Sauk Valley Community College graduate. Sterling City Council At-Large seats: In the running for two four-year alderman-at-large positions on Sterling's City Council are incumbents Jim Wise and Kaitlyn Ekquist as well as two newcomers, Ryan Nares and Allen Przysucha. Wise was first elected to the council in 2017 and was reelected in 2021 to serve his current four-year term. Ekquist was first elected to the council in 2021 for her current term. Nares is a business owner who in October opened The Mercantile, 117 W. Third St. in Sterling, with his wife Ashley Nares. The couple also own Nares Event Co. and 'Til Death Photo and Film. Przysucha currently serves on the Sterling planning commission and as a youth committee member for Sterling Township. He is also a board member at United Way of Whiteside County and is a member of the Sterling Noon Rotary Club. Dixon Township highway commissioner: Incumbent Corey Reuter is running against newcomer Cameron Magne. Reuter has been involved in township government for almost 20 years. He first started as a part-time employee at Dixon Township in 2006 and has held the position of highway commissioner for the past five years. Magne has worked for the city of Dixon for 13 years and currently serves as the general foreman in the water department. The Whiteside County Public Safety Sales Tax: Whiteside County voters are once again being asked to consider a countywide sales tax to help fund emergency dispatch services. Residents were asked in November to consider the same 0.5% public safety sales tax but the measure failed after 65.85% of voters said no. If approved, the sales tax would add an additional 50 cents for every $100 that shoppers spend on general merchandise in Whiteside County. The tax would not apply to groceries or items that must be titled or registered by a state agency, including watercraft, aircraft, trailers, mobile homes, qualifying drugs (including over-the-counter medications and vitamins) and medical appliances. Amy Robbins, the county administrator for Whiteside County, said dispatch services cost $1.8 million annually to operate. Outside of radio surcharges, the county and the cities of Sterling and Rock Falls foot the bill. Robbins said there is a deficit of about $500,000 each year. If Whiteside County voters approve the tax, cities would not have to pay to cover the services, and the money that Sterling and Rock Falls now spend for 911 services could possibly remain in their general funds for other uses. If the tax does not pass, cities throughout the county would have to pay for services. The tax is estimated to raise an annual $2 million that could only be used for matters of public safety. Any funds left over would be used to buy equipment and radio and software upgrades while allowing for multiagency interaction.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sauk Valley Voter Guide for the April 1, 2025 election
Mar. 30—This spring, Sauk Valley voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. Early voting has started with voting to conclude on Election Day, April 1. Below are all competitive races in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties with candidate questionnaires and coverage as available. This voter guide will be updated if additional candidates submit their questionnaires and more coverage completed. [ Listen: "Talk Line with Steve Marco previews the April 1 election in the Sauk Valley with Shaw Local" ] Table of Contents Municipalities * City of Amboy * City of Byron * City of Dixon * City of Fulton * City of Lanark * City of Oregon * City of Polo * City of Prophetstown * City of Rock Falls * City of Sterling * Village of Albany * Village of Ashton * Village of Chadwick * Village of Creston * Village of Forreston * Village of Franklin Grove * Village of Lee * Village of Lyndon * Village of Milledgeville * Village of Nelson * Village of Paw Paw * Village of Shannon Townships * Ashton Township * Byron Township * Cherry Grove-Shannon Township * Coloma Township * Dement Township * Dixon Township * Freedom Township * Genesee Township * Hahnaman Township * Leaf River Township * Lynnville Township * Marion Township * Mt. Carroll Township * Mt. Morris Township * Nelson Township * Newton Township * Oregon-Nashua Township * Portland Township * Reynolds Township * Salem Township * Ustick Township * Wyoming Township Library Districts * Earlville Public Library School Districts * Amboy School District 272 * Ashton-Franklin Center School District 275 * Byron School District 226 * Dixon School District 170 * Geneseo School District 228 * Hiawatha School District 426 * Meridian School District 223 * Paw Paw School District 271 * Pearl City School District 200 * Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District 3 * River Bend School District 2 * Rochelle Elementary School District 231 * Rochelle Township High School District 212 * Sterling School District 5 * West Carroll School District 314 College Districts * Black Hawk Community College * Highland Community College * Rock Valley College * Sauk Valley Community College Fire Districts * Prophetstown Fire Protection District Referendums * Whiteside County safety sales tax referendum * Close Ohio High School * Establish Flewellin Memorial Library District * New Leaf River Fire Protection District property tax levy * Mt. Moris Fire Protection District's $4.5 million referendum MUNICIPALITIES City of Amboy Alderperson Ward 3, One two-year term Jeffrey Parker Luke Christoffersen (write-in) City of Byron Alderperson Ward 4 Mittzi Fulrath (incumbent) Orlando Dowell Kelly Neslund City of Dixon City Council member, Vote for 2 Dennis H. Considine Chris Bishop Listen to an interview with Bishop on our podcast or read the transcript. Listen to an interview with Considine on our podcast or read the transcript. City of Fulton Mayor Shane Michael Malone Keith King (Mayor pro tem) City of Lanark Mayor Mark Macomber (incumbent) Jerene Rogan Alderperson Ward 3 James Plock Keenan Dickman (write-in) City of Oregon Council member, Vote for 2 Kurtis Wilson (incumbent) Timothy Krug (incumbent) Josiah Flanagan City of Polo Mayor Mark Scholl Douglas E. Knapp (incumbent) Alderperson Ward 2 Jeffrey Short James Busser (incumbent) City of Prophetstown Mayor Bruce Franks John Leoni City of Rock Falls Alderperson Ward 2, One four-year term Brian Snow (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire Marshall Doane: Candidate questionnaire Listen to our podcast for an interview with Doane or read the transcript. Vickey Byrd is running unopposed for a two-year term in Ward 2. Alderperson Ward 3 Steven Dowd (incumbent) Mary McNeill Austin Zink Listen to Dowd on our podcast or read the transcript. Listen to Zink on our podcast or read the transcript. Alderperson Ward 4 Violet L. Sobottka: Candidate questionnaire City of Sterling Alderperson at-Large, Vote for 2 Ryan Nares Allen Przysucha: Candidate questionnaire Kaitlyn Ekquist (incumbent) Jim Wise (incumbent) Our coverage: "Forum brings together Sterling City Council candidates" Listen to our podcast: Interviews with Wise, Nares and Przysucha. Village of Albany Village President Jerry Anglese (incumbent) John "Jack" Seifert Trustee, Vote for 3 Joyce M. Tegeler (incumbent) Richard "Floyd" Boston (incumbent) Robert Griffis Pamela L. Piersol (incumbent) Timothy Alan McDonald Robert J. Brashaw Jr. Village of Ashton Village President Tim Henert (incumbent) John Martinez Village of Chadwick Village President Kimberly Hinrichs (incumbent) Matthew Balsiger Trustee, 2-Year Term Vote for 3 Rick Bosacki (incumbent) Michael Morgan (incumbent) Dannielle Augustine-Heidenreich Dana Lunsford Rebecca Schultz, Robert J. Wyeth (incumbent) and Teri Schnitzler are running for three open full four-year terms. Village of Creston Trustee, Vote for 2 Curt Ward (incumbent) Justin Hibshman Larry Harris (write-in) Greg Hopkins is running unopposed for a two-year term. Village of Forreston Trustee, Vote for 3 Vickye Norris (incumbent) Kenneth Toms Brittany Busker (incumbent) Mark Schweertman Mahmoud Zayed Jeff Freeze Village of Franklin Grove Village President Eric Grendahl John Nicholson Village of Lee Trustee, Vote for 3 Justin Post Mitchell D. Hamm Amber Otterstrom Garet Galbreath Village of Lyndon Mayor Tim Armstrong Tyler Scott (Mayor pro tem) Village of Milledgeville Village President Scott Howard Galen Wirth (incumbent) Village of Nelson Trustee, Vote for 3 Ann M. Devers (incumbent) Sherry L. Armoska (incumbent) Lu Ann Albus Susan Lewandowski (incumbent) Village of Paw Paw