***SEE IMPORTANT UPDATES AT END OF POST***
Mario Aliano says Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, State Rep Linda Chapa-LaVia and her husband Vernon LaVia came to visit his young pizza restaurant in Batavia and insisted he should come visit Aurora, Illinois.
"Except the casino, I don't see anything that's inviting (in Aurora's Downtown)" Aliano told the city council's committee-of-the-whole.
Mario Aliano says Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, State Rep Linda Chapa-LaVia and her husband Vernon LaVia came to visit his young pizza restaurant in Batavia and insisted he should come visit Aurora, Illinois.
"Except the casino, I don't see anything that's inviting (in Aurora's Downtown)" Aliano told the city council's committee-of-the-whole.
Yet, two of the most powerful political brokers of the city were pushing to give him the keys to a property, promising to spend over a million dollars of taxpayer funds if he would just open up a pizza place...and he would have little expense or risk.
Where else would he find such an "opportunity" like this?
Nowhere.
No doubt about it. Aurora is "second to none" when it comes to schemes.
Several restaurant operators with far more experience and success in the region have turned down deals to locate at the so-called "Restaurant Row."
From Naperville to Geneva to Wheaton to Oswego to Chicago, there are some smart business people who have said there's "no way" and "no amount of money" that could lure them "into the trap" of Restaurant Row on New York Street.
So, let's be clear. The story isn't about Aliano's, pizza or restaurants.
The much bigger story is about a dangerous mix of politics and money, insiders, greed and MILLIONS of taxpayer funds being exploited, wasted and/or risked for the politically-connected.
After Mayor Tom Weisner lost a HALF MILLION of your taxdollars on the original "restaurant row" scheme, he's ready to risk over a MILLION more of your money that would benefit State Rep Linda Chapa-LaVia. And, there's even more that would need to be spent later.
Are we really saying the mayor already lost over a half-million dollars and is going to spend another million dollars to benefit a local state rep, all to create a pizza restaurant for a business that's only been open since 2011 and had a salmonella shutdown just a few months ago?
Yes, really.
Tom Weisner has always been envious of the popularity of Linda Chapa-LaVia.
She seriously considered running for Mayor of Aurora in 2013 and Weisner did everything he could, including having his local labor union cronies to try and convince her out of it.
And, Linda Chapa-LaVia made it clear to anyone who will listen that Weisner's $20 million "RiverEdge" Park wouldn't be possible if not the for the millions in taxpayers grants she got from the State of Illinois.
That would be the same park that Vernon LaVia says is "key" to attracting people to restaurant row.
Are you starting to understand yet? Don't worry, it gets worse.
Much worse.
Before we move forward, let's go back to 1997.
29 W. NEW YORK STREET
On January 1, 1997, Linda Chapa and her husband purchased 29 W. New York Street for $195,000. Sources close to Linda Chapa say this property has been a curse ever since. PIN #15-22-326-008.
The property is technically owned by their land trust, New Lenox State Bank #2127 or NLSB #2127, which was created January 13, 1997.
According to Aurora Township Assessor records, all billing information goes to Vernon and Linda LaVia.
In the early 1990's, the city gave almost $100,000 for a facade loan (that was apparently never repaid) for the property so it would go from crap to, well...looking like this today:
As part of the facade loan agreement, the property was not supposed to renew the lease for those billboards atop the building. However, just within the last few years, Linda Chapa and/or her husband renewed the lease with Lamar, the billboard company for....30 years.
Vernon says he was in Alaska when the lease was signed and didn't find out until later. Sure, blame it on Alaska. In the meantime and for the next 30 years, taxpayers won't get a dime from the billboard lease and the city hasn't asked for the money back.
Regardless, between a failed attempt to create a coffee shop at street level called the World Cafe and various versions of a bar on the lower level, Linda and Vernon poured a lot of money into this property.
Unfortunately, nothing worked. Coffee place flopped. Someone got shot and killed in the bar. And, even the most recent attempt at a Bacci's Pizza restaurant failed.
Yes, a pizza restaurant already recently failed at 29 W. New York Street.
You know that saying "the definition of insanity is to keep making the same mistakes over and over?"
To the credit of Linda Chapa and her husband, they tried. We don't mean credit as in "way to go, nice try!" but we mean credit as in financial credit.
