Snow Night? Downers Grove Prepares for The Storm

With dire predictions of snowpocalyptic weather conditions set to arrive Tuesday afternoon, Village Hall is on alert.

“We have a snow plan and are ready to activate that if conditions present themselves. We’ll be pretreating the roads before the snow falls and when it does we’ll be ready to plow. We have the ability to call in extra help if we need it.” said village spokesman Doug Kozlowski.

The village has two meetings scheduled during the current Blizzard Watch of 2011:  a council meeting on Tuesday and a Human Services Commission meeting on Wednesday. The decision to cancel a village meeting is staff initiated after consultation with Council members, according to Mayor Ron Sandack. “In my 8 years on the Council we have only canceled one meeting due to weather,” he said.

Kozlowski said the staff has several reference points when making the decision to close Village Hall. “We look at the National Weather Service and DuPage County Office of Emergency Management recommendations when it comes to canceling meetings. If they are suggesting that people stay off the roads, then that would be a reason for us to cancel a meeting.”

The village is prepared for all potential problems caused by the storm, he added. “If conditions become dangerous, the village has contingency plans in place in the event that emergency shelters are needed.”

Districts 58 and 99 make the decision to close schools due to weather conditions early in the morning, based on a number of factors which include not only facility conditions but the ability of the buses to safely transport students to and from schools. Both districts utilize a phone system to notify parents of any school closings. School closing information is also immediately posted on their respective websites.

According to Jewel spokeswoman Karen May, area stores haven’t experienced any major runs on food or supplies. “Our stores are stocked and ready to go. They’re prepared in case shoppers need to get anything.” Shoppers don’t need to worry about the stores closing early, she said, adding, “We’re like the post office. We stay open for our customers.”

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In Difficult Economic Times, Some Successes Emerge

Lost in the rhetoric and teeth-gnashing of last week’s vote to increase state taxes is the role that local government plays in attracting and retaining businesses. Economic development programs to entice businesses are the norm for most counties, but a few cities have taken matters into their own hands and have formed economic development corporations (EDC) of their own.

The two municipalities- Downers Grove and Naperville- in DuPage county with public-private EDCs are among the most successful at attracting new businesses in the region.  In The Business Ledger’s ranking of top 10 business stories in 2010, Downers Grove successes in economic development earned it two separate spots on the list.

According to Greg Bedalov, president of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, “The ability to remove obstacles and streamline processes have been a tremendous advantage for Downers Grove.” As an example, he pointed to the EDC’s role in facilitating the swift (six months from concept to completion) construction of an additional lane on 31st street to meet the expanding needs of businesses in an adjacent office park.

Bedalov is proud of the EDC’s accomplishments. “We run through walls to get things done,” he says. “Businesses want to know they’re in partnership with local municipalities and we focus on that.”

Part of the “tools in the toolkit” of any economic development program- whether county or municipal- are the incentive programs the state offers to businesses. In the competition for businesses, states offer a variety of services which are designed to “help Illinois businesses thrive in today’s economy.” according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

One of the popular state programs offered to businesses is the EDGE tax credit program. A business can receive this tax incentive when making a substantial development in Illinois, vis a vis job attraction or retention. The EDGE program gives businesses a credit against their tax liability. This credit is based upon income taxes their employees pay to the state of Illinois.

EDGE agreements already signed with the state of Illinois would be based on the previous individual tax rate of 3%. During the inauguration festivities in Springfield last week, Bedalov spent much of his time speaking to legislators about this program. “It’s a major issue,” he said. “Will businesses with EDGE agreements have their corporate tax credit increased to the new 5% rate? With the corporate tax increase up to 7%, it could make a big difference for our businesses.”

While EDCs are talking to legislators to keep their municipalities and counties competitive in today’s economic climate, DCEO is “still internally analyzing the impact of the new tax rate on the EDGE program.” said spokeswoman Marcelyn Love.

In the midst of the uncertainty, Bedalov says the EDC will be sticking to the tried and true of business retention: nuturing the relationships between the village of Downers Grove and local businesses. “For the next six months, we’ll be focused on retention and making sure we have good customer service. It comes down to old-fashioned blocking and tackling and we’re really good at that.”

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Downers Grove 2010: In Review

As December draws to a close, reviews and top 10 lists abound every where you turn. We seem to have a need to put the ending year in perspective- that, and fill white space- and a list fills the need. After hours (cough) of rereading news stories and pondering their significance, and skilled and thoughtful questioning of many Downers Grove residents (ahem), the Chronicle offers the following list of 2010 Downers Grove stories that we’ll still be thinking about in 2011.

1. Sandack Goes To Springfield
The appointment of Downers Grove Mayor Ron Sandack to fill the newly vacated seat of State Senator Dan Cronin caused a ripple effect in the upcoming village council elections. Because Cronin dallied in announcing his replacement- during which time there was significant political wrangling and maneuvering in local politics- Downers Grove was left with one mayoral candidate for the upcoming election. Maybe Martin Tully is the best candidate for the job and maybe not….but Downers Grove residents don’t have a choice, and that’s a shame. On the plus side, Downers Grove will have direct representation in Springfield for the first time in decades, and will hopefully be seeing the benefit of that in 2011 and years to come.

2. Financial Stability in Difficult Times
Village Manager David Fieldman led the council through an extensive and thorough long range financial planning process, and the 2010 budget was based on the analysis and evaluations that came from the plan. Despite continued economic difficulties, Downers Grove managed to keep expenses in line with severely reduced revenues without the loss of core services. Considering the challenges other DuPage municipalities faced this year- think Naperville and the police layoffs and subsequent civic unhappiness- Downers Grove has come through this first year of a new order with ease. Need further proof? Downers Grove racked up award after award in 2010 from industry and municipal groups in recognition of its financial and organizational excellence.

