District 214 faces ethics complaint for referendum-related polling

A taxpayer advocacy group Monday filed an ethics complaint against Northwest Suburban High School District 214 that raises questions about public resources used to conduct polling for what could be the district’s first referendum in more than five decades.

In a 14-page complaint delivered to the Arlington Heights-based district’s ethics officer, Americans for Prosperity — Illinois calls for an investigation into whether taxpayer-funded referendum activity crossed from factual information into prohibited polling, voter surveying, campaign strategy or referendum advocacy.

The libertarian advocacy group, which has a regional office in Rolling Meadows, filed a similar complaint in June against Palatine Township Elementary District 15 related to that district’s successful $93 million referendum in 2022.

“District 214 and its officials have the right to provide voters with neutral, factual information about facilities, building conditions, repair needs and lawful board deliberations,” Brian Costin, the organization’s deputy state director, wrote in the complaint. “They do not have the right to use taxpayer funds, public employee time, public resources or district-paid consultants to conduct referendum polling, test tax-increase options, measure voter support and opposition, identify the most politically viable ballot proposal, or shape a campaign to pass a referendum.”

Lindsey Dombrowski, a District 214 spokeswoman, confirmed the district received the complaint and “is in the process of evaluating it through the appropriate District 214 channels in accordance with board policy.”

The document outlines eight alleged violations, including prohibited political activity through public opinion polling, surveying voters to determine probable referendum outcomes, and use of public funds to shape a referendum campaign.

It cites “multiple red flags” and references Daily Herald reporting, including in November 2025 when then-EO Sullivan Consulting strategist Collin Corbett — now an independent candidate for governor — recommended district officials reduce proposed funding levels for a possible tax increase ballot question. An initial round of surveys showed the top tested level — $800 million worth of school building upgrades — was “not going to work,” Corbett said.

“That statement strongly suggests the polling was being used to determine probable vote outcome, tax tolerance and referendum viability,” Costin wrote.

Americans for Prosperity sent the district a cease-and-desist letter May 19 demanding a stop to polling, surveys, consultant work and communications used to measure public support for a potential referendum. That letter warned the district may be in violation of Illinois’ ethics and election laws.

Then at a June 25 school board meeting, consultant Ed Sullivan — a former Republican state representative — presented results of another round of phone and online surveys.

School board members appeared to lean toward a ballot question that would ask for at least $300 million in new taxing authority, in lieu of higher priced options of $375 million, $450 million or an in-between hybrid option.

The board is expected to solidify a dollar amount tied to specific projects when it meets Thursday, and could vote to approve formal ballot language Aug. 6, ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

The ethics charge, formally brought by Costin and three district residents, came with a 15-point Freedom of Information Act request seeking records related to the district’s referendum-related community engagement efforts. Copies of the document were also sent to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Illinois Attorney General and Cook County State’s Attorney.