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Illinois voters went to the polls on Tuesday, March 20, to select the candidates who will face off in the General Election on November 6.These "midterm" elections have drawn a great deal of interest and, in some cases, a surprising number of candidates to statewide and national races.There also were numerous ballot refrenda for voters to decide on, such issues as school construction, fire protection, home rule, and even the sale of liquor.WNIJ News has collated many of the stories presented this election season. You can find them here as a handy reference.

Home Rule, School Improvements, Fire Protection Are Among Issues On The Primary Ballot

Compiled below are listings of ballot issues throughout northern Illinois as provided by the county clerks and election offices of the various jurisdictions.

Only two counties do not have at least one referendum among the many taxing bodies. A few counties have several issues to decide. And some issues overlap county boundaries and are listed in all affected counties.

The two city election commissions are listed under the counties with which they are located: Aurora under DuPage County and Rockford under Winnebago County.

To access sample ballots for the jurisdictions, click on the county (or city) name.

Boone County

There are two countywide propositions on the ballot. One asks whether the Trustees of Boone County Fire Protection District #2 should be elected rather than appointed, as they are now. The other asks whether a sales-tax increase of one half of one percent should be granted. That would increase the cost of a $10 purchase by 5 cents.

Bureau County

Bureau County is seeking a statewide sales tax increase on retail sales of tangible personal property. That would increase the cost of a $10 purchase by 5 cents. Vehicles, groceries, medicines, medical devices and medical materials would be exempted.

The Board of Education of the Bureau Valley Community Unit School District in Bureau, Lee and Whiteside Counties is seeking approval for $12 million in bonds for improvements to the high school and Wyanet and Bureau Valley North schools as well as demolition of the building in Manlius.

Another issue seeks to establish the Lake Arispie Sanitary District for the subdivision of that name west of Interstate 180.

Carroll County

The West Carroll Community Unit School District in Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties is seeking approval to increase the maximum annual tax rate for Educational purposes to 3.29 percent, instead of 2.79 percent.

The district also is asking for a write-in election to serve out the unexpired District 5 seat.

DeKalb County

The villages of Hinckley, Maple Park and Shabbona are seeking a 1 percent rule increase in the sales tax for municipal operations, public infrastructure, or property tax relief. That would increase the cost of a $10 purchase by 10 cents.

The Sandwich Community Unit School District Number in DeKalb, LaSalle and Kendall Counties seeks approval to increase the debt service extension base under the Property Tax Extension Law by the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year. Funds will be used to pay principal and interest on bonds for the 2018 levy year and all subsequent levy years.

The Hampshire Fire Protection District in DeKalb and Kane Counties asks to levy a new property tax of 0.10 percent for emergency and rescue crews and equipment purposes. The estimated increase on a single family residence with a fair market value of $100,000 is estimated to be $33.33

The Kirkland Community Fire Protection District wants to increase the limiting rate for fire protection and ambulance purposes to 0.71128% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2018. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $66.67.

DuPage County

DuPage County voters are being asked whether the DuPage County Election Commission should be dissolved and its functions be consolidated with the office of the DuPage County Clerk.

The City of West Chicago asks whether video gaming, such as video poker and blackjack, should be permitted within the corporate limits.

The Bartlett Fire Protection District in DuPage and Cook counties seeks to increase the extension limitation by the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index over the prior levy year to 21% for levy year 2018. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $39.61 in DuPage County and $33.31 in Cook County.

Bloomingdale Fire Protection District #1 wants to issue $4,500,000 in bonds to repair and improve fire stations and purchase emergency response fleet and equipment.

The Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District in DuPage and Kane counties wants to increase the tax extension limitation by the lesser of 5 percent or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index over the prior levy year for the 2018 levy year. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $53.00.

The Fox Valley Park District in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties asks to increase the limiting rate to 0.41687 percent of the equalized assessed property value for levy year 2018 for park purposes. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $23.33.

