Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
(Make sure you receive all the local news The Lansing Journal publishes, not just the videos! Subscribe to The Lansing Journal's Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube )
Thornton Township residents learned that the Thornton Township Board will be voting on a proposed 4% increase in the tax levy at their December 16, 2025, meeting. No specifics about the need for the increase were offered by the Thornton Township Finance Director, trustees, or supervisor — in fact, Thornton Township required The Lansing Journal to file a FOIA request in order to learn anything at all. (Read Carole Sharwarko's article: thelansingjournal.org/2025/12/04/thornton-township-to-consider-4-increase-in-tax-levy )
So when a 2025 tax levy was on the December 2 agenda for Lansing Village Board, it was remarkable to note the differences. This video shows the detailed information presented by Lansing Finance Director Brian Hanigan, including his efforts to keep the increase as low as possible, "for the sake of our residents." Moreover, board members engage with the process and affirm their role as public servants. All this information and discussion is shared at a Committee of the Whole meeting, giving residents and board members two weeks to consider it and ask questions ahead of the vote at the December 16 meeting.
0:00 - Finance Trustee Micaela Smith introduces Village Finance Director Brian Hanigan
0:24 - Finance Director Hanigan spends seven minutes sharing numbers and reasoning with the board
7:16 - Trustee Jerry Zeldenrust confirms the rules about increase limits
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The questionable politics of Thornton Township Supervisors Tiffany Henyard and now Napoleon Harris brought new viewers and subscribers to our channel, and we appreciate their interest in our local politics. But most of the news that happens in Lansing and other parts of Thornton Township is much less dramatic but just as important. The Lansing Journal serves a diverse community and offers a diverse range of news — stories that are often overlooked by larger media. If you are interested in what local news looks like, subscribe to The Lansing Journal:
• Our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
• Our Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom, and we depend on support from our viewers and readers in order to provide the journalism our community deserves. Visit the Donate page on our website to make a tax-deductible donation: thelansingjournal.org/donate
Every dollar goes directly into the journalism and helps support this local newspaper as we serve our community.
MISSION
The Lansing Journal is the only newspaper in Lansing, Illinois. Our mission is Building Community, and we fulfill that mission by keeping our diverse community informed and connected through local independent news that is freely accessible.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
(Make sure you receive all the local news The Lansing Journal publishes, not just the videos! Subscribe to The Lansing Journal's Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube )
Thornton Township residents learned that the Thornton Township Board will be voting on a proposed 4% increase in the tax levy at their December 16, 2025, meeting. No specifics about the need for the increase were offered by the Thornton Township Finance Director, trustees, or supervisor — in fact, Thornton Township required The Lansing Journal to file a FOIA request in order to learn anything at all. (Read Carole Sharwarko's article: thelansingjournal.org/2025/12/04/thornton-township-to-consider-4-increase-in-tax-levy )
So when a 2025 tax levy was on the December 2 agenda for Lansing Village Board, it was remarkable to note the differences. This video shows the detailed information presented by Lansing Finance Director Brian Hanigan, including his efforts to keep the increase as low as possible, "for the sake of our residents." Moreover, board members engage with the process and affirm their role as public servants. All this information and discussion is shared at a Committee of the Whole meeting, giving residents and board members two weeks to consider it and ask questions ahead of the vote at the December 16 meeting.
0:00 - Finance Trustee Micaela Smith introduces Village Finance Director Brian Hanigan
0:24 - Finance Director Hanigan spends seven minutes sharing numbers and reasoning with the board
7:16 - Trustee Jerry Zeldenrust confirms the rules about increase limits
=========
The questionable politics of Thornton Township Supervisors Tiffany Henyard and now Napoleon Harris brought new viewers and subscribers to our channel, and we appreciate their interest in our local politics. But most of the news that happens in Lansing and other parts of Thornton Township is much less dramatic but just as important. The Lansing Journal serves a diverse community and offers a diverse range of news — stories that are often overlooked by larger media. If you are interested in what local news looks like, subscribe to The Lansing Journal:
• Our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
• Our Daily News email: thelansingjournal.org/subscribe-from-youtube
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom, and we depend on support from our viewers and readers in order to provide the journalism our community deserves. Visit the Donate page on our website to make a tax-deductible donation: thelansingjournal.org/donate
Every dollar goes directly into the journalism and helps support this local newspaper as we serve our community.
MISSION
The Lansing Journal is the only newspaper in Lansing, Illinois. Our mission is Building Community, and we fulfill that mission by keeping our diverse community informed and connected through local independent news that is freely accessible.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/@lansingjournal?sub_confirmation=1