In fact, in 2003, they took out a new mortgage with Banco Popular with a maximum principal lien of $750,000.
According to Kane County, that loan still exists and has not been released.
Neither Vernon LaVia or nor city officials will explain exactly how much is owed on that loan. And, why is that important?
Because $750,000 of TIF funds, also known as YOUR MONEY, will be "given" to Vernon LaVia's new LLC called "5 Way" to purchase the property from himself.
Wait, some of you may wonder how can you buy a property from yourself? In Aurora, anything is possible.
TIF funds have certain restrictions. And, the only way for Linda Chapa and Vernon LaVia to unload their personal liability and/or cash out on this chronic failure of a property is buy it from themselves, but in this case, it's with YOUR money.
It's the taxpayers who will now have the biggest risk while the new LLC owns the property.
So, how much is 29 W. New York being purchased for by the same people who own it?
According to Aurora Township records, it's currently assessed at a value of less than $150,000, less than HALF it's value from the previous year.
That was for taxes. But, when it comes to buying the property from themselves using YOUR TAXDOLLARS, the property is now worth:
A half-million dollars. Ka-ching!
According to city economic development scheme consultant David Dorgan, there's a perfectly acceptable explanation for the sudden rise in property value that "coincidentally" would be paid for by taxpayers and payoff any personal liability.
There's an appraisal that says the property is worth $475,000.
Since most downtown property values have plunged, every other "restaurant row" property is in foreclosure, who would come up with an appraisal like that?
Meet Art Sheridan, a very special and longtime buddy of Mayor Tom Weisner.
Art Sheridan has been doing appraisals and part of various schemes for the city. However, it's more complicated...everything seems to be with Tom Weisner and his buddies.
Sheridan's wife is Barb Katterman, who used to be an economic development consultant, worked for one of Weisner's top campaign cronies, Wegman Construction, that "coincidentally" got contracts for city business.
Katterman later "coincidentally" was named to a city job with pension and benefits as the city's representative to oversee the massive spending of $150 million of the new Aurora Police Palace, which "coincidentally" included cronies of the mayor, including her former employer, Wegman Construction and Cordogan Clark, the architects that "coincidentally" get city business.
In just the last few weeks, Katterman has now "retired" from her city job to now become the library's representative to oversee the $30 million "new library" project, also alleged to be full of corruption.
Her selection was pushed by the mayor's cronies he placed on the library board, including John Savage, to make sure she could provide "oversight" for the contractors and architects that are involved in the library project.
"Coincidentally" those would be the mayor's cronies again, Wegman Construction and Cordogan Clark.
And, it's just a "coincidence" that Art Sheridan and Barb Katterman both get involved in deals for the city that help facilitate various schemes. They "coincidentally" have always given money to the mayor, too.
Now, Art Sheridan, the mayor's buddy and husband of Barb Katterman, says that 29 W. New York Street is worth far more than any other similar property in downtown.
Not just slightly more, but over THREE HUNDRED PERCENT more than the current assessed value with Aurora Township.
But, Vernon LaVia and David Dorgan insist that it's not some number out of the sky, but based upon an objective appraisal by Art Sheridan.
That would be Art, also known as Arthur Sheridan, who isn't even licensed to do appraisals, according to the State of Illinois.
Oops.
So, Tom Weisner, the mayor, lost $500,000 already on a failed scheme, now wants to spend another MILLION DOLLARS of your money, including giving $750,000 to an LLC that would payoff the personal debt of a state rep who got him a big grant and decided not to run against him and it all hinges on an inflated appraisal from someone who isn't licensed to do appraisals?
Yes, welcome to Aurora.
And, it gets worse...
...see, there's a bank involved in the new scheme. Wintrust Financial is going to "loan" money to the magic new LLC for the build out of the new pizza place and some strange addition to the back (long story, but taxpayers will end up paying for that, too).
They feel "safe" loaning the money because taxpayers are coughing up a million dollars, plus some land, but is the bank using the same appraisal?
And, if they are using an inflated appraisal, would that be considered bank fraud?
And, if they are using an inflated appraisal, would that be considered bank fraud?
Who's running this city? Bernie Madoff or Tom Weisner?