Trustee, Vote for 3 John Nicholson Karl "John" Karlsson Donna Chick (incumbent) Amanda Moorehead Austin Clanin Village of Shannon Village President Dawn Heckman Ryan Shaner Trustee, Vote for 3 Steven Miller Talia Allen Julie Harris Marcy Misiewicz (incumbent) TOWNSHIPS Ashton Township Trustee, Vote for 4 Terry Greenfield Mark Meurer Dan Hillison Levi Decker Sean Zellers Byron Township Highway Commissioner Mark Rundle (incumbent) Jordan D. Thibodeau Cherry Grove-Shannon Township Clerk Nicole Allen Kristin Derby Coloma Township Highway Commissioner Ruthie Rogers (incumbent) Wayne Eikenberry Trustee, Vote for 4 Becky Williamson Donna Ackland (incumbent) Marlene Detweiler-Flynn George Kelly Brian Stillman Our coverage: "Rock Falls' Coloma Township government unravels; supervisor, trustee, clerk abruptly resign" Dement Township Clerk Amy Kerns Angela K. Ward Dixon Township Highway Commissioner Corey Reuter (incumbent) Cameron Magne Our coverage: "Dixon's April election candidates speak on top priorities for upcoming terms" Freedom Township Clerk Amy Johnson Zackary Kloster Highway Commissioner Lonny Nielsen Ronald "Joe" Myers (incumbent) Genesee Township Supervisor Kenneth A. Reins (incumbent) Richard Koch Trustee, Vote for 4 Steve Elgin (incumbent) Shari Giffin Paul Giffin Theresa Koch Keith Engelkens Katie McCoy Hahnaman Township Highway Commissioner Logan Henrekin Harry Guither (incumbent) Leaf River Township Highway Commissioner Tyler Wiltfang Anthony Peterson (incumbent) Lynnville Township Highway Commissioner David Mayer Anthony Musselman Richard Drendel (incumbent) Marion Township (Ogle County) Highway Commissioner Nathan Summers Thomas Atchison Trustee, Vote for 4 Dana Werckle (incumbent) Douglas E. Boyd (incumbent) Arthur E. Smith (incumbent) William Hagemann Robert Behmer (incumbent) Mt. Carroll Township Highway Commissioner Jon Neuschwanger (incumbent) Marty Hockman Mt. Morris Township Supervisor Cary Bennett John Thompson (incumbent) Nelson Township Highway Commissioner Loren Brad Hirte Guy Covell (incumbent) Newton Township Highway Commissioner James V. Burden (incumbent) Ryon Richardson Oregon-Nashua Township Highway Commissioner Tim Leary (incumbent) Joseph T. Ring Portland Township Highway Commissioner Phillip Watkins (incumbent) Randy Rosenow Reynolds Township Highway Commissioner Albert Gittleson (incumbent) Adam Mairs Salem Township Highway Commissioner Mint J. Jilderda (incumbent) Cody R. Carson Ustick Township Highway Commissioner James Pell Randy Smit (incumbent) William Greeley Trustee, Vote for 4 Andrew Toppert (incumbent) Jim Pessman (incumbent) Josh Dykstra Albert Lewis (incumbent) Brent Stoecker Gale Toppert (incumbent) Wyoming Township Highway Commissioner Matthew Schoenholz Jared Penman Kenneth Mersman (incumbent) LIBRARY DISTRICTS Earlville Public Library Trustee, Vote for 3 Deborah Larson Kathleen Eager (incumbent) Mary Bender (incumbent) Stephanie Eller SCHOOL DISTRICTS Amboy School District 272 Board member, Vote for 4 Elsa K. Payne (incumbent) Mandy (Amanda) Powers (incumbent) Nicholas Brokaw (incumbent) Andrew Montavon (incumbent) Katie Pratt Rory R. White A two-year term is also up, but no one filed for it. Ashton-Franklin Center School District 275 Board member, Vote for 3 Aaron D. Baker Tiffany Willstead (incumbent) Cullen Searing Lea Henert (incumbent) Byron School District 226 Board member, Vote for 3 Christine Lynde (incumbent) Beth Shenberger (incumbent) Hannah Miller-Hosseini Jason D. Mondello Dixon School District 170 Board member, Vote for 4 Brandon Rogers Linda Wegner: Candidate questionnaire Jon Wadsworth Linda Leblanc-Parks Our coverage: "Dixon's April election candidates speak on top priorities for upcoming terms" Listen to an interview with Rogers on our podcast or read the transcript. Listen to an interview with Wadsworth on our podcast or read the transcript. Listen to an interview with Leblanc-Parks on our podcast or read the transcript. Geneseo School District 228 Board member, Vote for 4 Tyler J. Robertson (17N Range 3E) Casey Disterhoft (17N Range 3E) Jackie Mickley (17N Range 3E) (incumbent) Kane Causemaker (17N Range 4E) (incumbent) Only two can come from 17N Range 3E. Hiawatha School District 426 Board member representing Franklin Township, Vote for 2 Ralph