School bond and tax elections in Illinois
| Bond elections |
|---|
| 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 2010 • 2009 • 2008 All years and states |
| Property tax elections |
| 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 2010 • 2009 • 2008 All years and states |
| See also |
| State comparisons How voting works Approval rates |
School bond and tax elections in Illinois are held under three different circumstances:
- For bonding that funds capital improvements of school districts (i.e. new construction or maintaining existing facilities).
- To create a contingency fund to pay existing debts which is called "Chapter 20 Funding" which is listed under the Illinois Education Code.
- Exceeding the property tax cap set under the Illinois Property Tax Referendum Cap of 2006.
Also, miscellaneous elections can be held for boundary changes or changing the form of governance of school districts.
Laws affecting school finance
In Illinois, for ballot measures regarding issuing new bonds to levy debt, a ballot measure is required whenever a school district wants to build new or improve existing facilities. If a school district wants to extend an approved levy, voter approval is required. Schools are also capped on the amount of increase for property taxes. In 2006, the Illinois General Assembly approved the capped property tax increases for school districts and required voter approval for any increases under the law.
Chapter 20 Funding
Any school district in Illinois that has a population of less than 500,000 can hold a referendum for funding, this is called Chapter 20 funding. Under Chapter 20, an eligible school district can create a working cash or contingency fund; the funding, if approved by the voters, can be used for paying teacher salaries and pensions along with other expenses that the school district may need to be paid, for example if they face a civil judgement, etc. A school district can levy through the ballot measure a "working cash fund" tax not to exceed 0.05% of valued property in the district. Any new working cash fund that is created requires voter approval on a simple majority vote.[1]
Property tax revenue limit
Under the Illinois' Property Tax Extension Limit Law, tax revenue increases for school districts are limited to five percent of the property tax revenue or the increase of percentage set by the Consumer Price Index during the 12‑month calendar year preceding the levy year. This limitation does not apply directly to property tax rates, but only to the total tax levy revenue received by the taxing district.
OR
School districts can ask voters to approve a higher rate of increase though a local referendum.[2]
Special elections
Under Illinois law, a special election is considered an emergency referendum. If a school district wants an emergency referendum, school district administrators must petition to a local circuit court judge to allow for an emergency referendum. If a judge grants an emergency referendum, the school district pays all costs incurred for conducting a special election. If an emergency referendum is granted, 20 days public notice must be given before the election.
Conduct of the bond election, limitations, rules
Election dates
In Illinois, school bond elections can be held on even numbered years during the first Tuesday in February or November. In odd numbered years, elections can be held the first Tuesday in February or April. An emergency referendum can be held at any time contingent on the 20 day notice requirement and approval from a judge to hold the emergency referendum.
Wording of measures
The Illinois Compiled Statutes explicitly states the form and wording of ballot measures used for school bond and tax elections. For any school districts that want to levy new taxes for capital improvements, the ballot measure must be formatted as:
Shall School District Number and (county or counties of school district is known and referred to), Illinois, be authorized to levy a new tax for (stating the purpose of the capital improvement) and have an additional tax of ...% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein extended for such purposes?
- Yes
- No
For any school district that using a ballot measure under the Illinois Property Tax Referendum Cap Act of 2006 also known as the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, the ballot measure must be formatted as:
Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for School District Number and (county or counties of school district is known and referred to), Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to ...% above the limiting rate for levy year ... ( most recent levy year for which the limit rate of the taxing district is known at the time the school board approves the resolution) and be equal to ...% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year(s) (years in which the increase is applicable, not exceeding 4 consecutive years)?
- Yes
- No.[3]
For any ballot question that involves Illinois Chapter 20 for building a contingency fund, the question must be worded as:
Shall the board of Education of (Insert School District Name) School district number (Insert School District Number and County Name) County, Illinois, be authorized to issue bonds for a working cash fund as provided for by Article 20 of the School Code?
- Yes
- No.[4]
Needed majority
Any referendum in Illinois requires a simple majority to pass (50 percent plus one).
