If you’d like to prepare for your votes in the Illinois Consolidated Election next Tuesday, April 4, WNIJ News offers these links to help you be informed about the races and the issues.
Compiled below – county by county – are links that will allow you to view the sample ballots that may affect you. Click on the county or election office name to access the ballots. A summary of ballot issues in the counties also is provided.
A countywide referendum seeks approval to increase the existing Public Safety Sales Tax by one half percent – or 5 cents on a $10 purchase -- to pay for public safety purposes.
The portion of Boone County included in the Hononegah High School District will vote on $17.8 million in bonds to replace the inflatable dome with a bricks-and-mortar fieldhouse.
The Mineral-Gold Fire Protection District in Bureau County and the Neponset Fire Protection District in Bureau and Stark Counties are separately seeking approval for a special tax of not more than 0.30% of taxable property value to provide ambulance service.
The Princeton Elementary School District in Bureau and Putnam Counties wants to raise the education fund tax rate from 1.4% to a maximum of 2.1% of the taxable property value for 2017 and following years.
Voters in the Bradford School District in Stark, Bureau and Marshall Counties are being asked to allow at-large election of board members without restriction by area of residence.
The Bureau Valley School District in Bureau, Whiteside and Lee Counties is asking voters to approve $17 million in bonds to build a new school in Sheffield; add classrooms, a science lab and a performance gymnasium at Bureau Valley High School; and improve the Bureau Valley North school building site.
There is no voter referendum on the Carroll County ballot for the April 4 election.
A countywide referendum seeks to raise the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law rate by 0.02871% to provide public health services for levy year 2015 and by 1.22740% for levy year 2017.
The City of Sandwich is asking to impose a one percent sales tax to pay for municipal operations, public infrastructure, or property tax relief.
The Sandwich School District in DeKalb, LaSalle and Kendall Counties wants to increase the base for bonds repayment from $87,411.12 to $787,411.12 for the 2017 levy year and by the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for subsequent levy years.
Genoa Township wants to levy a new tax for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund for the 2016 levy year and thereafter, estimated at $7.13 per $100,000.00 market value.
The Kirkland Community Fire District seeks approval for new ambulance service tax of 0.40% of the taxable property value.
In separate issues, the Hampshire Fire Protection District in Kane and DeKalb Counties wants a new 0.10% property tax for emergency and rescue crews and equipment purposes as well as a new tort liability tax of 0.15%.
The Burlington Community Fire Protection District in Kane and DeKalb Counties also seeks a tort liability tax of 0.145% of assessed taxable property value.
The Village of Villa Park is proposing a sales tax increase of 0.5% for public infrastructure. The village also is asking to issue $10.6 million in bonds to remodel and enlarge the Villa Park Public Library.
The Village of Woodridge is asking whether the village clerk should be appointed rather than elected.
Bloomingdale Township wants to establish community mental health facilities with an annual property tax of not more than 0.15%.
Addison Township has three advisory propositions on the April 4 ballot. One asks whether the O’Hare Airport “Fly Quiet” program should be made permanent. Another asks about increasing property tax exemptions. The third enquires about pursuing consolidation of government offices with no elected oversight.
Three advisory questions are on the Milton Township ballot. One asks about cooperation with Glen Ellyn and Wheaton for mosquito abatement. Another would authorize the Township Assessor to continue lobbying for lower property taxes. The third asks about expanding the Senior Services Program.
Naperville and Lisle Townships are asking voters whether the road districts of the two townships should be consolidated into a single district.
The Wheaton Warrenville School District is seeking approval for $132.5 million in bonds for projects and various buildings including library learning centers, a technology lab, a new early learning center, security upgrades.
Benjamin School District wants to increase bond repayments from $582,671.48 to $997,500 for the 2018 levy year and all subsequent levy years, with increases each year of the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.
Glen Ellyn School District proposes to issue $24.2 million in bonds to build an addition to Hadley Junior High School and make improvements at four elementary schools.
Center Cass School District seeks approval of $12.91 million in bonds for additions and improvements to Elizabeth Ide and Lakeview Junior High Schools and Prairieview School.
Hinsdale Township High School District in DuPage and Cook Counties wants to issue $76 million in bonds to improve the Hinsdale Central High School and Hinsdale South High School campuses, including new classrooms and science labs and renovating other facilities.
West Chicago High School proposes $37.5 million in bonds to upgrade the West Chicago High School building with an addition and repairs.
The Elgin School District is asking whether it needs voter approval before increasing its annual total property tax levy.
The Fox River and Countryside Fire-Rescue District in Kane and DuPage Counties wants to increase its property tax limitation annually by the lesser of 5% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index.
The Bartlett Fire Protection District in Cook and DuPage Counties seeks to increase its tax limitation to 19.5% for levy year 2017.