Weisner, who always puts the best interests of banks ahead of taxpayers (keep in mind Weisner himself is among the elite 1% of the rich), wants the bank to have first lien on these properties, even though taxpayers have all the risk.
The scheme would combine 29 and 31-33 W. New York (PIN #15-22-326-009)
It's confusing to some since 31-33 W. New York are not two properties, but actually one.
Part of the property is occupied by "Chef Amaury" who was originally supposed to be located at the Elks Club building, which the city moved the Aurora Election Commission to make room for.
That never happened and Amaury ended up at the 31-33 W. New York Street building and has had difficulty there. From the property sinking into foreclosure to the lights going out due to electric bills to the closure of another BBQ restaurant to slow sales to low market the overall failure of the so-called restaurant row, it's been a challenge.
Marie Leach owns 31-33 W. New York. The property has been in foreclosure since 2009, so that would be almost four years.
According the Aurora Township Assessor, the property is worth slightly more than 29 W. New York Street (we are talking about actual value, not the inflated bank fraud value), but since it's in foreclosure, why not just wait until its done?
Vernon LaVia, David Dorgan and Tom Weisner all say they need to "rush" because there's a deal for a new pizza restaurant.
And, there's another taxpayer twist.
See, Marie Leach also owns 35 W. New York (PIN #15-22-326-008). And, "coincidentally" that is in foreclosure, too.
That property was gutted during the initial phase of Weisner's restaurant row scheme. It's not worth much (unless you have Art Sheridan do the appraisal, of course).
Ms. Leach allegedly says she won't sell 31-33 W. New York for the new pizza restaurant scheme that would payoff Linda Chapa and Vernon LaVia's personal debt unless someone also buys 35 W. New York, too. She wants to unload it all.
Alderman Al Lewandowski asked why doesn't the developer (LaVia) just buy the property? The answer is because they don't need it for the pizza restaurant and they don't have the money.
So, who will buy the worthless property?
You, the taxpayer.
Yes, you'll buy a gutted property for $280,000, over TWICE the currently assessed value.
We want to be clear. To make the scheme work involving the pizza restaurant, taxpayers would buy a property not part of the pizza restaurant.
David Dorgan, Weisner's consultant, said that while that if the city spends $280,000 on the property, it's not likely taxpayers would recoup the cost.
"That's not the way things usually work around this city," said Dorgan.
David Dorgan, Weisner's consultant, said that while that if the city spends $280,000 on the property, it's not likely taxpayers would recoup the cost.
"That's not the way things usually work around this city," said Dorgan.
He's right about that.
But, he's been misleading the city council on why they "must" buy 35 W. New York for $280,000, claiming the property is somehow "encumbered" by both the 29 and 31-33 properties and that's the price "necessary" by the bank and those who have interests.
Remember, Dorgan is supposed to be working indirectly for you, not the property owners or bank.
But, he's been misleading the city council on why they "must" buy 35 W. New York for $280,000, claiming the property is somehow "encumbered" by both the 29 and 31-33 properties and that's the price "necessary" by the bank and those who have interests.
Remember, Dorgan is supposed to be working indirectly for you, not the property owners or bank.
According to a detailed review of records, there is nothing that directly forces all three properties to change title at the same time. It's just that the banks and city hopes everyone is stupid enough to think so and write big checks from the taxpayer checkbook or credit card.
Did we say it gets worse yet AGAIN?
If all that isn't enough, the city also tries to justify the purchase of 35 W. New York Street by saying they will then own the property and market it as, yes, you guessed, another restaurant!
Forget waiting for the property to finalize its foreclosure proceedings and buy it for almost nothing, the city wants to buy it for the benefit of Linda Chapa and Vernon LaVia's deal right away due to the "rush" to make this deal happen.
The city would then be in direct competition with ALL other potential restaurant space in downtown such as the new vacant space at River Street Plaza or even other space outside downtown.
The problem is 35 W. New York is gutted and useless, so the city says it could combine it with yet another property...37 W. New York, which also happens to be in foreclosure.
They say the combination of 35 and 37 W. New York could be another part of the so-called restaurant row.
Instant SAT Math Question: If a pizza restaurant on Restaurant Row is costing taxpayers $1.5 million, an Irish bar across the street previously cost taxpayers $2 million, and the city dumped $5 million of taxpayers funds for a beer operation, how many total McChicken sandwiches at $1 each could you have had at taxpayer expense?
So, who owns 37 W. New York (PIN #15-22-326-004) that will be the next part of the scheme?
Steve Arwady.
Yes, the same developer the city started the original and failed restaurant row scheme with in 2009.
Yes, the same developer the city started the original and failed restaurant row scheme with in 2009.
Didn't we say it would keep getting worse?
On Tuesday at 6pm at City Hall, the Aurora City Council will vote on this scheme. You may want to speak up.
However, if you don't mind spending millions or are concerned about payoffs, fraud, lies, schemes, bailouts and political deals, then don't worry, do nothing and let the next scheme begin.
***UPDATE*** Tuesday, February 12 2:45pm
As part of an ongoing investigation, OpenlineBlog has learned Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and his consultant David Dorgan, intentionally manipulated and misled the Aurora City Council in recent weeks by using an appraisal for 29 W. New York Street that was created nearly THREE YEARS AGO.
Sources say any claims by Weisner, Dorgan and LaVia saying they have a current appraisal by Art Sheridan are FALSE. Instead, it appears Mr. Sheridan's firm arranged an appraisal years ago.
High-ranking city hall sources also confirm that due to the widespread scrutiny and exposure of the alleged schemes, Weisner is considering postponing tonight's vote for two weeks to see if they can come up with a way to save the scheme.
Stay tuned for further developments.
***UPDATE*** Tuesday, February 12 9:45pm
Claiming the City Council needed more time to review the agreement on "billboard signs" on top of 29 W. New York, the vote was postponed until February 26th.
Several viewers report Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner was visibily "distraught" and "beat-red." Sources at City Hall confirm the vote was postponed "directly due to the widespread reaction" of the scheme being exposed and ongoing investigation.
Neither State Rep. Linda Chapa-LaVia nor her husband, Vernon, who had been pushing the scheme showed up to the meeting. Sources also confirm that Vernon was ordered to "keep his mouth shut" while Weisner can figure out any way to salvage the scheme.
Will Linda Chapa do the right thing and kill the deal or will she allow a scheme to proceed that would personally benefit her and risk over a MILLION dollars of taxpayer funds and instead kill her political career?
Stay tuned for more developments.
***UPDATE*** Tuesday, February 12 2:45pm
As part of an ongoing investigation, OpenlineBlog has learned Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and his consultant David Dorgan, intentionally manipulated and misled the Aurora City Council in recent weeks by using an appraisal for 29 W. New York Street that was created nearly THREE YEARS AGO.
Sources say any claims by Weisner, Dorgan and LaVia saying they have a current appraisal by Art Sheridan are FALSE. Instead, it appears Mr. Sheridan's firm arranged an appraisal years ago.
High-ranking city hall sources also confirm that due to the widespread scrutiny and exposure of the alleged schemes, Weisner is considering postponing tonight's vote for two weeks to see if they can come up with a way to save the scheme.
Stay tuned for further developments.
***UPDATE*** Tuesday, February 12 9:45pm
Claiming the City Council needed more time to review the agreement on "billboard signs" on top of 29 W. New York, the vote was postponed until February 26th.
Several viewers report Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner was visibily "distraught" and "beat-red." Sources at City Hall confirm the vote was postponed "directly due to the widespread reaction" of the scheme being exposed and ongoing investigation.
Neither State Rep. Linda Chapa-LaVia nor her husband, Vernon, who had been pushing the scheme showed up to the meeting. Sources also confirm that Vernon was ordered to "keep his mouth shut" while Weisner can figure out any way to salvage the scheme.
Will Linda Chapa do the right thing and kill the deal or will she allow a scheme to proceed that would personally benefit her and risk over a MILLION dollars of taxpayer funds and instead kill her political career?
Stay tuned for more developments.
Read the official documents regarding the City of Aurora's scheme with 5 Way and Vernon LaVia
Read the official documents of the proposed purchase of another property for $280 that isn't needed
Read Aliano's Ristorante Batavia Salmonella News
Aurora Township Assessor Property Search
66 comments:
Advice to openline package this all up deliver it to Boob OCONNER and get the Better Government Association involved. If Occonnor does not question the appraisals turn him in on ethics violations against his CPA license. Remember tax payers Occonnor can't play dumb he is also a lawyer, ran a appraisal business, and worked for a bank . Remember when you think your unstoppable you eventually screw up. Just ask all the former Illinois Governors and the Mayor of Cicero.