Required notice of bond election
General elections
For any public question including new building and school bonds, a petition for a referendum must be filed with the respective school board not less than 78 days prior to a regular election for it to be eligible for submission on the ballot at that election. Petitions for referendums under the Illinois Property Tax Cap Referendum Act of 2006 must be filed with the respective school board not more than 10 months or less than 6 months prior to the election at which such question is to be submitted to the voters.
For any question involving Chapter 20 funding, a series of actions must happen long in advance. First, a school district must issue a resolution and must file within the normal 78 day period used for issuing bonding; the 78 day period is a minimum. A school district must then issue a notice in their newspaper to ask the public if anyone wants to petition the district to force a referendum for a Chapter 20 measure. If a minimum of 10 percent of registered voters petition for a Chapter 20 measure within 30 days of the notice, then a mandatory election must occur as long the actions happen before 30 day minimum public notice requirement for referendums in Illinois.[5][6]
List of 2010 Illinois school bond referendums
2010 Statewide primary
This is for all bond, property tax, and Chapter 20 referendums placed on the February 2, 2010 ballot in Illinois. A total of 20 ballot measures were considered in regards to school bonds and taxes. Twelve failed, and eight passed resulting in a pass rate of 40 percent.
| Date | District | Bond Amount/Tax Cap Increase | Passed/Failed | % Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2 | Brimfield-#309 (Peoria Co.) | Shall the Board of Education of Brimfield Community Unit School District build and equip a new high school building and improve the site thereof, demolish the existing high school building, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $13,900,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof? | Passed | 62% to 38% |
| February 2 | Coles County-Countywide | Shall The County of Coles, Illinois, be authorized to impose a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a “sales tax”) at a rate of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes? | Failed | 56.2% to 43.8% |
| February 2 | Community Unit School District #3 (Bond and Montgomery Counties) | Shall the Board of Education of Community Unit School District Number 3 demolish, construct, equip and build a new high school and alter, repair, and equip existing facilities by issuing $32,000,000 in bonding? | Failed | 54.7% to 45.3% |
| February 2 | Eastland Community-#308 (Carroll Co.) | Shall the Board of Education of Eastland Community Unit School District alter, repair and equip the Physical Education, Fine Arts, Agriculture and Vocational Education facilities of, improve the site of and build and equip an addition to the Eastland High School Building and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $7,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof? | Passed | 55.2% to 44.8% |
| February 2 | Freeburg CSD-#77 (Washington and St. Clair Co.) | "Shall the Board of Education of Freeburg Community High School District Number 77 issue $7,500,000 in bonding to build and equip a new elementary school and alter, repair, and improve existing high school facilities? | Failed | 54% to 46% |
| February 2 | Lawrence County-Countywide | Shall The County of Lawrence, Illinois, be authorized to impose a retailers’ occupation tax and a service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a “sales tax”) at a rate of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes? | Passed | 52.9% to 47.1% |
| February 2 | Lebanon CSD-#9 (St. Clair Co.) | "Shall the Board of Education of Lebanon Community Unit District Number 9 issue $3,000,000 in bonding to build and equip athletic fields and alter, repair, and demolish the existing elementary school? | Passed | 54.5% to 44.5% |
| February 2 | Lemont-Bromberek Combined-#113A (DuPage and Cook Counties) | Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Lemont-Bromberek Combined be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.45% above the limiting rate for any and all school purposes? | Failed | 67% to 33% |
