Aging schools and open space: Here’s what’s on the ballot in DuPage County
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the tax impact of a library ballot question.
Come Election Day, voters throughout DuPage County will decide whether school, library and park districts can borrow millions for major building projects.
Here’s a look at some of the referendum questions on their ballots:
Wheaton schools
Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 is seeking voter approval to issue $151.5 million in bonds for significant upgrades and renovations to Edison, Franklin and Monroe middle schools.
With current debt expiring, there would still be a decrease in the district's bond and interest portion of the property tax bill, regardless of the referendum outcome.
If voters approve the request, the owner of a home valued at $403,700 — the median in the district — would see a tax decrease of approximately $71 based on two, 15-year debt issuances.
Should the measure fail, the district’s share of the property tax bill for that median homeowner would decrease by roughly $450 to $500 annually.
The three middle schools were built in the 1950s and 60s. Under the plan, the district would modernize science labs and improve school security and infrastructure, including electrical and fire alarm systems, plumbing, HVAC units, lighting and flooring. All three schools would have newly renovated or relocated library learning centers.
The district also would make “critical improvements to accessibility and ADA compliance across these three buildings,” Superintendent Jeff Schuler said at a virtual town hall.
At Monroe, a new performing arts auditorium would be modeled off the one at Hubble Middle School. The district also would build a performing arts wing at Franklin and expand the Edison gymnasium.
“It’s going to bring some parity across all four of our middle schools as we update, upgrade our lab spaces, our music spaces, our infrastructure and our mechanical,” Schuler said.
Indian Prairie schools
Indian Prairie District 204 wants to issue $420 million in bonds to make improvements at each of its 33 school buildings.
The Aurora-based district is asking voters for 37 cents for every $100 of assessed value to fund the projects. District officials said homeowners would not see an increase in the tax rate because the new debt would replace retiring debt from 2006.
Currently, the owner of a $250,000 home pays about $275 a year to repay the old bonds. If the referendum is approved, homeowners would forgo a property tax bill decrease once the old debt is paid off.
The district would use the bond proceeds to replace aging infrastructure such as heating and cooling systems and bring additional layers of security to school entrances.
Three schools — Waubonsie Valley High School and Gregory and Hill middle schools — would undergo extensive renovations. The Birkett Freshman Center would be repurposed, and freshman students would move back into Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville after it is reconfigured. The district also would decommission and sell the “underutilized” Wheatland and Indian Plains buildings.
DuPage forest preserves
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is asking voters for a property tax increase to raise more than $17 million in additional annual revenue.
If it passes, the owner of a home valued at $308,500 would pay roughly $36 more a year in property taxes to the district. The funding would, among other things, allow the district to acquire more land and provide “long-term financial stability,” officials said.
“We have an opportunity to really kind of cement a great legacy of continuing to buy some strategic land,” Forest Preserve President Daniel Hebreard said.
According to a district FAQ, the current property tax levy does not provide enough annual revenue to support existing operations and acquire additional land.
Roselle library
The Roselle Public Library would construct a new building on the former site of the Trinity Community Center if voters approve a $22 million funding plan.
The Maple Avenue property is currently owned by the village. The library and the village would swap their respective parcels should voters sign off on the project.
Library leaders previously sought to replace their existing facility on the same Park Street site. Voters in April 2023 turned down that request by just 22 votes.
“We want to be able to do more, and our building is holding us back,” said Samantha Johnson, the library’s executive director.
With voter approval in November, the district would issue bonds to build a library campus near Pine Park with additional and larger meeting spaces, a drive-up window and attached parking. The owner of a home valued at $300,000 would pay an anticipated $179 in additional property taxes to the library district annually.
Salt Creek schools
Salt Creek District 48 is asking voters to approve the sale of $48 million in bonds for new security features and accessibility improvements at its three schools.
The district wants to have a two-step entry process at every school. It also hopes to replace the original gym and locker rooms at Albright Middle School in Villa Park. An addition would be built to Salt Creek Primary in Elmhurst for STEM, art and music rooms.
The bond sale would cost the owner of a home valued at $325,000 an estimated $381 more a year in property taxes to the district. The district plans to use $4.3 million of existing funds to help pay for projects.
Elmhurst parks
The Elmhurst Park District is seeking voter approval to issue $89.95 million in bonds.
The park district would replace the Wagner Community Center with a new 127,250-square-foot facility, build a band shell in Wilder Park, convert a grass field to artificial turf at Berens Park, and install heated, permanent restrooms in Wilder, Crestview Park, Eldridge Park and along the Prairie Path.
If approved, the owner of a home valued at $500,000 — the median in Elmhurst — would pay roughly $317 in additional property taxes to the park district per year for 25 years.
• Daily Herald staff writer Alicia Fabbre contributed to this report.