Tax Hike Pushed In Western Springs D101

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs voters are set to decide on a property tax increase for schools in the April 4 election.

On the ballot is a 10 percent hike for Western Springs School District 101.

For the owner of a $650,000 house, which is near the village's median, property taxes are expected to go up $643 if the referendum passes, for a total of $6,929.

The District 101 Committee has set up a website making the case for a tax hike. The district itself cannot openly advocate for or against the increase.

On its website, the committee said the increase is needed because of drops in state and federal income, increases in salary and benefit costs, and needed building maintenance.

According to the committee's website, District 101 spends 39 percent less than the other top 10 performing districts in Illinois.

It also spends 21 percent less than the other feeder districts to Lyons Township High School, the committee said. It would still remain below these same districts with the tax hike's passage.

"A strong district is important to keeping property values strong," committee member Kurt Frehner told the Village Board this week.

Western Springs is among the wealthier towns in Illinois. In 2021, District 101 had no low-income students, according to state records.

Last year, Patch reported that the state labeled District 101 as being in "review" status financially. Such a designation means that the state Board of Education monitors a district for potential downward trends.

Nearly 90 percent of the state's school districts are considered at the top financial level, meaning they require little or no review from the state.

In November, Western Springs asked voters to approve an increase in the local sales tax to pay for infrastructure. Fifty-three percent voted against it.

The last District 101 referendum was in 2003. It prevailed by a two-to-one margin.