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TIF appeal leaves downtown apartment project in limbo, officials say
Summary
Village officials said a school-district petition to the Illinois Supreme Court is keeping a $50 million apartment project on hold, stalling downtown density and potential new retail. The village estimates the TIF could generate about $465,000 in new annual revenue to the school district once occupancy increases.
Village officials warned May 7 that a pending legal appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court is delaying development in downtown Winfield, including a planned apartment building the board previously approved.
President Carl Sorgatz said school districts filed a petition for leave to appeal at the Illinois Supreme Court and the village is waiting to learn whether the court will accept the case. "Accepting the petition does not mean anything other than the case will then move forward before the Supreme Court," the attorney reported to the board. Sorgatz said he and staff visited Springfield to follow the timeline and hope for a decision this month; otherwise a resolution is more likely by September.
A resident noted the approved apartment project is on hold. Sorgatz corrected an initial cost estimate and said the project is a $50 million development that has been kept open only because the developer has been willing to extend deadlines during the litigation.
Sorgatz urged residents to note the implications for local revenue if the litigation is resolved in the villages favor. He told the board TIF 1 is projected to expire in 2028 and that renewed occupancy in the Town Center 1 building would raise property valuations. "Right now, we're projecting $465,000 in new money that will go to the school district," he said, adding that the south-side multifamily building has generated about two students so far and that "those checks are written" to the school district. He estimated roughly $23,000 per student is covered by the early TIF distributions.
Speakers at the meeting said the ongoing appeal discourages additional downtown investment, limiting density and making it harder to attract restaurants and retail to empty storefronts.
The attorney said the village followed the procedures established in the TIF Act and is awaiting the Supreme Courts decision. The board did not take any formal action on the litigation at the meeting.