Ziegler (incumbent) Andrew Lyons (incumbent) Norma Rutigliano (incumbent) No candidates have filed for an unexpired two-year term, and Timothy S. Hall (incumbent) is running unopposed for a full term representing the rest of the district. Meridian School District 223 Board member, 2-year term, Vote for 2 John W. Smith III (25N Range 11E) (incumbent) Tim M. DeVries (25N Range 11E) (incumbent) Board member, 4-year term, Vote for 4 Cassie Jennings (25N Range 11E) Roger Morrow (24N Range 11E) Jill L. Huber (24N Range 11E) (incumbent) Alyssa Behmer (24N Range 11E) Matthew Rhodes (41N Range 1E) (incumbent) Not more than two candidates can come from 25N Range 11E. Four-year terms will be determined first. Paw Paw School District 271 Board member, Vote for 4 Daniel Truckenbrod Steven B. Richey (incumbent) Joshua Sarver (incumbent) Jennifer Kern Anthony W. Corda Freeland Pearl City School District 200 Board member, Vote for 4 Chad Bremmer (incumbent) Nikki Keltner (incumbent) Carlee A. Tessendorf (incumbent) Samantha Kempel Thomas Brown Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District 3 Board member, Vote for 4 James Melton (incumbent) Mallory DeMay Whitney M. Mitchell-DeWitte (incumbent) Tya M. Boucher (incumbent) Katie Selburg An unexpired two-year term is also up this election but no candidate has filed in the race. River Bend School District 2 Board member, Vote for 3 Jane Orman-Luker (22N Range 3E) (incumbent) Kyle A. Folk (22N Range 3E) Daniel Portz (incumbent) Travis Temple Only one new board member may come from the 22N Range 3E area. Rochelle Elementary School District 231 Board member, Vote for 4 Evan Tracy (Incorporated) Ashley Jackson (Incorporated) (incumbent) Sara Harley (Incorporated) Stephanie White (Unincorporated) (incumbent) Stacey Dunphy (Unincorporated) Carol Salinas (Unincorporated) Only two can come from the incorporated area. Rochelle Township High School District 212 Board member, Vote for 4 Janet Kacvinsky Joel Thompson (incumbent) Martin W. Ravnaas Jr. (incumbent) Robert Chadwick (incumbent) Trisha Vaughn Sterling School District 5 Board member, Vote for 2 from Sterling Township 21N Range 7E Tyler Holesinger Julie K. Aitken (incumbent): Candidate questionnaire Savannah Mussington (incumbent) Two more board members will be elected from the remaining part of the district: Pamela G. Capes: Candidate questionnaire David Miller Our coverage: "From mental health to teacher retention, Sterling School Board candidates detail plans in run up to election" West Carroll School District 314 Board member, District 7 Morgan L. Murray (incumbent) Zachary Vandendooren Jeff Woodside is running unopposed in District 1, Juliene McCormick is unopposed in District 3 and Fredrick Tipton is unopposed in District 6. COLLEGE DISTRICTS Black Hawk Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 Douglas L. Strand (incumbent) Mark Carlson Jon A. Looney Dougal Nelson Highland Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 James G. Endress (incumbent) Shawn Boldt (incumbent) Gerald H. Podraza Colton Havens (write-in) Rock Valley College Trustee, Vote for 3 Paul Gorski (incumbent) Jerry Simmons Gloria Cardenas Cudia (incumbent) Richard Kennedy (incumbent) Jenna Goldsmith Sauk Valley Community College Trustee, Vote for 2 David Edelbach Tom Demmer (incumbent) Danelle Burrs (incumbent) Brian Duncan is running unopposed for an unexpired two-year term. FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS Prophetstown Fire Protection District Two-Year Term, Vote for 2 Valorie Armstrong (incumbent) Joe Pratt (incumbent) Jacob Stanhoff Keith Crady is running unopposed for a six-year term. REFERENDUMS Whiteside County safety sales tax referendum From the opinion page: "Sterling councilman: Support public safety sales tax vote April 1″ "Whiteside County sheriff: Support public safety sales tax when going to the polls April 1″ Close Ohio High School Our coverage: "Ohio residents ask about potential high school closure; question to be on April 1 ballot" Establish Flewellin Memorial Library District, expanding boundaries to include all of Shabbona Township and the village of Lee New Leaf River Fire Protection District property tax levy Mt. Morris Fire Protection District's $4.5 million referendum for a new fire station