The South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District in DuPage and Kane counties wants to issue $10,000,000 in bonds to build and equip two new fire stations. The district also seeks approval for an additional property tax of .10 percent for emergency and rescue crews and equipment. The estimated increase on a single family residence with a fair market value of $100,000 is estimated to be $33.33

The York Center Fire Protection District seeks approval to levy a new property tax of 0.10 percent of equalized value for emergency and rescue crews and equipment purposes. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $33.33.

The Maercker School District Board seeks approval of $28,000,000 in bonds to improve, repair and equip Holmes Elementary School and Westview Hills Middle School. Projects would include classrooms for full-day kindergarten and early-childhood programs at Holmes, and science labs and arts, music and performance spaces at Westview Hills Middle School.

Voters in Community High School District Number 99 are being asked to approve $136,600,000 in bonds for improvements at the Downers Grove schools. Proposed projects include security improvements; increasing accessibility for persons with disabilities; renovating classrooms, science labs, vocational labs and learning spaces; and providing air conditioning in all classrooms.

City of Aurora

The Fox Valley Park District in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties asks to increase the limiting rate to 0.41687 percent of the equalized assessed property value for levy year 2018 for park purposes. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $23.33.

Aurora Township is proposing a property tax levy of 0.025 percent to provide services to senior citizens, including building and operating a senior center. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $7.18.

JoDaviess County

The multi-township assessing district of Council Hill, Guilford and Scales Mound seeks to increase the limiting rate by 0.00503 percent to 0.01417 percent. Proceeds would be used for  parcel assessment for levy year 2017. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $1.68.

The Dunleith Township Board of Trustees seeks advice on a possible resolution allowing recreational vehicles to operate side by side on township roads, as long as operators follow relevant state traffic laws.

Kane County

The village of Maple Park is seeking a 1 percent rule increase in the sales tax for municipal operations, public infrastructure, or property tax relief. That would increase the cost of a $10 purchase by 10 cents.

The Hampshire Fire Protection District in Kane and DeKalb Counties asks to levy a new property tax of 0.10 percent for emergency and rescue crews and equipment purposes. The estimated increase on a single family residence with a fair market value of $100,000 is estimated to be $33.33

The Rutland Dundee Township Fire Protection is asking whether trustees should be elected rather than appointed.

The South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District in Kane and DuPage counties wants to issue $10,000,000 in bonds to build and equip two new fire stations. The district also seeks approval for an additional property tax of .10 percent for emergency and rescue crews and equipment. The estimated increase on a single family residence with a fair market value of $100,000 is estimated to be $33.33

The Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District in DuPage and Kane counties wants to increase the tax extension limitation by the lesser of 5 percent or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index over the prior levy year for the 2018 levy year. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $53.00.

The Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District wants to issue $8,500,000 in bonds to build and equip two new fire stations.

The City of Geneva, Kane County seeks approval to levy a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax at a rate of 1 percent each for municipal operations, public infrastructure or property tax relief.

The Village of East Dundee has two questions regarding home rule. One simply asks whether the village should cease being a home rule unit; the other asks whether home-rule status should continue to “(1) pay for the Village’s general obligation bonds with home rule revenues and avoid increasing property taxes by $1.94 million (304%); approximately $1,200/year for a home valued at $185,000 and|(2) fulfill the Village’s home rule sales tax sharing agreements for planned development projects.” Another ballot question asks whether the new village trash tax should be repealed.

The Village of Lily Lake asks whether the village clerk should be elected rather than appointed.

Aurora Township is proposing a property tax levy of 0.025 percent to provide services to senior citizens, including building and operating a senior center. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $7.18.

The Fox Valley Park District, Kane, DuPage, Kendall and Will counties asks to increase the limiting rate to 0.41687 percent of the equalized assessed property value for levy year 2018 for park purposes. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $23.33.

Kendall County

The Troy Fire Protection District in Kendall and Will counties seeks approval to levy a new property tax of 0.073 percent the equalized assessed value for firefighters’ pensions. The additional tax on a single family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $24.33.

