Speak Now, Streator: TIF Hearing Set for Wednesday

There’s a meeting at City Hall this Wednesday, July 2nd, at 6:00 PM—and if you care about Streator’s future, you should probably be there.

The topic? A proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to help fund a new Beck’s gas station project across from City Park—on the very site where the historic Immaculate Conception Church still stands. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: we don’t think demolishing a landmark to build another gas station is the kind of progress this town needs.

But here’s the thing: our opinion isn’t the only one that matters. Yours does too.

Too often, people feel like the future of Streator is being written behind closed doors. Like big decisions are made before the public even hears about them. But this is your chance to change that story. This is your opportunity to step up to the microphone, literally, and be heard.

Maybe you’re in favor of the gas station. Maybe you think it’ll boost traffic downtown or bring jobs or finally put that site to use. Great. Show up and say so.

Maybe you think we’ve seen enough bulldozers, enough demolition, and enough out-of-town development incentives. Maybe you believe there are better ways to grow this city than tearing down its soul. That’s fine too. Show up and say that.

The point is this: Streator is nothing without its people. Not its tax incentives, not its site plans, not even its opinionated local publications.

And right now, we have a chance to prove that Streator is still a place where public input matters. So if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why didn’t they ask us?”—this is one of those rare times when they actually have.

So come. Speak. Show your kids what democracy looks like. Show your neighbors you care. Show yourself that you’re still part of this city’s story.

Wednesday, July 2nd. 6 PM. City Hall.

Be there. Be heard. Be Streator.