| February 2 | Lick Creek CCSD-#16 (Union County) | "Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Lick Creek Community Consolidated School District be increased by an additional amount of 0.65% of the limiting rate for levy year 2008 and be equal to 2.374240% of the equalized levy value for levy years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013? | Failed | 62.5% to 37.5% |
| February 2 | Marengo Union Consolidated-#165 (McHenry County) | Shall the debt service extension base under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Marengo-Union Elementary Consolidated School District for payment of principal and interest on limited bonds be increased from $180,983.80 to $680,983.80 for the 2010 levy year and all subsequent levy years? | Failed | 63.5% to 36.5% |
| February 2 | Moenka-# 159 (Will County | Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Moenka School District be increased by be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.48% above the limiting rate for the purpose of funding increased educational and other school district related expenses for levy year 2008 and be equal to 2.3035% of the equalized property value for levy year 2010? | Failed | 60.9% to 30.1% |
| February 2 | New Trier HS-#203 (Cook County) | Shall the Board of Education of New Trier Township High School District build and equip additions to; improve the site of; and alter, repair, equip and replace portions of the District's buildings at the Winnetka Campus; and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $174,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof? | Failed | 62.9% to 37.1% |
| February 2 | Ottawa SD-#141 (LaSalle County) | Shall the Board of Education of Ottawa School District issue $18,500,000 in new bonding to acquire and build a new elementary school? | Passed | 63% to 37% |
| February 2 | Pontiac CCSD-#429 (Livingston County) | Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Pontiac Community Consolidated School District be increased by 0.50% for levy year 2009 and be equalized to 3.59975% of the limiting rate for levy years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012? | Failed | 73.4% to 26.6% |
| February 2 | Pontiac HS-#290 (Livingston County) | Shall the Board of Education of Pontiac Township High School District shall alter, repair, equip and improve the Pontiac Township High School building and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $7,500,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof? | Failed | 65.7% to 34.3% |
| February 2 | Ridgeview CUSD-#19 (McLean County) | Shall the maximum annual tax rate for educational purposes of Ridgeview Community Unit School District be increased and established at 3.60 percent upon all the taxable property of said School District at the value, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, for a limited period of four (4) years, the same being for tax levy years 2009 through 2012, inclusive, instead of 3.10 percent, the present maximum rate otherwise applicable to the next taxes to be extended for said purpose? | Passed | 53% to 47% |
| February 2 | Rockdale-#84 (Will County) | Shall the Board of Education of Rockdale School District alter, repair, and equip the Rockdale school building with $1,500,000 in School Building Bonds? | Passed | 51.8% to 41.2% |
| February 2 | Sunnybrook-#171 (Cook County) | Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Sunnybrook School District be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.40% above the limiting rate for educational purposes for levy year 2008 and be equal to 2.839% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2009? | Passed | 67% to 33% |
| February 2 | Union School District-#81 (Will County) | Issue $6,100,000 in School Building Bonds to reconstruct the elementary school? | Failed | 51.8% to 48.2% |
| February 2 | West Washington CUSD-#10 (Washington Co.) | Shall the Board of Education of West Washington County Community Unit School District $32,200,000 in bonding for to acquire land and demolition for the purpose of adding a faclity attached to the Okwaville Junior/Senior High School and also build new athletic fields? | Failed | 63.3% to 37.7% |
List of historical bond referendums
Illinois had already voted on bond measures during the April 7, 2009 consolidated Spring election.[7]
2009 Consolidated Election
During the April 2009 consolidated election, 16 referendums were held throughout Illinois. Only six passed while ten failed. The pass rate is 37.5%.
