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Post by gatormom on Feb 13, 2007 6:44:44 GMT -6
Representative wants to help District 204 with ‘quick-take’
By Sara Hooker
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Indian Prairie officials again are considering asking state lawmakers for so-called quick-take powers to acquire land to begin construction of Metea Valley High School.
State Rep. Joe Dunn, a Naperville Republican, introduced a second piece of legislation last month that, if approved by the General Assembly, would give the district immediate access to the 55 acres it seeks off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora.
Unit District 204 school board members will meet tonight to discuss whether to pursue Dunn’s plan.
The district is locked in a condemnation court battle as it waits for the DuPage circuit court to set a date for a jury trial to establish the price of the land. That hearing will establish how much the district will pay for the parcel needed to build the proposed $124.7 million, 3,000-student high school it hopes to open in fall 2009.
An Illinois House committee overwhelming rejected an identical plan Dunn introduced last fall, but he’s hopeful a longer session will give him more time to sell the idea.
“It’s always tough passing quick-take in the form of eminent domain,” Dunn said Monday. “Being it’s a school district and it’s already vacant land, I think it has a better shot than most.”
A recent survey Dunn conducted indicates roughly 57 percent of the 420 respondents oppose granting the district such powers.
“There’s not a clear mandate from the voter in either direction,” Dunn said. “I’m going to be at the disposal of the school board. If they choose to explore the quick-take, I’ll do so for them.”
Dunn cautioned it’s still a difficult task.
“The court is moving relatively quickly in government terms,” he said. “The General Assembly is always hesitant to take action on a matter that’s being heard by the courts.”
The case is due back in court March 1, when officials said they hope to establish a date to begin the jury hearing.
Officials have said if construction doesn’t begin this spring, the cost of materials will outpace the project’s budget.
Board member Mark Metzger said he continues to support seeking quick-take power.
“I thought it was beneficial last time and my opinion hasn’t changed,” he said.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 13, 2007 6:52:29 GMT -6
Representative wants to help District 204 with ‘quick-take’ By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer Indian Prairie officials again are considering asking state lawmakers for so-called quick-take powers to acquire land to begin construction of Metea Valley High School. State Rep. Joe Dunn, a Naperville Republican, introduced a second piece of legislation last month that, if approved by the General Assembly, would give the district immediate access to the 55 acres it seeks off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora. Unit District 204 school board members will meet tonight to discuss whether to pursue Dunn’s plan. The district is locked in a condemnation court battle as it waits for the DuPage circuit court to set a date for a jury trial to establish the price of the land. That hearing will establish how much the district will pay for the parcel needed to build the proposed $124.7 million, 3,000-student high school it hopes to open in fall 2009. An Illinois House committee overwhelming rejected an identical plan Dunn introduced last fall, but he’s hopeful a longer session will give him more time to sell the idea. “It’s always tough passing quick-take in the form of eminent domain,” Dunn said Monday. “Being it’s a school district and it’s already vacant land, I think it has a better shot than most.” A recent survey Dunn conducted indicates roughly 57 percent of the 420 respondents oppose granting the district such powers. “There’s not a clear mandate from the voter in either direction,” Dunn said. “I’m going to be at the disposal of the school board. If they choose to explore the quick-take, I’ll do so for them.” Dunn cautioned it’s still a difficult task. “The court is moving relatively quickly in government terms,” he said. “The General Assembly is always hesitant to take action on a matter that’s being heard by the courts.” The case is due back in court March 1, when officials said they hope to establish a date to begin the jury hearing. Officials have said if construction doesn’t begin this spring, the cost of materials will outpace the project’s budget. Board member Mark Metzger said he continues to support seeking quick-take power. “I thought it was beneficial last time and my opinion hasn’t changed,” he said. Perfect oppotunity for Leanne Lyons to state her opinion - let's see what she does. We know where M2 lies on this, how about L2 ? |
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Post by warriorpride on Feb 13, 2007 7:27:29 GMT -6
