District 23 tax hike request fails for second time in a year

One year after a similar ballot question was narrowly defeated, a measure to approve a tax hike in Prospect Heights Elementary School District 23 seems headed for another loss.

With all precincts counted, 1,675 voters voted against, while 1,402 voted in favor, according to unofficial tallies.

The money would have helped District 23 meet a mandate for full-day kindergarten. The district calculated that the increase would add $145 to the property tax bill for every $100,000 of a home’s fair market value.

The additional funding was to be used to renovate and expand Eisenhower Elementary School. The district also would have used the money to install security equipment and replace windows, siding and doors at three schools.

Deer Park sales tax levy

Voters in Deer Park approved a measure allowing the village to continue levying the additional 0.5% non-home rule sales tax voters approved on a temporary basis in 2021.

Voters in Lake County put the question ahead 518 to 106. Late Tuesday results showed only three votes in Cook County, with two voting for and one against.

Officials said it would equate to 25 cents on a $50 purchase. They emphasized that Deer Park, which does not levy a property tax, has 90% of its sales taxes provided from nonresident shoppers.

Elk Grove Rural Fire Protection District

A measure to dissolve the Elk Grove Rural Fire Protection District appears headed for defeat, with 45 voters against and only four in favor in unofficial tallies. The district ceased fire and emergency medical services Oct. 1. Mount Prospect has taken over those functions, and a new special tax levy will fund operations. With a no vote, it could be up to the state legislature to dissolve the district.

Hanover Park Park District bonds

Voters approved a tax hike for the first time in the 60-year history of the Hanover Park Park District, with the measure leading 472 to 250 in Cook County and 664 to 364 in DuPage. The district will sell $8 million in bonds to replace the original 48-year-old fabric roofs over two wings of its Community Center. Over the 25-year life of the bonds, it would cost Cook County homeowners about $40 more annually for every $100,000 of property value. DuPage homeowners would pay about $45 more a year, officials say.

Roselle home rule

Roselle is on its way toward becoming a home-rule community, with voters favoring the question 2,068 to 1,416 in DuPage and 247 to 208 in Cook. Officials said the change will allow the village to secure more funding for infrastructure. Village officials said a minimum of $4.5 million in additional revenue is needed. Passage enables the village to establish a local sales tax and local gasoline tax to generate revenue for mandated improvements to Roselle's wastewater treatment facilities.

Glenbard High School District 87 building upgrades

Yes votes led late Tuesday in Glenbard High School District 87’s request for a property-tax hike to fund various building projects at the district’s four high schools. There were 11,869 votes in favor and 11,780 against in unofficial tallies. The district will borrow $183 million.