Mayor D'Arcy Won't Be Raising Your Property Taxes Again: Joliet City Budget Revealed For 2026

JOLIET, IL — At next Tuesday's meeting, the Joliet City Council will vote on the proposed 2026 annual budget, according to a press release from outgoing director of media engagement Rosemaria DiBenedetto that indicated that there will be "no increase to the city’s portion of the property tax bill."

Back in December 2024, Mayor Terry D’Arcy was the swing vote, in a 5-3 decision, following city manager Beth Beatty's recommendation to raise the property tax levy for the residents of Joliet.

“This budget shows that Joliet can live within its means,” Mayor D’Arcy remarked in Wednesday's City Hall press release. “We are keeping property taxes stable, investing wisely in our infrastructure and public safety, and ensuring we provide the reliable services our residents expect.”

“We conducted a comprehensive, line-by-line review of expenses to safeguard service levels without increasing taxes,” City Manager Beatty added. “Each department’s requests were evaluated closely to ensure responsible and strategic use of City funds.”

According to the City Hall press release, the key highlights of the 2026 budget are:

• No increase to the City’s portion of the property tax bill
• Continued dedication to public safety — the Police and Fire Departments represent 75 percent of the City’s total manpower costs.
• Completion of the Chicago Street Corridor and City Square

Key capital infrastructure and equipment investments:

• $23,462,000 for roads and sidewalks, including a minimum of $2,000,000 dedicated to sidewalks
• $7,000,000 for the Public Safety Institute in partnership with Joliet Junior College
• $2,733,000 for vehicles and equipment for the Roadways Division
• $2,875,000 for Fire Department vehicles
• $1,088,000 for replacement police vehicles

Funding for the Lake Michigan Water Project:

$78,000,000 to replace 18 miles of watermain; $27,900,000 for system improvements to accept and deliver Lake Michigan water; and $38,000,000 for the City’s share of costs for the Grand Prairie Water Commission.

Last December, Joliet Patch published a story headlined, "Joliet Tax Hike, Gasoline Tax Increase Proposed In 2025 Budget."

Joliet Patch reported how Beatty urged the Joliet City Council to follow her recommendation and adopt a 2025 city budget that called for several new city employees and higher salaries for the city's best-paid staff. Beatty's budget called for increasing Joliet's fuel tax from 4 cents to 5 cents for gasoline and from 4 cents to 11 cents for diesel fuels. The revenue generated from the fuel taxes would fund more vehicle replacements for the city, according to Beatty.

When determining the amount for the 2024 levy, "we accounted for assessing our current tax rate to new properties, pensions, and a minimal inflationary increase," Beatty wrote. "The result is a tax levy that is a 6.45 percent increase from last year’s levy."

Beatty noted that the property tax levy increase amounted to an increase of more than $3 million.