School budgets, academic achievements and TIF 2 lawsuits were all discussed at the monthly board meeting for West Chicago Community High School that took place on Feb. 17 in the Community Room.
Part of the February meeting was spent reading public comments regarding the handling of the tax increment financing district (TIF 2).
District 34 and School District 94 filed a lawsuit in 2021 challenging the Village of Winfield’s creation of TIF 2, which is tied to redevelopment plans for the town center. TIF districts are used in Illinois to encourage development in areas that have been historically dormant or slow to grow.
In March 2025, a DuPage County Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of the Village of Winfield, upholding the legality of TIF 2. Both districts appealed the decision to the Illinois Third District Appellate Court.
On Feb. 4, 2026, an appellate court unanimously ruled in favor of the Village of Winfield. The districts may still petition the Illinois Supreme Court to hear the case.
In a message posted on the Village of Winfield website, Village President Carl Sorgatz wrote, “We hope our neighbors at D34 and D94 agree it is time to put this divisive matter behind us.”
Community members who submitted electronic comments to the board expressed similar concerns.
“We pay close to $3,000 a year to pay for District 94. We would like to know how much of that money is going to pay for these lawsuits that consistently fail. How sad and wasteful is that,” Bernard Bartelli, a resident of the Village of Winfield, said via online public comment read at the meeting. “District 94 board members are elected to give our high school students a great education. We would like you to focus on that and let the Village run the Village. According to the latest Illinois report card, you have a 30% chronic absentee rate. You have an 88% graduation rate. Use the money you have wasted on court battles to fix those items and let the Village run the Village.”
Board members did not publicly respond to the comments during open session.
In addition to hearing from the public on the subject of TIF 2, the Board also honored the district’s Distinguished Alumni, Dr. Jessica Munos and Robert Taylor. The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to one alumnus every year who has shown they go above and beyond in their careers and community. This year, two recipients were chosen.
“Since they were both amazing people who would stop at nothing to advocate for others and represent what a true leader means to us, we chose both,” Omar Lutfiyev, a student on the Distinguished Alumni Advisory Board, said in a previous email to the Wildcat Chronicle.
The award was followed by additional academic awards for students and for staff. AP U.S. history and American government teacher, John Chisholm, was recognized as Educator of the Month for the care he demonstrates for his students, as well as for always celebrating small and big wins for them.
Then, Student of the Month, senior Rachel Knaack, was honored for her commitment to the high school. Knaack is a two-time committee chair in the National Honor Society, a high honor roll student, an AP and academic scholar, Student Council public relations officer, and a Health Occupations Students of America state qualifier.
Knaack’s advice for underclassmen?
“Get involved early,” Knaack said.
Illinois State Scholars for the years 2026–2027 were also announced, recognizing 39 students from the Class of 2026. Five scholars were present and acknowledged individually during the meeting.
The following students have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars in 2026: Valeria Ballines, Alina Baranska, Jacob Benites, Julia Bloss, Brockton Brown, Elana Canabal Ferris, Zakay Cuevas, Alex Durkin, Alyson Dusing, Alexandria Garcia, Lesley Garcia, Sneha George, Rachel Knaack, Cassiella Koeune, Julia Kopp, Matthew Krysinski, Grace Kuehn, Kody Lean, Alexis Leszczewicz, Aaron Lorenc, Joseph Marszalek, Lia Mazurski, Katie Munoz, Jessie Myers, Brian Nguyen, Gwenneth Nika, Mason Ostapa, Nick Riconosciuto, Nicholas Roskelly, Gavin Roster, Lucas Rudden, Caleb Salzman, Magdalena Schave, Ryan Slattery, Daniel Stazciowski, Hailey Teran, Avery Unger, Nataniel Valenzuela and Jayna Vock.
“I am glad to be recognized for my hard work throughout my high school career,” Lorenc said.
Other items on the agenda included the music department’s concerts, wins for the girls’ wrestling team, and the 100th anniversary of the school, which is coming up in September.
“We look forward to the next 100 years,” Dr. Kurt Johansen, superintendent, said.
The board also approved an affiliation agreement with Elmhurst University as part of the consent agenda.