Btw the reason Linda did not run was because she wanted her loans paid off
Send it to alderman Richard Irvin who has a law licesne. Then send it over to Abby Schuler the alderman over in the first ward. She also alleges to have a CPA license and sits on the City's Finance Committee.
That is a really long title for an article. Shouldn't it be something eye grabbing and catchy. It should not be a whole paragraph of information.
if any city council member votes for this scam, they should be arrested immediately at the meeting.
I hope to God that Linda Chapa didn't have a clue her husband and the mayor were doing all this but if she did know she should be tossed in with them, too.
I am speechless. I thought Corn Pone Hack Katterman was going to go away, but really, what was I thinking. She's like a bad dose of herpes, just lasts and lasts. So River City Mayor Weisner is going to stick it to us again. To benefit Corn Pone Hacks Corgogan, Wegman, the LaVias, Sheridan, Katterman ($85,000 per year, no qualifications, high school diploma, donating wiseguy husband), and snake oil salesman of the year STEVE ARWADY (!!!!!) for cripes sake. Since we do not have a real paper, 8:45 is right. This should go directly to the Better Government Association.Or better yet, the State's attorney. It might also be worth a trip to the Tribune. I like O'Connor but he won't do a thing. And next thing we know our overpaid "Planning" Department, which is permanently terrified that there is no justification for its huge budget or even its existence, will be crowing about how this project is the shining white hope for the downtown, just like River City Park! Downtown Aurora not die dead! Downtown Aurora die LIVE! Keep it up Openline. Hard to believe, but you seem to be our only hope.
You can bet Linda is up to her ears in this. She and her husband are on the mortgage and property together time for her to resign. Call the Better Government Association. They cant refinance the same thing multiple times with TIF money.
Also, there is a conflict since Sheridan did the appraisal and donated to Linda and Toms campaign. You are by appraisal law suppose to provide a independent Appraisal
Follow the money. If we had a real newspaper Openline would not have to do all the digging
Somebody did alot of work to find all of this out. Good job to them. I hope there is an investigation and people can be cleared of wrong doing or made to pay if all this is true.
Bacci's pizza was good. Which just shows that it has to do with a poor location.
"Somebody did alot of work to find all of this out"
No doubt it was Lawrence who provided all this to Openline. I also would like an independent investigation and if it all turns out to be true, prosecution of the guilty parties. And if it turns out to NOT be true, prosecution of the publisher of libelous accusations. (psst, just between you and me, I suspect it's true)
I read Lulay's article in the Beacon.
Did she not know all this stuff about an appraisal and inflated value or did she just not report it???
Anyone with any common sense can see this is a scam, scheme or whatever you call it.
I looked up the info at the assessor's website and county.
The information IS true.
Kudos to Openline for finding the facts.
If Linda didn't know what her husband and Weisner were scheming, then she better pull the plug before Tuesday night.
And, if she did know, she's screwed. There isn't any excuse in the world that will work to explain why it's okay to let a million bucks be spent on a pizza restaurant.
Openline also points out something very important. The costs for all this would go beyond what has already been lost or this deal. The city would still need to buy 37 W. New York and how is any other restaurant going to enter without expecting their own million dollar deal???
I can't believe MY taxdollars are being handled so irresponsibly!!!
Wow! A little more complicated than the Kresge/Sachen or the Kurt Becker land deal in Eola that happened in years past. AURORA, CORRUPT AS EVER.
I love how everything that happens in Aurora is just a "coincidence."
Seriously, I never realized just how much Aurora really is "second to none." They are trying to outdo Chicago at corruption and stupidity.
"trying to outdo Chicago"
Nope. No "trying" about it. They've succeeded.
3:42 what happened in the two deals you mentioned?
Linda Chapa's girl over at the Township Campos hired a relative with a felony gun record to drive children and Seniors around and bypassed the PACE backround check, will this ever get covered?
This will be an interesting litmus test. If nothing becomes of this then watch out because anything goes. There are too many people tied up into this way of doing business. Probably why Aurora is in the sad shape that it is in.
What a scam.
