Save Buffalo Grove Plans Educational TIF Meeting

Save Buffalo Grove, a grassroots group of citizens concerned about the proposed downtown Buffalo Grove development, will host an informational community meeting from 7:30-9:30 p.m. July 18 at the Village Tavern.

Brian Costin, a TIF district expert with the Illinois Policy Institute, will present, “Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Downtown Buffalo Grove — Developer's Dream or Taxpayer's Nightmare.” This program comes in response to the proposal for the creation of a new TIF district as a way to fund the downtown pan from the developer, Charles Malk of CRM Properties Group, and remarks indicating support for such a concept from the Buffalo Grove village trustees.

Costin will:

• Discuss what TIF districts are, how they can affect taxpayers, and the unique circumstances surrounding a potential Buffalo Grove TIF district.
• Outline the legal steps involved in creating a TIF district in Illinois and how citizens can participate in the process to influence the outcome. 
• Present information on Illinois TIF statutes that require TIFs to be used for areas with “blight factors,” and the restrictions of TIFS on public lands occupied by golf courses.
• Explore the numerous legal concerns surrounding CRM Properties Group's unique TIF district proposal for a downtown Buffalo Grove development. 

“If this proposal proceeds, it might be the first time in Illinois history that a TIF district has been proposed for non-blighted lands entirely owned by the government,” Costin said. “Because the proposed development area overlaps the boundaries of several taxing bodies — Village of Buffalo Grove, Vernon and Wheeling Townships — local school districts and taxpayers in both Lake and Cook counties will be affected by the proposed TIF district.” 

— Submitted by Save Buffalo Grove

Related: 

• 'Save Buffalo Grove' Group Opposes Downtown Proposal
• Skeptics Begin Petition for Referendum on Downtown Buffalo Grove Proposal