3. Downers Grove Is Open For Business
A holdover from the Krajewski regime, Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Greg Bedalov more than proved his mettle this year and silenced his naysayers. As other municipalities watched buildings empty, Downers Grove filled office and retail space with high profile corporations such as Dover and DeVry and smart, successful businesses like the the wildly popular Lemon Tree Grocer. The village and EDC facilitated businesses large and small with their needs and village tax receipts of 2011 will reflect their success.

4. Spotlight On Community Spirit
From fires that left families homeless to a civic organization that pulled together a community festival in just a few short months, residents stepped up to the plate during tough times this year. Two major fires- an apartment building on Belmont and a single family home on Main- had residents mobilizing on a dime to get the families the help they needed right away. When the village cut Heritage Fest due to budgetary concerns, the Rotary Club stepped in and put on a festival with all the highlights residents had come to expect over the years. The volunteerism was inspiring to many, and appears to have carried over to the village’s Human Services Commission, as they begin their new task of finding ways to bring the time, talents and pocketbooks of residents who have, together with those who are in need.

5. District Schools And The Courts
Despite the occasional grumbles from some who just wanted it to be over, the decision by the District 99 Board of Education to fight the eminent domain case brought against the Woodridge property by the Village of Woodridge looks like a good one. The board’s recent decision not to continue to appeal their loss is a prudent one as well. With 14 million dollars in the bank (instead of the 8 million originally offered by Woodridge), the district has more breathing room as it begins consideration of needed physical improvements to both schools. District 58 has concluded its time in court as well, and was finally able to issue Life Safety bonds to replace failing school roofs. Beginning in 2009 and carrying over to 2010, the 58 Board was involved in a bizarre series of legal maneuverings, when board member Scott O’Connell made repeated threats of legal action if the board continued pursuing the issuance of Life Safety bonds. Sanity prevailed and the district was able to begin roof replacements and other necessary safety repairs. In related news, O’Connell did not file for reelection to the board.

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Downers Grove Meetings, Week of December 6

December 6, 2010

Plan Commission – 7pm – Council Chambers – Agenda

99BOE Workshop/Special Meeting – 7pm- ASC – Agenda

 

December 7, 2010

Village Council Meeting – 7pm – Council Chambers – Agenda

 

December 8, 2010

Transportation and Parking Committee – 7pm – Council Chambers – Agenda

Board of Trustees, Downers Grove Public Library – 7:30pm- Meeting Room, DGPL – Agenda

 

December 9, 2010

Environmental Concerns Commission – 7pm – Public Works Training Room, 5101 Walnut – Agenda

 

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Forget the discussion on the tax levy at Tuesday night’s Village council meeting; the real excitement is at this week’s Plan Commission meeting on Monday.

Not only will the Plan Commission be accepting for consideration the draft Comprehensive Plan, which has been in the works for months, but the members will vote on “A  petition  seeking  a  Preliminary  Planned  Development  Amendment  to P.D. #31 Esplanade for the construction of a five-story office building for a medical and dental clinic and a six-level parking garage on the property commonly  known  as  3450  Lacey Road.”  In today’s economic stagnation, there are still movers and shakers in Downers Grove, and Midwestern University is one of them.  With developer Hamilton Partners, Midwestern is proposing a 213,000 square feet facility as well as a 700 space parking garage next to the Sara Lee building.  This project will bring jobs to Downers Grove- during construction and especially after- and will benefit all of the surrounding service businesses.  The Chronicle is hugely enthusiastic about this endeavor, and strongly supports its approval by the Plan Commission and eventually, the Village council.  The Economic Development Corporation should be rightly proud of its work in encouraging and facilitating this project.

The Plan Commission will be considering the draft Comprehensive Plan, upon recommendation from the Ad Hoc committee and village staff.  The Chronicle is strongly opposed to passing the plan in its current incarnation, and hopes the Plan Commission is able to separate the land use and economic development component from the rest of the plan, which has troubling shades of social engineering.  ~Ed.

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The Benefits of Staying Home (To Shop)

At first glance, Small Business Saturday might seem like yet another gimmick for retailers to attract additional sales. With the marketing backing of a national credit card behemoth, shoppers are being encouraged to patronize their local, small businesses and spend their Christmas dollars close to home.

Regardless of who first conceived the idea, it’s a good one.

Without the financial resources (and credit lines) of the big box stores, many small retailers have struggled to keep their doors open during the recent economic downturn. It is our small businesses that keep our economy running; over 90% of us are employed by small businesses, and they create more new jobs than the big boys.

When our local businesses struggle- and fail- we pay a hefty price. We lose the property and sales tax from that business, which means that homeowners have to pay more property taxes to make up the difference lost. The reduction in sales tax revenue is given as the number one reason why municipalities are cutting jobs and services. The business owner and employees are now out in the workforce, adding to the unemployment rolls and competition for new hires.

Boarded up storefronts? Left long enough, and they discourage new businesses from coming to town, and like a nasty virus can spread down Main Street. For those of us who live in suburbs with ‘real’ downtowns, it was often part of the reason we chose our town instead of another.

Need another reason? Service. Small retailers want your business and they work hard to get and keep it. Prices are competitive and the service is unmatched. Chances are, you’ll see a friend or neighbor while you’re waiting for your gift to be rung up (and wrapped, most likely, if you desire) and will be able to catch up on all the local news and gossip.

To borrow from the marketing slogan from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Downers Grove: Play IN, Dine IN, Shop IN…Downers Grove. We have a vibrant downtown district, filled with great shops and excellent restaurants to dine at when you’re done checking off your Christmas list.

Let’s get shopping!

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