Representative wants to help District 204 with ‘quick-take’ By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer Indian Prairie officials again are considering asking state lawmakers for so-called quick-take powers to acquire land to begin construction of Metea Valley High School. State Rep. Joe Dunn, a Naperville Republican, introduced a second piece of legislation last month that, if approved by the General Assembly, would give the district immediate access to the 55 acres it seeks off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora. Unit District 204 school board members will meet tonight to discuss whether to pursue Dunn’s plan. The district is locked in a condemnation court battle as it waits for the DuPage circuit court to set a date for a jury trial to establish the price of the land. That hearing will establish how much the district will pay for the parcel needed to build the proposed $124.7 million, 3,000-student high school it hopes to open in fall 2009. An Illinois House committee overwhelming rejected an identical plan Dunn introduced last fall, but he’s hopeful a longer session will give him more time to sell the idea. “It’s always tough passing quick-take in the form of eminent domain,” Dunn said Monday. “Being it’s a school district and it’s already vacant land, I think it has a better shot than most.” A recent survey Dunn conducted indicates roughly 57 percent of the 420 respondents oppose granting the district such powers. “There’s not a clear mandate from the voter in either direction,” Dunn said. “I’m going to be at the disposal of the school board. If they choose to explore the quick-take, I’ll do so for them.” Dunn cautioned it’s still a difficult task. “The court is moving relatively quickly in government terms,” he said. “The General Assembly is always hesitant to take action on a matter that’s being heard by the courts.” The case is due back in court March 1, when officials said they hope to establish a date to begin the jury hearing. Officials have said if construction doesn’t begin this spring, the cost of materials will outpace the project’s budget. Board member Mark Metzger said he continues to support seeking quick-take power. “I thought it was beneficial last time and my opinion hasn’t changed,” he said. I'll move this to another thread if it's too far off topic - did we ever learn what the BB motions were that caused nothing to come of the January hearing? |
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Post by blankcheck on Feb 13, 2007 8:04:55 GMT -6
I still am against quick take power because then the SD is locked into whatever price a jury sets on the land. Very risky IMO.
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Post by bob on Feb 13, 2007 8:09:38 GMT -6
It would be between the SD's price and BB's price. And a poster already stated that one of BB's comps is for $325k/acre for a high density lot on RT 59 by North Aurora Ave.
I believe it would be a judge not a jury with Quicktake.
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Post by wvhsparent on Feb 13, 2007 9:16:29 GMT -6
It would be between the SD's price and BB's price. And a poster already stated that one of BB's comps is for $325k/acre for a high density lot on RT 59 by North Aurora Ave. I believe it would be a judge not a jury with Quicktake. I too oppose QT the range of prices is too high for me. A jury could still be in the mix to determine the price....they just cannot know that QT was used. Yes Judical oversight is also in play to keep a juy in check. It is still too much of an unknown for my comfort. Huh? 57%.......That is a majority in my book. If I am correct the SD used smaller sample sizes to get thier data.... |
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Post by Arch on Feb 13, 2007 9:41:21 GMT -6
Huh? 57%.......That is a majority in my book. If I am correct the SD used smaller sample sizes to get thier data.... As we've recently shown, any 'survey' has its flaws and depending on where, who and how you ask one can make the 'results' show anything you want it to show. All this tells me is that someone wasted time to find out nothing. |
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Post by blankcheck on Feb 13, 2007 9:42:31 GMT -6
I agree WVHS. So even though his survey showed 57% against quick take, he will do whatever the SB wants? I don't get that one at all.
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Post by Avenging Eagle on Feb 13, 2007 21:56:49 GMT -6
Representative wants to help District 204 with ‘quick-take’ By Sara Hooker Daily Herald Staff Writer Indian Prairie officials again are considering asking state lawmakers for so-called quick-take powers to acquire land to begin construction of Metea Valley High School. Let's see: Last fall, we asked for quick take legislation.....and Joe Dunn couldn't make it happen because of the wimpy holiday legislative schedule. So, finally he is ready to do it in the Spring, and our SB is taking its time and just "considering" going forward? Does the school board need to meet and re-agree on their previous decisions each and every time? Do we need to have a meeting before each shovelful of dirt is taken while digging the foundation of Metea? The other disturbing thing here is that Dunn interprets the survey results as "“There’s not a clear mandate from the voter in either direction". My dog voted in that poll! Oh, I forgot... he doesn't know much about how the official voting process works because he ran unopposed last time. |
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Post by wvhsparent on Feb 14, 2007 7:35:33 GMT -6
Survey results provide surprises for lawmaker
By Jake Griffin
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Well, he asked for it.
