District 113A Referendum: Election 2020

LEMONT, IL — Lemont voters will see a referendum question from District 113A on their ballot on Election Day. Voters will decide whether to vote "yes" or "no" to an operating tax increase of 29 cents.

The question on the ballot is:

Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A, Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.2900% above the limiting rate for school purposes for levy year 2019 and be equal to 2.124% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2020?" 1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $22,112,851 and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $25,609,431. 2) For the 2020 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single-family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $96.57 for DuPage County and $84.56 for Cook County. 3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2020 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

The referendum will ask voters to approve a 29 cent operating rate increase, but voters' property taxes would not increase, according to a release from the district.

Read the Lemont Voter Guide 2020 and return to Patch for results as they come in. Subscribe to free News Alerts for election results.

Since the district is paying off some of its debt, even if the referendum is successful, taxpayers would see a net decrease of about 6.8 percent on the district's portion of their property tax bill, the district website states. If the operating rate is increased, the district would have an additional $3.5 million in revenue on a yearly basis.

If the referendum is approved, a home valued at $100,000 would see a $30 decrease in Cook County and a $42 decrease in DuPage County. A $300,000 home would see a $122 decrease in Cook County and a $146 decrease in DuPage County.

If the referendum is not approved, tax decreases would be larger. A home valued at $100,000 in Cook County would see an $87 decrease, and a $100,000 home in DuPage County would see a $122 decrease. A home worth $300,000 would see a $351 decrease in Cook County and a $418 decrease in DuPage County.

If approved, the funds would allow the district to reopen Central School, add full-day kindergarten, reduce class sizes and add teachers and staff. According to a release, the district would also purchase important classroom and curricular materials, enhance student security and safety and provide additional student support services, including social workers, guidance counselors and psychologists.

The Board of Education approved the referendum question in August, after first beginning discussion of space restraints and enrollment trends in May 2018.

Election Day is Tuesday. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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