Schaumburg Township library board approves $1.5 million property tax abatement

Citing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Schaumburg Township District Library board approved a $1.5 million abatement on property taxes this week.

"All trustees were in unanimous agreement that our residents would benefit from any amount of economic relief we can provide at this time," library board President Anita Forte-Scott said in an announcement of the abatement. "We're proud to make this gesture of goodwill to show the community we care."

The $1.5 million abatement represents an approximately 9.4% temporary reduction of the district's tax levy, officials said. While there are several factors determining how much property owners pay, if all other factors remain unchanged, homeowners can expect a roughly 9.4% decrease in how much they pay the library district on the second installment of their tax bill.

"Through years of careful planning and strong financial stewardship, we can offer this abatement without affecting ongoing library services," Forte-Scott said.

The library district's buildings remain closed to the public, but some services are available online. The library also is accepting returns in the drop box at the north end of the main library parking lot, 130 S Roselle Road in Schaumburg, and plans to soon launch a curbside pickup service, officials say.

The library district serves about 130,000 residents in portions of Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates and Streamwood.