Council sets public hearings, registry for proposed TIF changes including VEX property

The Streator City Council voted to set public hearing dates and establish an interested‑parties registry for proposed amendments to two Tax Increment Financing districts that are tied to a larger redevelopment project involving the VEX property.

City staff told the council that by statute the city must hold public hearings and establish a registry of interested parties as part of creating or amending a TIF district. "By statute, hold public hearings and that's what the ordinance provides," a staff member said during the meeting.

The council approved Ordinance 2025‑13, which schedules a public hearing on a proposed fifth amendment to TIF District 2, and Ordinance 2025‑14, which adopts registration rules and creates an interested‑parties registry for TIF District 6. The council also approved Ordinance 2025‑15 to set a public hearing date for TIF District 6.

Staff explained the city plans to remove the VEX property from one redevelopment area, add several parcels to maintain continuity north of the VEX site, and consider creating a new district that would include the VEX property and possibly nearby homes. The staff member said individual meetings with council members would follow to discuss eviction negotiations and the status of the proposed redevelopment.

Councilors voted on each ordinance by roll call; each motion passed with aye votes recorded by the clerk. A staff member said the public hearing is scheduled for July 2 at 6:15 p.m., immediately prior to the council meeting that evening.

No amendments to the ordinances were recorded during the meeting. The actions set the procedural timeline for public notice and hearings required before any final TIF changes are adopted.