If this gets approved, then Weisner and LaVia and Sheridan should all proceed directly to jail.
People should attend the city council meeting and speak up to stop this insanity.
Get it through your head Weisner, no one is coming to open a food business in this shithole. Chef Ramsey, Chef Irwin, Bobby Flay and Paula Deen could all open restaurants downtown Aurora and I guarantee you, they would all be closed up within a month.
I'm surprised the city is looking the other way on Aliano's salmonella problem. Maybe their pizza and food is okay but there's nothing "wow" about it.
If you tell me the city is going to spend a million dollars for one of the best restaurants in the nation, even then it wouldn't be worth it.
This is the problem. It's not the "wow" of the interior or the food.
As long as you are located in a depressed area like downtown Aurora where you have to drive by tattoo parlors, cash for gold and payday loans to get there, you are not going to get people to flock to your restaurant, no matter how good it is.
If Vern and Linda LaVia believe it's worth spending a million dollars on this crappy place, then let them spend their own money.
If they, the bank and the city is saying no private developer would do this without taxdollars, then that should say something.
Even without the scam on the appraisals, insider deal for a politician, payoff by Weisner to Chapa for not running for mayor, this is a BAD deal for everyone.
This is destined to fail. Keep the taxpayers of out the scheme.
Chapas girl Campos help herself to advances on her payroll when caught she paid it back. How did that get by? Because we don't have a real Newspaper. So will Chapa get by yes because nobody in this town runs for anything. Nobody cares about the town but bad government costs us all we have the highest sales tax rate around and e highest city real estate rate. Compare to Naperville. Wake up Aurora
4:40. City bought Kresge's for two to three times appraised value and then spent another 100,000 or so to tear it down. All the time the owner was in default on city loan on another property. Deal two city sold valuable land On Eola for 1/3 of value to favorite boy. All without appraisal. The tear down is now a vacant lot on Broadway under the guise of a park. Then there is the ELKS another botched city real estate deal, then there is the old Copley hospital...and on and on.
6:20 thanks for the info. Usually I read this blog for entertainment because of the slanted writing and less than credible sources but I think this one is legit.
29 W. New York Street is one of the least valuable properties in the entire state. It's right up there with the property on Broadway that was the former home of the "Brothers of Soul" motorcycle club. The casino in Downtown Aurora is going away in time. Good riddance. Outside of giving a few people a mediocre employment situation that casino has been an overhyped blight for Downtown. It does absolutely nothing to stimulate the local economy and surrounding businesses. Many, many years down the road, the Downtown area will largely demolished and replaced by green grassed parkways. Downtown Aurora died in the 1970's. Why do these people keep throwing good money at it trying to revive it?......it's dead and gone.
Kurt Becker is example of another failure who came back to Aurora and used the City. He was looking for the City to pay his way and now in a recent shake down he told the east aurora school distrct either hire me or I will make a lot of noise. Now Kurt did not just want any job he wanted a PR job and the ability to work at his failed business for big bucks. The School district said no and offered him a Subsitute job or hall displine job. they would have required Kurt to work all day.
As a occasional reader of this Blog, I will say that this piece is an excellent example of what Openline.Blogspot.com is capable of doing. Clearly, there are strong and reliable sources of information at play here. This is exactly the type of local journalism that has been sorely lacking by the local newspaper which is now based in Chicago (does that make any f'n sense?). Good job, guys/gals.
It's absolutely the case that almost no one cares about the town and that is why this kind of corruption and cronyism can flourish. Weisner and his overpaid Hench girl and men have created a culture of fear at City Hall, so people who are aware of his schemes can't speak up. The so called newspaper obfuscates by simply remaining silent. The citizens pay little attention (and higher taxes than in Naperville.) In this sort of climate these arrogant, small time crooks don't even have to hide their crimes and lack of ethics. Openline should forget about national and international subjects and focus only on Aurora. You are gaining credibility. If you keep speaking the truth I guarantee that the eye rollers in power, who have dismissed your blog, (sometimes with good reason) will start to take notice. Word will get out and you will gain serious readers. The second largest town in the state needs a legitimate blog. That said, it will be interesting to see what happens tonight at council. Al Koholic is right, and many of us have been saying it for eons, the downtown died years ago and the city has wasted millions "reviving" it. It would have been better to have partnered with the schools. If we had turned them around we would have higher property values and better neighborhoods.
