Gail Borden library referendum an early 'Yes'

A majority of voters answered "Yes" to a referendum question to annex land to the Gail Borden Public Library District in early vote counts Tuesday night.

District residents, along with residents of unserved areas on the western edge of the district, were asked if they want to annex those unserved areas.

In Cook County, there are 3,961 votes in favor, or 71 percent of the total, compared to 3,961 against, with 17 out of 18 precincts reporting. In Kane County, there are 9,185 "Yes" votes, or 70 percent of the total, vs. 3,126 votes against with 31 out of 66 precincts reporting.

A majority of district voters and a majority of voters in the unserved areas must approve the referendum question.

The results affect an estimated 870 unserved households east of Route 47, generally north of Burlington Road and south of Plank Road, mostly in Elgin and Plato Township.

Any precincts in the unserved areas with a majority of "Yes" votes would get annexed individually.

The new district members would start paying library taxes in 2015.

For a house with an assessed value of $150,000, library taxes are estimated at about $240 annually.

The library district serves more than 144,000 residents in Elgin, South Elgin and portions of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood and Bartlett.