Lake County Voters Back $155M Forest Preserves Referendum

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Lake County residents should expect to see improvements and updates to forest preserves in the coming years as a referendum appearing on voters ballots appears poised to pass.

As of Tuesday morning, and with all precincts reporting, here is a look at voting tallies for the referendum, according to unofficial results:

• Yes: 181,592 (66.52%)
• No: 91,380 (33.48%)

On voters' ballots, here is how the referendum appeared:

Shall the Lake County Forest Preserve District, Lake County, Illinois, acquire land and preserve forests and natural lands, protect, preserve and restore wildlife habitats, including providing air and water quality improvements, enhance flood control, improve hiking and biking trails and other recreational areas and infrastructure, and enhance public access, and issue its bonds to the amount of $155,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

The approximate impact of the proposed increase on the owner of a single-family home having a market value of $300,000 would be $32.97 in the first year of the increase if the increase is fully implemented.

Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners President Angelo Kyle told the Lake County News-Sun he is happy that the referendum appears on track to pass.

“I think that it shows the work that the Lake County Forest Preserves Districtis doing and the individuals that utilize the forest preserves really take it seriously,” Kyle said. “The public wants the forest preserves to be a mainstay within Lake County.”

• Lake Co. Forest Preserves OKs $155M Referendum Question
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The win will mean a higher property tax bill for Lake County residents, which will in turn add $155 million in funds to the forest preserves' coffers. The funds would be used for land acquisition and public access improvements and habitat restoration, according to officials with the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The estimated annual increase on the tax bill for a Lake County resident, who has a home valued at $300,000, would be about $33.

“If approved, the new funding would be used to protect more land and expand the benefits the forest preserves provide to all of us," said Alex Ty Kovach, executive director for the Lake County Forest Preserves.

The new funding would be used to:

• Acquire and restore additional lands to ensure they can be enjoyed by future generations in every part of Lake County.
• Protect and restore wildlife habitat that is home to native plants and animals, some of which are threatened or endangered.
• Build important trail connections.

This is a developing story. Check back to Patch for more updates.

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