Surprise approvals for four tax issues

The "experts" said it would never happen.

But amid a weak economy, voters approved four referendums on the ballot in the Fox Lake/Volo/Ingleside area.

The outcome means Fox Lake Library will get a new building, Grant High School will expand to keep pace with growing enrollment, Big Hollow will reinstate programs that were cut and Volo will make intersection improvements to meet growth demands.

Lake County District 5 Board member Bonnie Thomson Carter said she was stunned.

"People complain about property taxes all the time, and yet, they approved all the referendums," Carter said Wednesday. "What this tells me is that, while they are upset with high taxes, they want to invest in their community."

Unofficial results showed the four victorious ballot questions:

• Grant High School District 124 expansion and renovation referendum: 4,891 "yes" to 3,126 "no."

• Fox Lake Library District referendum for a new $15 million library: 3,029 "yes" to 2,581 "no."

• Big Hollow Elementary District 38's $10 million operational fund bond referendum: 1,763 "yes" to 1,658 "no."

• Volo home rule referendum: 145 "yes" to 135 "no."

Because of the different ballot questions, tax rates for individual homeowners will fluctuate depending on where people live.

But, residents who decided the District 38, District 124 and Fox Lake Library questions will see their tax rates rise by 66 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation.

Volo's referendum did not affect property tax rates. Grant High School's referendum would have cut property tax rates if voted down.

According to the Grant Township assessor's office, those same voters who own a $280,000 home will see their tax bills increase by about $620 annually to pay for all the new amenities.

Volo Mayor Burnell Russell said he was surprised and happy about the outcome.

"Common sense said all the referendums would hurt each other and they all would have failed," he said. "But the people made a go at it and got it done. It's great for everyone."

However, not all voters were in a giving mood.

Three other tax rate increase proposals -- Antioch Fire Protection District, Wauconda Park District and village of Deer Park -- were defeated at the polls.