Following a public hearing on the matter, city officials differ on whether or not to implement a home-rule sales tax in Woodstock — and if so, how much the city should charge. The City Council is considering increasing Woodstock’s sales tax on general merchandise. The tax rate could rise from 7 to 8 percent, although […]
A fourth establishment will be added to the Benton Street Boardwalk after the Woodstock City Council finalized the rules for the controversial outdoor dining project. Benton Street Tap will join three other restaurants in using the “boardwalk,” a city-funded project that will provide space for restaurants to host al fresco dining. The plan has been […]
Two new members of the Woodstock City Council were sworn in and two incumbent city officials were re-installed during a brief ceremony May 2. Jim Prindiville and Gordie Tebo took the oath of office before beginning their terms as members of the council. They joined incumbent Councilman Mike Turner and incumbent Mayor Brian Sager in […]
The Woodstock City Council removed several properties from the city’s Tax Increment Financing District April 18 to avoid a conflict of interest for an incoming councilman. Councilman-elect Jim Prindiville, a landlord, has an ownership interest in buildings which he manages on the Woodstock Square. The properties at 100-108 N. Benton St. sit in the city’s […]
Incumbent Brian Sager was re-elected to his fourth term as Woodstock mayor, handily beating challengers Michael Rein and Gregg Hanson in the consolidated election April 4. Sager garnered 58.97 percent of the vote in the three-man race, or 1,834 votes, according to an unofficial tally from the McHenry County Clerk’s Office. Rein, currently a McHenry […]
Candidates for Woodstock mayor and City Council disagree on whether the city should raise its sales tax rate. The proposal to add a home-rule sales tax in Woodstock was a key issue at a candidate forum March 23 at the Woodstock Public Library. Three people are running for mayor in the April 4 election: incumbent […]
Woodstock shoppers might pay more in sales tax in exchange for a property tax cut. The Woodstock City Council voted unanimously March 7 to reduce the city’s property tax levy 10 percent, a move that will lower the tax bill on a $150,000 house by about $94 and cut the city’s revenues by $924,000. A […]
The Woodstock City Council formalized its support for retaining long-term city ownership of the Old Courthouse property by approving a resolution Dec. 6 outlining possible future uses for the historic buildings and stating the city’s intention to own at least part of the property permanently. “The City Council of the city of Woodstock … finds […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
