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SCENES FROM THE PARADE STERLING, A2
UNITED WAY FUND DRIVE OFF LEE AND RUNNING COUNTY, A3
WEEKEND ENTERPRISE | DIXON HIGH SCHOOL DECISION
Prep football? We’ve got you covered If you’re favorite Sauk Valley high school team was playing Friday night, we’ve got news for you! Look to the Friday Night Blitz in today’s edition for a wrapup of all of last night’s action.
VIDEO GAMBLING | REVENUES
Cities’ cut soars since ’12
School choices The fate of the current Dixon High School, and for plans for a new one, will be decided in next month’s election. But one outcome is certain: There will be a tax increase.
BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN • cheimerman@saukvalley.com • 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 • CHeimerman_SVM
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o matter what happens at the polls on Nov. 8, property taxes in the Dixon school district are going up this fall. Officials are asking the voters to approve spending $80.6 million – $71.2 million to build a new high school, and the rest for upgrades and repairs at the other schools. If the 20-year bond passes, it will cost the owner of a $100,000 home in the district, who now pays about $1,300 in taxes a year, about $460 more – a 35 percent increase. If the associated 1 percent sales tax hike passes, the hit will be a little less – about $365 annually, about a 28 percent increase. Sales tax revenue will come from anyone who buys certain goods anywhere in the county. If both referendums fail, district homeowners still will see a hike of about $215 annually, an increase of about 16.5 percent. That’s because the district then must issue bonds to pay for statemandated health/life safety repairs and upgrades at the current high school that must begin immediately and be completed withing 5 years. The district’s current tax rate, 4.6 cents per dollar, ranks 47th among 53 northwestern Illinois districts – including Byron and Erie, which have the lowest rates, thanks to taxes paid by nuclear power plants in their districts. If passed, the bond measure will increase that rate to 6.3 cents per dol-
A few showers
Michael Krabbenhoeft/ mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Kevin Schultz, director of buildings and grounds for Dixon Public Schools, talks about the high school’s exterior masonry during a tour last May. Schultz discussed exterior issues such as tuck pointing, windows, and pieces of stone that have fallen from above doorways.
On Pages A8-10 & A12
• Hear from those actively supporting and opposing building a new high school in Dixon • You have questions about the referendum. We have answers. lar, which would be 22nd-highest in the region. If it passes, the sales tax increase would put the rate at 6 cents, in the middle of the pack at 27th. Again, even if the referendum fails, the
Business
new rate of 5.4 cents will bring Dixon to 37th-highest. Those who support the referendum say building a new school is inevitable. If not done now, also inevitable will be inflation, which will add about 3 percent a year to the cost of the project, they say. No matter what happens at the polls, millions must be spent. The state-mandated, 10-year health/ life safety survey completed in May 2015 breaks the work needed into three phases: A-level fixes that must be done within a year to meet state school code, B-levels that must be done within 5 years, and C-level tasks that simply are recommendations. Altogether, the mandatory work will cost $22.9 million – money the district doesn’t need voter approval to borrow. “There will be an impact to our taxpayers, no matter what happens in November,” Superintendent Margo Empen said. “They think if they vote no, their taxes aren’t going to change at all. We’ve heard that over and over and over. “One way or another, something will happen in November. Is it the temporary Band-Aid, and your structure continues to age over time? Or is it going to be a new building?” An although the high school has dominated the dialogue, voters should know that passing the referendum also will put air conditioning in the district’s other schools, and add Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant cafeterias to its elementaries.
Community A look at sectional winners from the Sterling High School Orchestra See Page C12
State pockets $785M in gambling payout BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Data from industry experts and the state of Illinois show video gambling has generated about $785 million in state and local tax revenue since the machines were legalized 4 years ago. The Southern Illinoisan newspaper in Carbondale reports that the number of machines in Illinois establishments isn’t leveling off either – 5,600 businesses have them. Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association officials said the state brings in more than $22 million a month in gambling tax revenues that are to be dedicated to capital infrastructure projects. In the Sauk Valley, the cities’ share of the video gambling pot continues to provide a cushion for the general funds since the first distribution was booked in September 2012. When looking at its three largest cities – Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls – Dixon has seen the biggest windfall from gambling from its inception. In all three cities, the growth in volume and revenues has risen at a rapid pace since the first payments arrived. After the first full year of distributions, Dixon had 62 machines in 14 locations, and its share was $45,798.01. Dixon now has 121 machines in 28 places, and from September 2012 through August 2016, the city has received $631,881.63. In Rock Falls, year one brought in $26,005.30 from 26 machines in six establishments. The totals through last month show $376,175.12 in revenue for the city. The number of machines jumped to 84 at 18 sites. GAMBLING CONTINUED ON A5
Index Births................ C5
Lottery .............. A2
Business........... C1
Markets .......... A11
Classified .......... B7
Obituaries ......... A4
Comics ............. B6
Opinion............. A6
Community ..... C12
Scrapbook ....... C3
Crossword Saturday ........... B9
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 5 52 Pages
Today: 66/53 For the forecast, see Page A11
Smal Business Spotlight on Creative Kitchens & Bath in Sterling See Page C1
Crossword Sunday ............. C8
Sports .............. B1 Support groups .. C5 Travel .............. C10
Dave Ramsey ... C1
Weather.......... A11
Dear Abby ........ C6
Wheels ........... B12