The Itasca Fire Protection District proposes an increase of 0.195% for fire and emergency medical services for levy year 2015 and set the rate at 1.0522% for levy year 2017.
The Galena School District is requesting approval of $21.8 million in bonds to build a new school and improve the Galena Middle School building.
The Stockton Fire and Ambulance Protection District wants to issue $250,000 in bonds to repair and improve the Stockton Fire Station.
The Kane County Forest Preserve District is seeking approval for $50 million in bonds to acquire and maintain new preserves.
Elgin Township proposes a new tax of 0.025% to establish and maintain a senior citizen center. The estimated annual tax would be $8.33 for each $100,000 of market value.
The Elgin School District is asking whether it needs voter approval before increasing its annual total property tax levy.
The Geneva Public Library District wants to issue $21.8 million in bonds to build a library.
The Fox River and Countryside Fire-Rescue District in Kane and DuPage Counties wants to increase its property tax limitation annually by the lesser of 5% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index.
The Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District seeks approval for $8.5 million in bonds to build and equip two new fire stations.
The Burlington Community Fire Protection District in Kane and DeKalb Counties also seeks a tort liability tax of 0.145% of assessed taxable property value.
In separate issues, the Hampshire Fire Protection District in Kane and DeKalb Counties wants a new 0.10% property tax for emergency and rescue crews and equipment purposes as well as a new tort liability tax of 0.15%.
The Kane County Forest Preserve District is seeking approval for $50 million in bonds to acquire and maintain new preserves.
The Troy Fire Protection District in Kendall and Will Counties wants to issue a new tax of 0.2% of property market value for firefighters’ pensions. The estimated cost will be $66.67 per $100,000 property value.
The Plainfield Public Library District in Kendall and Will Counties is asking to raise its tax limitation by the lesser of 5% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index for the 2017 levy year.
The City of Sandwich in Kendall and DeKalb Counties is asking to impose a one percent sales tax to pay for municipal operations, public infrastructure, or property tax relief.
The Sandwich School District in DeKalb, LaSalle and Kendall Counties wants to increase the base for bonds repayment from $87,411.12 to $787,411.12 for the 2017 levy year and by the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for subsequent levy years.
Newark High School District in Kendall, Grundy and LaSalle Counties asks approval for $16 million in bonds to add a gymnasium and fine arts center to the building and make other improvements.
The City of Ottawa is proposing to become a Home Rule Unit.
The Robert W. Rowe Public Library District is asking whether it should annex the unserved territory in the Serena School District.
The Sandwich School District in DeKalb, LaSalle and Kendall Counties wants to increase the base for bonds repayment from $87,411.12 to $787,411.12 for the 2017 levy year and by the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for subsequent levy years.
Lee County
A countywide referendum seeks approval for a 0.5% sales tax increase for public safety purposes. The tax would add five cents to every $10 retail purchase.
A new Harmon Fire Protection District is being proposed.
The Paw Paw Public Library District wants to raise its property tax limitation by 0.16% for levy year 2015 and set it at 0.4375% for subsequent levy years through 2019.
The Bureau Valley School District in Bureau, Whiteside and Lee Counties is asking voters to approve $17 million in bonds to build a new school in Sheffield; add classrooms, a science lab and a performance gymnasium at Bureau Valley High School; and improve the Bureau Valley North school building site.
The City of Harvard has two propositions on the April 4 ballot. One seeks approval to raise the property tax limitation by the lesser of 5% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index to 15.7% per year for 2018. The other asks to increase taxes for parks and recreation from 0.075% to 0.233%.
The Village of Hillcrest seeks approval to establish a 0.5% sales tax for public infrastructure and property tax relief.
A countywide advisory referendum addresses various aspects of “reducing the corrupting influence of money on our political system.”
Dakota School District seeks to raise the tax limitation by 0.7% for tax levy year 2015 and be set at 5.58% for levy year 2017.
The Winnebago School District in Stephenson and Winnebago Counties proposes issuing $12 million in bonds to build a transportation and administrative facility and repair and equip four school buildings.
Harlem Township voters are being asked whether officials should oppose constructing the Great Lakes Basin Railroad “through any township in Winnebago County.”
The Winnebago School District in Stephenson and Winnebago Counties proposes issuing $12 million in bonds to build a transportation and administrative facility and repair and equip four school buildings.
The Hononegah High School District is seeking approval for $17.8 million in bonds to replace the inflatable dome with a bricks-and-mortar fieldhouse.
The village of Pecatonica asks to increase the property tax by 72.6% above the limiting rate for street improvements for levy year 2015 and set the tax rate at 0.7750% of the taxable property value for levy years 2017 through 2020.
The Winnebago School District in Stephenson and Winnebago Counties proposes issuing $12 million in bonds to build a transportation and administrative facility and repair and equip four school buildings.
