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Winfield calls on school district to revisit TIF 2 talks as lawsuit drags on
Summary
President Carl Sorgatz said the village offered school districts a share of future TIF 2 proceeds to negotiate with developers, but that School District 34 rejected the offer and sued to block TIF 2 in 2021; the lawsuit remains active and, the village says, is delaying local development benefits.
Village President Carl Sorgatz used the state of the village address to describe a ongoing dispute over TIF 2 that has produced litigation and delayed anticipated revenues.
Sorgatz said the village offered School Districts 34 and 94 a share of future TIF proceeds to encourage negotiation with CDH rather than waiting until TIF expiration in 2044. He said School District 34 rejected that offer and sued the village in 2021 to block TIF 2; the village has since prevailed on appeal but the district sought Illinois Supreme Court review, and the case remains unresolved.
"Unfortunately, Winfield residents and businesses are the ones continuing to bear the cost of this litigation," Sorgatz said, urging the school district to reflect on the partnerships that have benefited the community.
The address contained no new settlement or board vote; Sorgatz framed the item as an appeal to the district to return to cooperative negotiations so TIF revenues can support local services and development.