Problems? What problems?? Now that the city's hiring spinmeister Clayton Muhammad, anything negative will be swept under the rug and/or twisted around to look shiny & grEAt. Just like he did in D131 for so many years.
Aurora is "second to none" in IMAGE. Who cares about details like integrity?
I second the comments and Openline could gain by filling FOIA requests and reporting out the Mayors many Slush fund. This is a good place to start. A second place is Community in Schools . The Mayor gives out millions to his favorites through Community in Schools get the payouts and why.
The town has no legitimate newspaper and we need Openline to focus less on National news and more on the Mayors donors. They give him big bucks but he returns the favors. The Voice is much better than the Beacon and a lot cheaper.
Tonight is one of those meetings that should be televised on ACTV !!
Aurora's TV studio is no longer public access, just government access,conveniently for the mayor. However, you could set up a camera or just hold up a cell phone and I don't think anyone could stop you. In fact, everyone in the room should hold up a cell or tablet.
11am you are absolutely correct in my opinion. This is where Weisner and many of the current alderman are complete and utter failures. They have allowed Aurora's schools to be many of the worst in the whole State of Illinois. All the while there are strong (or should be) connections in Springfield with Chapa and Holmes. Why didn't Weisner use those to help the schools. The East side schools are by far the worst and yet where is everyone. He continues to make it worse. The only one I can see trying to turn things around is the East school board president. She should run for mayor. I cannot even imagine what will happen in the next four years here in Aurora with Weisner in charge. For years the City has turned its back on the schools espcially those ont he East side and now everyone is going to pay dearly.
I applaud Openline for publishing this info, but let's face it, Openline won't be FOIAing anything. You have to identify yourself when you fill out the FOIA paperwork. So if you want it FOIA'ed 11:12, you need to do it then send it to Openline to publish.
As part of an ongoing investigation, OpenlineBlog has learned Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and his consultant David Dorgan, intentionally manipulated and misled the Aurora City Council in recent weeks by using an appraisal for 29 W. New York Street that was created nearly THREE YEARS AGO.
Sources say any claims by Weisner, Dorgan and LaVia saying they have a current appraisal by Art Sheridan are FALSE. Instead, it appears Mr. Sheridan's firm arranged an appraisal years ago.
High-ranking city hall sources also confirm that due to the widespread scrutiny and exposure of the alleged schemes, Weisner is considering postponing tonight's vote for two weeks to see if they can come up with a way to save the scheme.
Stay tuned for further developments.
At least some of the heat is off Mr Sheridan. It is disappointing that, it appears, some of the other gentlemen tried to mislead and sully Mr Sheridan's name in the process.
Actually, Raul Romero died after he was beaten (not shot) in Linda and Vernon LaVia's bar on August 28, 2004.
Also, the fact that the bar continued to operate without a kitchen after Bacci's Pizza failed had nothing to do with the fact that it was owned by State Rep. Chapa LaVia.
Using a 3 year old appraisal is not just stupid, but criminal. Out and out fraud.
But think about it; if the appraisal is too high now, it would have been WAY too high back then. Not sure Sheridan is completely off the hook yet.
What is the reason for an appraisal three years ago for this property?
None of you windbag dumbasses will go to tonight's meeting. Guaranteed.
So what happened tonite?
KEEP. IT. UP, OPENLINE.
UPDATE: Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner panics as Million Dollar Pizza Restaurant Row scheme unravels and exposed; postpones vote for two weeks...will State Rep Linda Chapa LaVia kill the deal or use taxpayer funds for personal gain and allow her political career to die?
Thanks for the report openline Lulay could not print that she was to busy printing Free Parking for Aurora. Get rid of your subscriptions to the Beacon it's just a political paid ad for the Mayor.
The question is who much are they paying Lulay off I heard she for sale
On top of everything else, the restaurant is not all that great. They are very nice, but they have lots of room for improvement.
Cuidado Amigo,
Weisner is vengeful. You can rest assured that he and the warped, frustrated Ms. Ergo are looking for a way to shut you down. Stick with the truth and nothing but the truth.
Entiendes?
Went to the meeting last night knowing that Restaurant Row would be postponed to the 26. I saw the visible red and aggitated Weisner. I witnessed the "fued" between Alderman Richard Lawrence and Mayor Weisner. It was very entertaining seeing Alderman Lawrence have a "voice for the people." Looked like a well-planned show to me. Great Acting skills boys. What a better way to deceive the people. Lawrence standing up for the people in Aurora making some great points on parking fees being solely for making money. Weisner of course objecting saying its for "turnover" purposes. And my favorite part of the meeting: Mayor Weisner telling Alderman Richard Lawrence that his comments {parking rules & regulations downtown are solely for money making) would sound great in the newspaper. Clearly indicating Alderman Lawrence's "we the people" attitude is fake. We the people of Aurora need to stand up for this corruption. February 26 6pm!
If your interested in a Meeting attend the Aurora Township meeting Thursday at 4 to listen to Campos explain how she lost a MILLION dollars on dial a ride.
Shouldn't articles in the Chicago Beacon-News have a disclaimer that basically states: "This article has been bought and paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Tom Weisner Mayor of Aurora.......Hi, I'm Tom Weisner and I approved this article."
10:36, I see Catching's fans have arrived. Gonna take more than that to convince voters to elect a well known alcoholic.
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I love how the twisted "love pentagon" of Weisner, Sheridan, Katterman, Wegman Construction, and Cordogan Clark has been so blatant in their collaboration and yet this continues throughout the city with the mayor and many of his other "buddies," including Linda Chapa LaVia and Co. This type of incestuous relationship will only continue to cost us, as taxpayers, hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This example of corruption at its finest has gone unnoticed due to a lack of publication on behalf of the Beacon News and ACTV.
When will these city council meetings be aired on TV like the rest of the surrounding cities?
Rumor is Clayton Muhammed's job will be to take over the TV station and run positive City articles on it. Remember when Hitler became a dictator he thought he could not be stopped and broadcasted all day to his fellow countrymen that he was superior. Weisner is on a power trip can't be stopped. It will cost O'connor his election
It is an absolute joke that in the year 2013 in the most advanced country on the face of the Earth that the second largest city in the State of Illinois does not and will not televise their City Council meetings for their own citizens to see. The tiny village of Montgomery has the common decency and transparency to televise it's Village meetings. Why can't the City of Aurora do the same?.......Because there is a clear intent of obscurring as much information as humanly possible. It's like telling the hard-working taxpayers and citizens of Aurora that THEY DO NOT NEED TO KNOW what's going on with their elected leaders and their taxpayer money. It's absolute bullshit.
2:58 So you are saying if city hall can't run a good city then they will make commercials that proclaim that they run a good city.
When the heads rolled in 2009 the only two people who were fired from ACTV were the ones who had the most skin in the game. Bob Shelton, who knew nothing about TV, was kept on. The director was left with no real help at all. Chris and Dereck had kept the station going during a period when there was no director. They alternated schedules so that the station was manned all day long and the public was served. Their reward? Both were laid off. The station stopped being public access and became government access. Very convenient for Weisner. People have been calling for televised council meetings since Stover was mayor. Under this reign of terror nothing of the sort will happen.
Anonymous Said... While we're on the Linda Chappa-Lavia investigation, one should point out all the hours her State Supplied Black Sedan....is parked behind Chapa Reality ???? Oh ! Really Linda, you thought no one would notice ???? On State time ??? You mean your office doesn't have a fax machine, or land line telephone ???? Sounds like the " Perfect Modus Operendi"for scheming deals with your brother Freddie !!!
Really? If you would spend more time investigating your own ridiculous comments and less time hiding behind your keyboard you would know that is not Linda's car, she doesn't work out of Chapa Realty nor does she hang out there. If you're gonna throw trash, please check through for what should be in your recycling before you toss it. It makes anything you say not credible
Oh come on 12:30, this blog has been nothing but credible since its inception in 2005. Don't be so critical, mean spirited and bullying. Chuck Goudie, Pam Zekman, Carol Marin, Michael Sneed, Mark Brown and Hunter S. Thompson all adore this venture.
What are the schemed deals?
The state does not provide legislators with state cars. Legislators drive their own cars and are entitled to special license plates that identify them as state legislators. They pay the standard license fee for those plates.
Gee, 11:41 sounds like your "investigation" skills suck.
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