The Fox Valley Park District in Kendall, Kane, DuPage and Will counties asks to increase the limiting rate to 0.41687 percent of the equalized assessed property value for levy year 2018 for park purposes. The additional tax on a single-family residence valued at $100,000 is estimated to be $23.33.

The Sandwich Community Unit School District Number in Kendall, DeKalb and LaSalle counties seeks approval to increase the debt service extension base under the Property Tax Extension Law by the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year. Funds will be used to pay principal and interest on bonds for the 2018 levy year and all subsequent levy years.

Voters in Minooka Community Consolidated School District in Kendall, Grundy, and Will counties are being asked to approve $90,000,000 in bonds to build and equip two school buildings and their sites, and improve and equip existing school buildings and their sites.

LaSalle County

The Sandwich Community Unit School District Number in LaSalle, Kendall and DeKalb counties seeks approval to increase the debt service extension base under the Property Tax Extension Law by the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year. Funds will be used to pay principal and interest on bonds for the 2018 levy year and all subsequent levy years.

Lee County

The Dixon Park District is seeking approval to sell up to 50 acres of Plum Creek Natural Area, commonly known as 620 Palmyra Road.

Voters in Amboy Community Unit School District are being asked to approve $15,800,000 in bonds to improve the Amboy High School Building and to replace the Amboy Junior High School.

The Board of Education of the Bureau Valley Community Unit School District in Lee, Bureau, and Whiteside counties is seeking approval for $12 million in bonds for improvements to the high school and Wyanet and Bureau Valley North schools as well as demolition of the building in Manlius.

McHenry County

An advisory referendum, noting that the McHenry County Board reduced its property tax levy by 11.2 percent in 2017, asks voters if they believe local school districts should reduce their property tax levies by at least 10 percent by the year 2020.  

Voters also are being asked to decide whether the office of County Recorder should be eliminated and all duties and responsibilities transferred to the office of the County Clerk, effective December 1, 2020?

The City of Harvard is seeking to increase the property tax extension limitation from the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index over the prior levy year to 14% per year for 2018?

Ogle County

There are no referenda on ballots in Ogle County for this primary election.

Putnam County

There are no referenda on ballots in Putnam County for this primary election. Sample ballots have not been published online.

Stephenson County

The Winnebago Community Unit School District in Winnebago and Stephenson counties seeks approval for $7,500,000 in bonds to improve the Dorothy Simon Elementary, Jean McNair Elementary, and Winnebago Middle and High School buildings.

Buckeye Township is asking whether the prohibition on retail sales of alcoholic liquor should be continued.

Whiteside County

The Board of Education of the Bureau Valley Community Unit School District in Whiteside, Bureau and Lee counties is seeking approval for $12 million in bonds for improvements to the high school and Wyanet and Bureau Valley North schools as well as demolition of the building in Manlius.

Winnebago County

Winnebago County asks whether the office of the Recorder of Deeds should be eliminated and all duties and responsibilities transferred to the office of the County Clerk on December 1, 2020.

The Village of Roscoe is seeking to enact a 1% sales tax to be used solely for expenditures on Roads and Public Infrastructure. That would add $1 to the total cost of a $100 purchase.

The City of South Beloit wants approval of $4,900,000 in bonds to erect a public library as part of the Nature at the Confluence campus.

The Winnebago Community Unit School District in Winnebago and Stephenson counties seeks approval for $7,500,000 in bonds to improve the Dorothy Simon Elementary, Jean McNair Elementary, and Winnebago Middle and High School buildings.

City of Rockford

The City of Rockford is asking voters to restore Home Rule powers.

Winnebago County asks whether the office of the Recorder of Deeds should be eliminated and all duties and responsibilities transferred to the office of the County Clerk on December 1, 2020.

The Winnebago Community Unit School District in Winnebago and Stephenson counties seeks approval for $7,500,000 in bonds to improve the Dorothy Simon Elementary, Jean McNair Elementary, and Winnebago Middle and High School buildings.