Election Results: $2.5M Kenilworth Bond Referendum Set For Approval

KENILWORTH, IL — As polls closed on Tuesday's presidential primary election, voters in one of Cook County's smallest and wealthiest suburbs appeared to give the village the nod to borrow money to transform the village's lakefront.

Kenilworth residents considered a $2.5 million bond referendum question as part of a larger project to revamp the decommissioned water plant and enhance beach facilities.

With both precincts reporting, unofficial vote totals showed 427 yes votes and 151 no votes. Some absentee votes could still be counted before results are official.

Under the referendum, homeowners could expect to pay an additional approximately $126 per year on their property taxes, per $1 million of home value.

The project's total price tag of $8.4 million includes $3.4 million from the village's fund balance and $2.5 million that officials hope to raise thorough a fundraising campaign.

“It has long been a goal of the Village Board to enhance services at Kenilworth Beach, and I am pleased that so many residents took time to provide input throughout the planning process," said Village President Cecily Kaz. "Our lakefront is a beloved community destination, however the old water plant lacks important amenities beachgoers expect at their public beach."

In this case, the village had to go to the voters to request permission to borrow the money because it is not tied to a defined source of existing revenue.

The question placed on the March ballot by the village board in December read, "Shall the Village of Kenilworth, Cook County, Illinois, improve and enhance Kenilworth Beach and the surrounding lakefront area by renovating and repurposing the water plant for community purposes, improving shore protection and making other necessary improvements to Kenilworth Beach and issue its general obligation bonds to the amount of $2,500,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof, said bonds bearing interest at not to exceed the rate of 6% per annum?"

If it is approved, village officials plan to continue with further design development, construction document preparation and open up a bidding process.

They have already authorized spending more than $400,000 on architectural planning. If construction begins in 2024, improved beach facilities could be ready for the 2025 season.

Village officials anticipate paying back the money borrowed over a 14-year period.

More information about the project is available from the village's website.