Voters Reject Kenilworth Park District Tax Hike Referendum By 14-Point Margin

KENILWORTH, IL — Kenilworth voters rejected a proposed property tax increase aimed at funding parks and recreation improvements, according to unofficial results from the Cook County Clerk's Office.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, 762 voters opposed the measure, while 462 voters supported it, a margin of 62 percent to 38 percent.

The referendum, if passed, would have raised an additional $492,000 per year for the park district to fund projects including a new community recreation center and upgrades to Townley Field.

The Kenilworth Park District board asked voters to approve a 0.132 percent increase in its limiting rate, raising it from 0.189 percent to 0.321 percent—an increase of more than 69 percent.

If approved, the tax hike would cost homeowners about $40 per $100,000 of their property’s market value — approximately $800 annually for a $2 million home.

According to the referendum text, funds raised would be used “for the purpose of building, equipping and operating a new community recreation center, acquiring and improving land for trail use, maintaining, improving and protecting park facilities, parks and athletic fields and for other park purposes.”

Park district officials had highlighted plans for a new recreation center to replace the aging Village House, as well as upgrades to Townley Field.

The proposed improvements included creating a safe, dedicated route for the Green Bay Bike Trail adjacent to Townley Field, addressing longstanding safety concerns around bicyclists navigating nearby streets and school grounds.

In a letter to residents ahead of the vote, Park District President John Hart outlined efforts with village, school and park officials to secure land from Union Pacific Railroad for the new trail alignment.

With the referendum’s failure, plans for the trail realignment and other improvements are now uncertain.

“We’re working on a potential easement that would allow us to build this portion of the trail as envisioned,” Hart wrote, adding that plans for Townley Field improvements will “hold this land with hopes that we can go forward with a realigned Green Bay Trail in the future.”

District officials had noted its efficient use of funds, pointing out that it receives just 2.5 percent of local tax revenue—less than neighboring districts, which average around 4 percent.

“We have achieved a lot for our community while continuing to honor our community’s commitment to fiscal responsibility,” park district officials said in a brochure about the referendum. “But while we are doing everything we can to serve our community members, we continue to fall short and our residents deserve better.”

Ahead of the vote, park district staff emphasized that community surveys have showed strong support for enhanced facilities, including a new recreation center and improved bike trail safety.

More than 70 percent of respondents favored expanded funding, with many expressing specific interest in the bike trail realignment and updated indoor facilities for year-round programs.

Proposed upgrades to Townley Field would include modern ADA-compliant restroom facilities, a commercial irrigation system and energy-efficient LED lighting. A new recreation center would also provide a year-round facility for basketball, pickleball, sports clinics, community events and group rentals.

District officials have suggested improvements funded by the higher taxes would not only enhance recreational opportunities for local families but could also boost property values in the village by making the area more attractive to potential residents.