Mark Weyermuller
@publicpolicyman • 12,788 subscribers
Taxpayer Advocate, Cubs Fan, Conservative Citizen Journalist, & Frequent Guest on Chicago Talk Radio. @IllinoisReview Contributor, Article Links Below⬇️
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In February 2026, we recorded the Village of Wilmette (Illinois) arborist discuss tree removal permits which appear to be a huge new tax on homeowners, builders, and businesses. His job is to decide if you are “allowed” to remove a tree from your own property and then charge the
Mark Weyermuller330,239 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten
QUESTIONING SPENDING OF TAX DOLLARS: Last night, the Village of Wilmette (Illinois) voted to spend $91,500 to do “masonry work” on the fountain at the Village Green in front of the village hall. I asked this to be taken off the consent agenda as they were going to approve this with no discussion. As you see the fountain has been in disrepair for years. Our informal polling, indicated the job should be less then $10,000. It seems like basic brick replacement, grinding, and tuckpointing. Are we missing something here? Should Wilmette do a better job of maintaining its building? After a short discussion, the expense was approved with a 7-0 vote. Also in the meeting the trustees voted to spend $550,000 to tear up Lake Avenue between Ridge and Sheridan to put in bike lanes. This money will go to an engineering group so unclear how much the whole project will cost and if grant money was involved. I toured Lake Avenue yesterday and it looks fine to me so why do this project? I was the only member of the public to attend this part meeting before they went to executive session where they discuss legal stuff, employee issues, and real estate transactions, With property taxes so high I feel we should be looking at these budgets line by line.
Mark Weyermuller67,377 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP: Last night at the Village of Wilmette (Illinois) appearance review commission, they spent time on “brick color” as profession architects from the Eden’s Plaza have to ask permission to redo their sign at the shopping mall. These meetings are not live streamed or video taped but an audio tape exists available only by FOIA. Our videos are the only video of these public meetings, This village is trying to micromanage every aspect of home remodeling & construction in the area. These are seven unelected people who make recommendations to the village board. We want to streamline & lower the cost of remodeling to improve commerce in Illinois. This board should be eliminated today as there is NO VALUE ADDED. .
Mark Weyermuller89,141 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
WILMETTE PUBLC COMMENT: This resident spoke last night during the Wilmette (Illinois) Village Board of Trustees meeting. He wants to cut down an old tree on his property that is causing damage to his sidewalk from the roots. It is a nuisance and a danger. The village now calls old trees “heritage trees” not in an effort to preserved trees but to charge new permit fees. The permit fee use to be $75 and quite often people don’t get permits. Most people only remove trees that are a hazard or might be in the way of a new construction of home addition. This resident was charge a $5000 permit tree to cut down a dying tree that was a nuisance and potential danger. The village has taken this as a CASH GRAB opportunity with mention of the direction of the new revenue source to section 8 & subsidized housing for connected developers. The village is also considering increasing demolition fees from $4500 to $20,000. I’m not sure but maybe there should be NO fees to improve your property. This resident who complained about the tree permit fees might had been a senior. So now the village trustees are talking about “affordable housing” for seniors yet they are increasing permit fees not to mention property tax increases for seniors, THIS IS NOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. You can’t make this stuff up.
Mark Weyermuller47,741 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten
BAGPIPES for the 608 fallen officers: Amazing Grace is played for the 2026 St. Jude Police Memorial today Sunday, May 3, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m. in Chicago, honoring fallen CPD officers, including recent additions, and supporting Gold Star Families. The march takes place on Michigan Avenue to honor the fallen.
Mark Weyermuller36,724 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten
SUSTAINABILITY; Last night the Village of Wilnette (Illinois)discussed spending thousands of dollars on a “feasibility study” to get landscapers to stop using gas leaf blowers. You can’t make this stuff up. Generally I oppose all polls, surveys, & studies using tax money paid to expensive public relations and survey companies. This is an example of “policy imitation” where multiple towns and villages are doing this perhaps costing many thousands of dollars. The person giving the presentation went to an out of state conference to study these studies so we can be sustainable, of course tax money was used for the junket. I would like a study in cutting taxes. The power point presentation took over 25 minutes that could had been just sent out or done in 3 minutes. I’ll put link up to video of whole meeting. You can’t make this stuff up.
Mark Weyermuller25,216 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten
The 2026 St. Jude Police Memorial March is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m. in Chicago, honoring fallen CPD officers, including recent additions, and supporting Gold Star Families. The march traditionally features hundreds of photos along Michigan Avenue to honor the fallen. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is in attendance.
Mark Weyermuller20,753 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten