Elmhurst Schools Want $5.3M More From Taxpayers

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst school system plans to raise its property tax levy by $5.3 million, with officials pointing to cost hikes as the cause.

Under the levy, the owner of a $500,000 house should expect to see a $165 increase in property taxes next year. That amount could vary, depending on the rise in property assessments.

The school district is pointing to expected increases in its expenses – health insurance at 8 percent, bus transportation at 5 percent, food at 7 percent and energy at 9 percent.

"Utility rates are on the rise," Joe Blomquist, the district's assistant superintendent of finance, told the school board Tuesday. "We're starting to see demand on electricity because of all the data centers and AI facilities that are pulling in a lot of electricity use."

Teachers' salaries make up more than half the budget. Under the union contract approved last year, teachers received a 3 percent increase for this school year and 2.9 percent for next.

The district expects its expenses to go up by $5 million each year because of inflation and negotiated agreements.

Nearly 85 percent of the district's income comes from property taxes. This year, 73 percent of local property tax bills went to the schools.

At Tuesday's meeting, the school board gave preliminary approval for next year's tax levy, which includes new construction.

The total levy is $147.8 million.