State Rep. Joe Dunn’s request to gather input from constituents by placing a survey in the Daily Herald and other area newspapers led to more than 400 completed questionnaires being submitted to his offices.
The Naperville Republican said he was looking for guidance before the legislative session gears up.
The eight-question surveys covered a range of topics, but some of the results surprised the veteran legislator. He said respondents’ views on embryonic stem-cell research and road construction funding may change his position on future legislation.
He was most surprised by the response to a question about raising income taxes to pay for education. Fifty-three percent favored an increase.
“I expected an overwhelmingly ‘no’ response to that question,” Dunn said. “I take that to mean people don’t like their high property taxes.”
Roughly 80 responses were pulled from the overall total because he could tell they came from special-interest groups. Those surveys were filled out by people either in favor of a cigarette tax or Indian Prairie Unit District 204’s plans to seek “quick-take” legislation to secure land for a high school.
But Dunn said he won’t completely discount those responses.
“I know these two organizations find those issues so important that they’re going to copy the survey and send it along,” he said. “I got the message these were important issues.”
The survey data showed 62 percent of respondents favor the state or counties raising $1.1 billion through a cigarette tax and 43 percent favor the school district’s land plans.
They were split 50-50 on increasing spending on roads.
“I would think people would want us to spend more money on roads,” Dunn said. “Of those who did respond, most specifically mentioned Route 59 as the No. 1 priority.”
Dunn said he probably will change how he votes regarding stem-cell research after respondents indicated they support it by a 3-to-1 margin.
“As long as there are reasonable restraints against human cloning or use of abortive tissue, I’m going to support embryonic stem cell research going forward,” he said. “There’s always that label of being a flip-flop and that’s disconcerting, but times change and things are different, so I have to listen to my district and change with the times.”
Respondents overwhelmingly disapproved of public financing for campaigns and allowing doctors to charge annual fees.
The eighth question was open-ended and allowed respondents to weigh in on topics Dunn’s survey did not touch on.
The results ranged from concerns about national policy issues like immigration to municipal concerns about drivers speeding through neighborhoods.
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Post by momof3 on Feb 14, 2007 9:07:39 GMT -6
Survey results provide surprises for lawmaker He was most surprised by the response to a question about raising income taxes to pay for education. Fifty-three percent favored an increase. “I expected an overwhelmingly ‘no’ response to that question,” Dunn said. “I take that to mean people don’t like their high property taxes.” I thought that question on the survey was misleading. Maybe he should have phrased it: Do you support HB750, which replaces part of your property tax with income tax, and means that in 204, you will pay MORE in overall taxes while your home school district receives LESS funding? ipsd204.proboards76.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=archivedtopics&thread=1143558287&page=1 And another disconcerting thing - goodbye to referendums? Some fatcat committee downstate is going to decide if we need new facilities? |
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Post by gatordog on Feb 14, 2007 9:51:13 GMT -6
Concerning raising income taxes to pay for education....
One issue is that the current setup could be interpreted as contrary to the Ilinois constitution. My hope is that our legislatures address the issue with this also in mind. Otherwise things could be taken out even out of legislatures hands and courts could step in and declare our school funding unconstitutional. That very thing has happened recently in other states.
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Post by EagleDad on Feb 14, 2007 9:56:29 GMT -6
Hmm, didn't the Dh run another survey about the Macom land? When are they going to publish an article with the results of that?
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Post by wvhsparent on Feb 14, 2007 10:25:38 GMT -6
If they could figure a way to make it dollar for dollar.....I might consider it; say they raise the income tax 5%, then put a credit spot for the property taxes...that way it stays local in the beginning, as the SD gets it's funds thru property taxes, that we get reimbursed by a tax credit. It then be spread out by us not really paying more each check knowing we will be having a credit.
Does this make sense?
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Post by wvhsparent on Feb 14, 2007 11:12:43 GMT -6
I agree that when our State Gov get involved things go awry......no so much in our neighboring States, such as Indiana... They actually use vehicle registrations as a funding source. Maybe that's something they could look at.
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