The Belvidere Wire
A first draft of the public record.
Vol. 1 · No. 5 · Monday, October 12, 2026
Twelve residents speak against proposed Hawkeye data center
A dozen Belvidere residents turned out to oppose Project Hawkeye, a proposed data center and annexation, at the city council meeting. Speakers included Billi Darenger, Michael Novak, Lloyd Roberts, Ruth Haberstich, Kay Wilson, William and Katie Boughton, Anne O'Haire, Teresa Stein, Jeff Hulsey, Rebecca Meyer, and Lisa Fitzgerald. The council took no immediate action on the proposal.
City Council · Sep 28, 2026
County reviews nearly $600,000 in new positions and equipment
The finance committee reviewed capital requests and staffing proposals including an IT firewall upgrade, additional probation and corrections staff, raises for public defender and state's attorney employees, and a possible shared FOIA attorney position with Belvidere. The total recommended package approaches $600,000. The draft budget will be formally laid over next week and remains open to changes before November approval.
COTW – Finance, Taxation & Salaries · Oct 8, 2026
County creates fund for tax sale claims with limited revenue
The committee approved a new fund to handle claims from property owners who lost homes worth more than their tax debts at county sales, following a Supreme Court decision. The $20-per-parcel fee will generate about $6,000 annually against potential claims topping $300,000. Officials acknowledged it would take 50 years to collect enough to cover current exposure.
COTW – Finance, Taxation & Salaries · Oct 8, 2026
State's Attorney seeks salary boost to stem attorney departures
The State's Attorney requested 5% raises for six attorneys and larger increases for three senior positions, citing recent departures to better-paying government jobs in Rockford and McHenry County. The office is down one felony prosecutor since May and 25 cases ahead of last year despite the vacancy. Comparisons show Boone attorneys earn $20,000 to $50,000 less than neighboring counties.
COTW – Administrative & Legislative · Oct 1, 2026
School improvement day waiver set for public hearing
The Educational Services Committee was scheduled to review a waiver request that would allow the district to hold three full days of school improvement planning instead of six half days. The waiver would cover the 2027-2028 through 2031-2032 school years and was set for a public hearing and board vote on October 19.
Educational Services Committee · Oct 7, 2026
City approves nearly $2 million Allen Street drainage project
The council awarded a $1,987,322.50 contract to N-Trak Group for the Allen Street Pond Outlet to the River Project. The low bid will be paid from capital funds. The project is designed to improve stormwater drainage from the Allen Street pond into the Kishwaukee River.
City Council · Sep 28, 2026
Committee reviews levy requests from outside agencies
Senior Connections requested a $28,000 increase to $210,000, citing rising costs across wages, insurance, and supplies. University of Illinois Extension asked to restore its levy to $130,000 after last year's reduction, and Growth Dimensions Economic Development sought an additional $5,000. The Regional Office of Education requested $32,000 more, largely to cover losing free office space in Loves Park.
COTW – Finance, Taxation & Salaries · Oct 8, 2026
District administration building bids scheduled for review
The Belvidere District 100 Business Services Committee was scheduled to consider bids for work on the district administration building. The committee was also set to review financial updates on ongoing Phase 1 facility improvements and whether to integrate Phase 2 projects with the current work.
Business Services Committee · Oct 6, 2026
District scorecard tracks progress on strategic plan goals
The committee was set to review the 2026-2027 district scorecard, which tracks growth targets for key performance indicators across five strategic plan goals. Individual school scorecards aligned with district priorities were also scheduled for review, with both items set for board approval on October 19.
Educational Services Committee · Oct 7, 2026
Council approves emergency wastewater plant filter repairs
The council waived competitive bidding and approved spending $159,011 from the Sewer Depreciation Account to replace two aging disc filters at the wastewater treatment plant. The 15-year-old filters exceeded their expected lifespan. Two additional filters will be repaired over the next two years.
City Council · Sep 28, 2026
Maintenance grant and facility controls up for approval
The committee was scheduled to vote on a 2027 maintenance grant project and network-leveling controls installation for district buildings. The agenda also included updates on the district's strategic plan for operational resources and financial reports on facility improvements through September 30.
Business Services Committee · Oct 6, 2026
Student transfer policy revisions under review
The Policy and Personnel Committee was scheduled to review changes to Board Policy 7:30 governing student transfers and intra-district assignments. The revisions included updated transfer request forms in both English and Spanish. The committee met October 8 but no record shows what was decided.
Policy & Personnel Committee · Oct 8, 2026