The issue
The village set up a tax-increment financing district in December 1986 to revitalize its downtown by attracting new businesses and upgrading buildings and infrastructure. In May 2009, trustees brought up the idea of a one-year extension. Extending the TIF district for one more year would generate about $1.5 million, however, if the extension was granted, other taxing bodies would have to wait until the TIF expires to see any of the additional revenue.
What we knew
Village President Mike Kelly was not a fan of the extension, unless the board considered his compromise plan. Kelly proposed a plan that would take $2 million of the $2.7 million currently in the fund and distribute that money among the seven taxing bodies. The remaining $700,000 would stay in the TIF district. At the end of next year, the TIF district is projected to accumulate an additional $1.5 million, which then would be distributed among the taxing bodies.
What happened
An ordinance extending the TIF district’s expiration to Dec. 31, 2010 was passed with a 5-2 vote. Trustees John Kavouris and Frank Napolitano voted against the extension. The board also passed an ordinance declaring that the $2 million be directed to the affected taxing districts, as Kelly proposed. The board discussed that the remaining TIF money would not only be used for individual businesses, but also improvements to the TIF district that will benefit the entire village.
What’s next
The actual tax rates and the actual incremental taxes from the downtown TIF for levy year 2008 collected in 2009 will not be available from Cook County until November. Even so, village attorney Bryan Mraz prepared a distribution chart showing how much money each agency would receive based on tax rates in 2007. The top three include School District U-46 with $1,170,213, the village of Bartlett with $184,568 and Bartlett Park District with $116,380. Taxing districts can expect refunds from the county in January or February.
The issue
Dhiraj Bhesania is looking to open Value Liquor and Food at the Bartlett Town Center, 223 S. Main St. He’s requesting a special use permit to sell packaged beer, wine and liquor, and a Class C extended liquor license, which typically is given to 24-hour convenience stores. Bhesania plans to stay open until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends.
What we knew
The Wine Bin closed down in the same location about a year ago. The store had a Class G liquor license and was open until 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends. This Class G license allowed the store to host wine tastings. Class C licenses are typically given to grocery stores such as Jewel and Dominick’s. They, however, stop selling liquor at 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 12:00 a.m. on weekends.
What happened
Staff reported 7-Eleven on Prospect Avenue is the only store with the same liquor hours Value Liquor and Food intends to operate. Kelly and Nolan said they would not consider Bhesania’s proposal unless he agreed to amend the liquor hours due to residential proximity and safety issues. Kelly noted that Mr. Quik-Eez on Army Trail Road only sells liquor until 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 12:00 a.m. on weekends. “It’s important that we are consistent,” Kelly said. “And stick with hours we have given others.”
What’s next
Since Kelly has the final say in issuing a liquor license, it doesn’t matter that he is one of only two board members who oppose this special permit. Bhesania has two options: He can stick with his plan and bring it before the board for a vote with hopes that Kelly will change his mind, or he can amend the hours in which he is willing to sell liquor and adhere to Kelly’s wishes.
