Huntley approves tax levy increase, but smaller budget

Huntley residents could see a small increase in the village portion of their property tax bills next year.

The village board recently approved a 4.5% increase in the town’s property tax levy. But at the same time, tax rates are falling.

The owner of a home worth $365,000 was billed $473.42 in village taxes in 2025. That home now is estimated to be worth $393,427, and the owners are expected to pay $483.06 in village taxes in 2026, according to village records. That’s an increase of around $9.64.

The levy will be about $5.73 million, up about $246,790 from the one approved last year.

Huntley is a home rule municipality and is not subject to Illinois’ property tax cap law, which limits how much of a property tax increase the village may request.

However, the village’s tax rate is decreasing. Village Manager Dave Johnson said earlier this month that the rate is going from .3891 to .3683 per $100 of assessed value.

New construction is supporting about 54% of the levy increase, while existing properties are absorbing 46% of it, Johnson said.

Existing property values in Huntley appreciated about 7.79%, according to village documents. Properties that appreciated less might see a tax bill come in below estimates, and properties that appreciated more than that might get a tax bill higher than estimated.

“All estimates are reflective of the entire community and will vary from property to property,” according to village documents.

The board voted unanimously to pass the levy increase. Trustee Vito Benigno was absent.

Village officials laid out a variety of scenarios last month. One would have increased the levy 2.49%, the equivalent of the police pension increase. Another scenario would have raised the levy 2.9%.

In addition to the levy, the village board approved next year’s budget. No members of the public spoke during a public hearing on the spending plan.

The budget calls for just under $49.6 million in expenses, Johnson said, noting that’s $5.2 million, or roughly 9%, less than the 2025 budget.