Baldermann Defends Investment Strategy, Blasts Social Media Critics

Village of New Lenox Meeting | Nov. 24, 2025

Article Summary: New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann issued a fiery defense of the Village Board’s decision to suspend the property tax rebate program in favor of capital reinvestment, while sharply criticizing online misinformation.

New Lenox Village Board Key Points:

• Rebate vs. Reinvestment: Baldermann argued that suspending the $2.5 million rebate to self-fund land acquisition and development saves taxpayers $3.5 million in interest compared to borrowing.

• Growth Statistics: The Mayor cited 1,000 new homes currently planned and noted New Lenox led Will County in home value increases recently.

• Social Media Pushback: Baldermann referred to online critics spreading misinformation as “gutless, cowardly, keyboard warriors.”

• Future Revenue: The strategy aims to reinstate the rebate later using sales tax revenue generated by new developments like the Crossroads Sports Complex and The Patio.

NEW LENOX, Ill. – During the New Lenox Village Board meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025, Mayor Tim Baldermann delivered a lengthy and spirited defense of the village’s financial strategy, specifically addressing the recent suspension of the property tax rebate program.

Baldermann utilized his report time to counter what he described as misinformation circulating on social media regarding the board’s spending and development decisions. He argued that the board is strategically reinvesting cash reserves into land acquisition and major projects—such as the Crossroads Sports Complex and the redevelopment of the Route 30 corridor—rather than borrowing money at current interest rates.

Baldermann presented a specific financial scenario to the audience: the village could either return approximately $2.5 million to residents through the rebate program and then borrow that same amount for necessary land purchases, or use the cash on hand.

“We’re at about $80,000 a million [in interest] for 30 years,” Baldermann calculated. “So to give that $2.5 million back costs the taxpayer $6 million. That doesn’t make any sense.”

The Mayor emphasized that the suspension of the rebate is intended to be temporary. He stated that the village is “committed to bringing it back” once new commercial developments, such as hotels and restaurants associated with the sports complex, begin generating sales tax revenue.

“The choice is we could give the property tax rebate and borrow and have everyone pay interest,” Baldermann said. “If people understand all that and they still disagree… then they clearly don’t understand finance 101.”

In addition to the financial breakdown, Baldermann touted the village’s economic health, noting that despite a general slowdown in residential building, New Lenox has approximately 1,000 new homes “on the books” across several subdivisions. He also cited a recent Tribune article ranking New Lenox number one in home value increases among Will County communities.

The Mayor’s comments took a sharp turn when addressing online criticism of the board’s decisions.

“It’s not easy being an elected official when you’ve got people who take a shred of evidence or a little opinion and take to the gutless, cowardly, keyboard warrior little corner of their home to make attacks,” Baldermann said.

He encouraged residents to attend the Citizen’s Academy or run for office if they believe they can manage the village better, but dismissed social media “squawkers.”

“Differences of opinion, I love it. Educated, informed discussion, I love it. Cheap shots on social media, I got no time for you,” Baldermann concluded.