Monthly Archives: October 2013

Good Day Illinois Wishes Everyone a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat Hours for October 31:

Freeport 5 – 7:00 pm
Dakota 5 – 7 pm
Forreston 5 – 8:00 pm
Galena 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Lanark 5 – 8 pm
Lena 5 – 7 pm
McConnell 5 – 7:30 pm
Orangeville 5 – 8 pm
Pearl City 5 – 7 pm
Polo 5 – 8 pm
Rock City 5 – 7 pm
Stockton 5 – 7:30 pm

Halloween night forecast for all ghosts and goblins: rain ending by trick or treat time and temperatures falling into the 50’s.

Picture below was taken on Woodside Drive in Freeport. Compliments from Good Day Illinois for a wonderful and creative Halloween scene!

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TAX, TAX, and MORE TAXES So That Government Can Spend and Spend and Spend!

The City of Freeport Annual Treasurer’s Report was published on October 25 in the Journal Standard. Since most people in the community will not even see it since they do not read the local newspaper, Good Day Illinois will take a look at this report. Today we will just look at the Revenue Summary. As has been pointed out before, the property tax is only a small portion of the total taxes and fees paid by residents of Freeport. Total revenue received by the City of Freeport is $37,542,646 and property taxes account for only $2,665,981 or about 7 %. Where does the rest come from? Fees and More Taxes! The following list contains some of the taxes imposed by the City of Freeport

Library Property Tax – $1,093,847 or about 3%

A few of the little special taxes imposed by the City:
Food & Beverage Tax – $593,700 (paid when you go out to eat)
Electric Tax – $461,408 (on your electric bill)
Natural Gas Tax – $311,368
Telephone Tax – $753,859
Cable Television Tax – $375,051 (no wonder those politicians like those high Comcast bills!)
Special Local Motor Fuel Tax – $241,051 (This in addition to $725,340 received from the State)

A few of the other big taxes:
General Sales Tax – $7,413,492 or about 20%
Water Capital Surcharge – $1,404,803 (look at your water will – that water tower is not free)
Income Tax – $2,425,802 or about 6%
Replacement Tax – $479,913
Special Use Tax – $407,316

These are just a few of the taxes imposed by the City of Freeport. You decide if you think you should pay more taxes! Next time your alderman talks about the city’s portion of real estate taxes being low, ask him about all the other taxes imposed by the city.

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MARY TODD LINCOLN: REFLECTIONS ON A LIFE OF SHATTERED DREAMS – 7 pm, Saturday, November 2 at Winneshiek Playhouse, 228 W Clark, Freeport

See a riveting one-act drama starring Dr. Maria Boundas Bakalis who brings to life Mary Todd Lincoln in the later years of her life. In her compassionate portrayal, Dr. Bakalis reveals the spirit and heart of Mary Todd Lincoln, a woman of shattered dreams. Sponsored by the Lincoln-Douglas Society in cooperation with the Winneshiek Players. Tickets $20. For information call 815.975.7631

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Elder Law Seminar Wednesday, October 30, 2 pm at Oakley Courts at 3117 Kunkle Blvd, Freeport

Attorney Heather McPherson of McPherson Law Offices, Freeport, will present a program on legal issues relevant to all and especially to seniors and their families

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Don’t Miss Trick or Treat Trail at Krape Park, Freeport, Saturday, October 26 from 3 to 5 pm

The Trick or Treat Trail begins at the carousel. There will be plenty of treats and fun entertainment. Sponsored by the Freeport Park District. Call 815. 235.6114 for information.

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Case of the Week – Noncompetition Agreements in Illinois – Two Years of Employment Required

The First District Appellate Court in a recent decision held that a noncompetition agreement is not valid and enforceable if an employee is fired or resigns within two years. Illinois companies can still require newly hired workers to sign noncompetition agreements, but if the employee is employed for less than two years the restrictive covenant will lack the consideration necessary to be enforceable by an employer. There must be two years of continuous employment to be considered adequate consideration to support a postemployment restrictive covenant.

For details see Fifield v. Premier Dealer Services, Inc., 2013 IL App (1st) 120327

Click to access 1120327.pdf

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Good Day Illinois Reports from Seattle!

Fall is in the air in Seattle like the Midwest. The pictures taken in Seattle show a foggy afternoon and at the Pike Place Market fresh flowers, vegetables, and of course fish. It does not look like a Midwestern farmers’ market in the middle of October.20131021-185607.jpg20131021-185621.jpg

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Freeport City Council Meeting Tonight, October 21

6:00 pm at City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor
If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.
See complete agenda at http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20131021.pdf

Some items of interest at meeting:

Bambi’s Ordinance
1st Reading of Ordinance permitting bow hunting of deer on Freeport Country Club property from October 22, 2013 through January 14, 2014 on recommendation of Illinois Department of Natural Resources to control deer population. The Administration requests suspension of rules for passage at meeting. Deer have taken over south Freeport and have done tens of thousands of dollars in damage to yards in the area. Hopefully, bow hunters can fill the food pantries in Freeport with venison!

New Internet Café
1st Reading of Ordinance of for variance allowing sale of alchoholic beverages at 1005 W. Galena Ave, Suite B. Sounds like an interesting business. Internet Café with video gambling!

For more information on business go to http://www.tenpennies.co/about.html

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You Can Really Tell It’s Fall with the Cool Weather – Perfect for Week 7 of High School Football – Only 2 Conference Games Remaining for Most Teams – Here’s a List of Some Area High School Games for Friday, October 18:

Auburn (2-5) at Freeport (1-6) – 7:15 pm
Aquin (5-2) at Lena-Winslow (4-3) – 7:15 pm
Ashton-Franklin Center (Ashton) (1-6) at Warren (1-6) – 7:00 pm
Cross Roads Christian (3-3) (Big Rock) at Forreston (6-1) – 7:00 pm
Durand (0-7) at Dakota (2-5) – 7:30 pm
Galena (5-2) at West Carroll (Savana) (2-5) – 7:30 pm
Polo (3-4) at River Ridge (Hanover) (4-3) – 7:00 pm
South Beloit (2-5) at Pearl City-Eastland * (7-0) 7:30 pm
Stockton* (7-0) at Orangeville (2-5) – 7:30 pm

*Conference Leader

Football Forecast for Friday, October 18 – Dress for cool weather! Temperture in the upper 40’s at game time and falling during the game.

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