What To Know About Flossmoor's Referendum Before Casting A Vote

FLOSSMOOR, IL — On Election Day Flossmoor voters will decide whether they think the village should enable a general obligation bonds for infrastructure improvement in the village.

If voters pass this referendum, the bonds would be used for resurfacing and reconstructing streets and sidewalks all over the village. It would also contribute to improvements to stormwater infrastructure used for reducing flooding in the Flossmoor Road viaduct and upstream tributary areas of the Heather Hill, and neighborhood north of Downtown, according to the village.

These bonds would be used to finance needed improvements to village infrastructure. According to the village, if the majority vote to approve this action, $10 million in general obligation bonds would be paid off in 20 years. This bond would be financed by the village's property tax levy and would replace an $8 million bond issued by the village to build the Flossmoor Public Library, which would be paid off by 2021.

The question on the ballot will be written as seen below:

Shall the Village of Flossmoor, Cook County, Illinois, issue General Obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000, said bonds bearing interest at not to exceed the rate of 9.00% per annum, for the purpose of paying the costs of the following infrastructure improvements throughout the Village: street reconstruction, street resurfacing and sidewalk improvements; and storm sewer system improvements including those related to the Flossmoor Road viaduct, and expenses related thereto?

Trustee Diane Williams said that elected officials can only assist in the educational process of the referendum.

"The Flossmoor Village Board is presenting the referendum for approval because the Village of Flossmoor is experiencing significantly increased challenges, as our residents know from experience, with both storm water flooding and road/sidewalk repair needs," Williams said in a statement. "Based on research and engineering recommendations a plan to address those challenges has been developed and the lowest cost vehicle for funding the work has been identified."

Williams refers to the library bond stating "Given that the Library referendum bond is retiring in 2021 issuing the bond at that point means little to no increase in residents’ current tax bill. This set of factors encouraged the board to choose 2021 as the time to issue the bonds which requires a referendum on the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot."

Trustee Brian Driscoll said the referendum shouldn't raise taxes in the village.

"The referendum gives residents the opportunity to correct street and sewer problems we have been facing for several years without raising taxes," Driscoll said. "If the referendum is passed it shouldn't raise taxes because we are replacing the old library bond with a new one."

Flossmoor is holding special Zoom and in-person meetings for residents to hear more about the bond and what it could potentially bring if it is passed on Election Day. The schedule for these meetings can be seen on the website.

For additional information on the referendum that will appear on the ballot this November, visit the Village of Flossmoor website.