Add more taxes to create interest in the area, thats interesting. So Illinois just added one of the largest tax increases in American history to businesses, so whats another 1 percent. I think the struggle is not to keep business in St Charles but in Illinois. The last thing a business wants to hear is more taxes. HECK why stop at 1 percent, just increase it to 50 percent and businesses will be fighting to get into St Charles.

I want to make sure I am reading this correctly, the city wants to increase the tax rate on businesses in an area that is lacking business. The thought being that the moneys raised will be used to attract more business. Or, a business can just move to a less taxed area of the city and save themselves some money. Who comes up with these idiotic ideas?

Wow, taxes, it fixes everything.... This should be the final nail for any east side business still surviving.... More government.... That's the answer..... Sad day for St. Charles.... Now I know why I see tumble weeds by 10th avenue.....

Love this idea! Tax the empty mall when you really just want extra $$$ from Target and Wal*Mart since they have deep pockets. Let's add a hotel tax on the bankrupt Pheasant Run too. This city is in sad shape we need new leaders with vision.

It is a sad day indeed for St. Charles that so many people commenting here don't have the reading comprehension skills of a Jr High student. The tax is a sales tax. It is not a tax on the businesses.

Thanks for clarifying that Nick. Also in speaking to Mr. Aiston this afternoon it has been deemed that it will hopefully spark a larger name retailer to come to the area.
Taxes are not always a bad thing depending on what they serve and create.

At a forum held last week, business and property owners said that improving retail on the east side of the city is their #1 goal for the city as it forms a new comprehensive plan. This proposed business district is one way to achieve that. The proposed business district would impose a tax on purchases in this corridor to generate revenue to support additional development and leverage investment in the area. Pursuant to state law, there are specific criteria that must be satisfied to create the Business District. While staff believes that the East Main Street area has lagged other areas of the city in development/redevelopment, we do not know if the area qualifies until a detailed study is conducted. At this time, city staff has only requested permission from the City Council to study this idea and report the results.

@Nick-Your welcome. I can only hope everyone understands the effort that needs to take place to make your communities stronger along with continuing to shop local businesses like ours.

When I lived in Bloomingdale I refused to shop at Stratford Square because of the additional 3/4% levied on business in the mall. I think the fix for this is that we should elect more Democrats so they can raise taxes, create more taxes, eliminate jobs, not live up to their own agreements, and spend money to help their own personal cause. Can anyone find fault with that argument?

The problem with the east side has nothing to do with "street, traffic light or landscaping" It has to do with property owners who don't try to fill the empty storefronts and don't keep up their own property in an attractive manner. Taxing the businesses that are still managing to survive won't help a bit. We need property maintenance codes that are enforcable, and property owners that are accountable. How about a tax on empty store fronts as an incentive for the property owners to fill those vacancies.