Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Plans to improve Jerome concern District 186 superintendent Jennifer Gill — if the village succeeds in securing a tax increment finance district.

“The TIF will have a $4.43 million negative impact to the district over the next 23 years,” said Gill. “They gain money, and they gain things for their community, but we lose money for operating funds in District 186.”

Board member Micah Miller says there are many reasons to be worried. “It’s death by 1000 cuts,” he said, “especially when (COVID relief money is running out), especially when the cost of oper ating is at an all-time high, and as we are sitting down bargaining, it would be very hard for me to get on board with another TIF district.”

A final decision on whether to approve Jerome’s proposal has yet to be made.