Lisle Watchdog

Friday, December 13, 2013

12 Days of Christmas in Lisle


On the 1st day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
…one golden opportunity.


On the 2nd day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one golden opportunity.


On the 3rd day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one golden opportunity.


On the 4th day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one golden opportunity.


On the 5th day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...five dozen sick puppy mill puppies, 
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one  golden opportunity.


On the 6th day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...six million TIF dollars, 
...five dozen sick puppy mill puppies, 
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one golden opportunity.


On the 7th day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...seven closed meetings, 
...six million TIF dollars, 
...five dozen sick puppy mill puppies, 
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one  golden opportunity.


On the 8th day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...eight government galas, 
...seven closed meetings, 
...six million TIF dollars, 
...five dozen sick puppy mill puppies, 
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one golden opportunity.


On the 9th day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...nine percent tax rate increase, 
...eight government galas, 
...seven closed meetings, 
...six million TIF dollars, 
...five dozen sick puppy mill puppies, 
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one golden opportunity.


On the 10th day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...ten protesters protesting, 
...nine percent tax rate increase, 
...eight government galas, 
...seven closed meetings, 
...six million TIF dollars, 
...five dozen sick puppy mill puppies, 
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one golden opportunity.


On the 11th day of Christmas our Village gave to us…
...eleven flood bonuses, 
...ten protesters protesting, 
...nine percent tax rate increase, 
...eight government galas, 
...seven closed meetings, 
...six million TIF dollars, 
...five dozen sick puppy mill puppies, 
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one  golden opportunity.


On the 12th day of Christmas our Village gave to us… 
...twelve loaded gift cards, 
...eleven flood bonuses, 
...ten protesters protesting, 
...nine percent tax rate increase,  
...eight government galas, 
...seven closed meetings, 
...six million TIF dollars, 
...five dozen sick puppy mill puppies, 
...four hundred flooded homes, 
...three rounds of golf, 
...two lost car dealerships 
...and one golden opportunity.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Mrs. Lisle Librarian Goes to Washington


Lisle Library Board's "Priceless Moments"

Cost to fly Library Director to Washington D.C..................... $  257.80
Cost for hotel for Library Director 3 nights in Washington D.C.......1,130.13
Cost to register for Legislative Day in Washington D.C.................100.00
Cost to check bags on airplane .........................................50.00
Cost for taxis.........................................................153.35
Cost for meals, snacks, misc...........................................310.11
Cost of 4 days librarian salary/benefits.............................2,027.27
Cost for companion to accompany librarian on trip........................0.00

Total Cost to Send Lisle Librarian to Washington D.C........$4,028.66


  • The looks on Lisle taxpayers faces when they find out the Lisle Library sent a librarian to Washington D.C to lobby the U.S. Congress when the Lisle Library has not, and does not, receive any federal funding - PRICELESS.
  • The looks on Lisle taxpayers faces when they learn that less than 350 libraries out of over 119,987 libraries throughout the United States (0.29%) also paid to send a librarian to lobby in Washington D.C. - PRICELESS.
  • The looks on Lisle taxpayers faces when they learn that Lisle taxpayers paid over $4,000 for lobbying but the Library did not report the costs as lobbying on financial reports. - PRICELESS.

  • The looks on Lisle taxpayers faces when they hear that the Lisle Library does not have any paid employees who are registered to lobby the U.S. Congress on behalf of the Lisle Library nor the American Library Association. - PRICELESS.
  • The looks on Lisle taxpayers faces when they find out that there was a "Virtual Legislative Day" held the same day so that people from the other 119,637 libraries throughout the United States that chose not to spend public funds to send an employee to lobby in Washington D.C. could participate remotely free of charge.   - PRICELESS.

  • The looks on Lisle taxpayers faces when they open their next property tax bill and see another increase in the property tax rate from the Lisle Library. - PRICELESS
  • Value of the Freedom of Information Act in holding local government accountable. - PRICELESS.




Link to documents. HERE.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Lisle Village Board Approves 2013 Property Tax Hike



Without discussion or comment, the Village of Lisle Board of Trustees approved a maximum possible property tax hike for 2013 on Monday, Dec 2, 2013. Property tax bills corresponding to this tax levy approval will arrive in homeowners' mailboxes in Spring 2014.


Here is how they voted:


  • Mayor Broda.........Yes
  • Trustee Boyle........Yes
  • Trustee Carbalo..... Yes
  • Trustee Mandel.......Yes
  • Trustee Hettich......Yes
  • Trustee Getz.........Absent, did not call in.
  • Trustee Cawiezel....Absent, did not call in.

Here is an historical view of the property tax rates and property tax levy increases since 1996:


Year Tax Rate     Tax Levy
96 0.4855 $2,628,363
97 0.4675 $2,678,954
98 0.4626 $2,785,754
99 0.4464 $2,840,222
00 0.4245 $2,909,656
01* 0.4054 $3,087,666
02 0.3862 $3,210,338
03 0.3859 $3,357,881
04 0.3803 $3,546,175
05 0.3762 $3,616,093
06 0.3641 $3,795,406
07 0.3576 $3,923,979
08 0.3566 $4,110,122
09 0.3649 $4,127,462
10 0.3997 $4,252,095
11 0.4289 $4,325,810
12 0.4682 $4,467,769
13 0.5009** $4,600,509


Graphs of Historical Property Tax Data:

  • Property tax LEVY & Property tax RATE since 1996, click HERE.

 *  2001 first levy year under Mayor Broda

**  estimated 
     (note added 3/25/2014: DuPage Co Clerk's 2013 tax rate for Village of Lisle = 0.5021)


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