| Date | District | Bond Amount/Tax Cap Increase | Passed/Failed | % Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 7 | Alwood School District-#225 | Increase Property Tax Cap to 3.45% from 2.6% | Passed | |
| April 7 | Arbor Park School District-#145 | Increase Property Tax Cap to 3.893% from 3.293% | Failed | |
| April 7 | Avoca School District-#37 | Increase Property Tax Cap .167% to equal 1.639%-(2007-2008 cap) for 2008-2009 | Passed | |
| April 7 | Ball-Chatham CUSD-#5 | Issue bonding to construct a new K-4 Elementary School | Passed | |
| April 7 | Belle Valley School District-#119 | Issue $39.45 million in bonding to construct new facilities | Passed | |
| April 7 | Bunker Hill CUSD-#8 | Issue $4 million in bonding to remodel facilities | Failed | |
| April 7 | Community Consolidated School District-#180 | Increase Property Tax Cap .2900% to equal 1.8709%-(2007-2008 cap) for 2008-2009 | Passed | |
| April 7 | Hiawatha CUSD-#426 | Issue $2.4 million in bonding to build new gymnasium | Failed | |
| April 7 | Hiawatha CUSD-#426 | Issue $5 million in bonding to remodel facilities | Failed | |
| April 7 | New Holland-Middletown ESD-#88 | Increase Property Tax Cap to 2.750% from 2.000% | Passed | |
| April 7 | Ridgeland School District-#122 | Increase approved existing levy from $2,260,643 to $5,260,643 | Failed | |
| April 7 | St. Charles CUSD-#303 | Issue $114 million in bonding to build new facilities and improve existing ones | Failed | |
| April 7 | Sunnybrook School District-#171 | Increase Property Tax Cap .030% to equal 2.847%-(2007-2008 cap) for 2008-2009 | Failed | |
| April 7 | Washington CHSD-#308 | Issue $18.4 million in bonding to remodel high school | Failed | |
| April 7 | West Chicago ESD-#33 | Issue $49 million in bonding to remodel school facilities | Failed | |
| April 7 | Whiteside School District-#115 | Issue $9.75 million in bonding to build new facilities | Failed |
2008 General Election
The following are results from ballot measures voted on during the November 2, 2008 general election in Illinois.[8] Fourteen referendums were on the ballot in which six passed and eight failed resulting in a pass rate of 42.9%.
| Date | District | Bond Amount | Passed/Failed | % Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2 | Alwood School District-#225 | Increase Property Tax Cap to 3.45% from 2.6% | Failed | |
| November 2 | Besenville ESD-#2 | Issue $50 million in bonding to build 2 new Elementary Schools, repair Middle School | Failed | |
| November 2 | Bunker Hill CUSD-#8 | Issue $4 million in bonding to remodel facilities | Failed | |
| November 2 | Diamond Lake School District-#96 | Raise property tax cap by 0.44% for 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 to equal 3.119% (2007 level) | Passed | |
| November 2 | Durand CUSD-#96 | Issue $10 million in bonding to remodel school facilities | Failed | |
| November 2 | East Aurora School District-#131 | Issue $32 million in bonding for Contingency Funding under Article 20 | Passed | |
| November 2 | Harvard CUSD-#20 | Issue $20,701,244 in bonding to improve elementary schools. | Passed | |
| November 2 | Lockport Township HSD-#205 | Issue $141.74 million in bonding for capital improvements. | Failed | |
| November 2 | Mascouth CUSD-#19 | Issue $55 million in bonding to build new high school. | Passed | |
| November 2 | Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD-#3 | Issue $5.5 million in bonding to improve facilities | Failed | |
| November 2 | Ridgeland School District-#122 | Raise property tax cap by 0.7% (2006 rate) to equal 3.807% for 2008 | Failed | |
| November 2 | Ridgewood CHSD-#234 | Raise property tax cap by 0.30% (2006 rate) to equal 1.932% for 2008 | Failed | |
| November 2 | Warren HSD-#121 | Issue $30 million in bonding for capital improvements | Passed | |
| November 2 | Warrensburg-Latham CUSD-#11 | Issue $12 million to repair middle school and high school. | Passed |
2008 Primary Election
The following are results from ballot measures voted on during the February 5, 2008 primary election in Illinois.[9] There were 34 referendums decided in the 2008 primary. Seventeen referendums failed while seventeen passed resulting in a pass rate of 50%.
| Date | District | Bond Amount | Passed/Failed | % Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5 | Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD-#275 | Establish a temporary property tax increase 3.50% for years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 | Failed | |
| February 5 | Big Hollow School District-#38 | Issue $10 million in bonding for contingency funding under Article 20 (Illinois Education Code) | Passed | |
| February 5 | Cass School District-#63 | Raise Property Tax Cap by .30% (2006 rate) to equal 2.264% (2007 rate) | Failed | |
| February 5 | Chaney-Mongoe School District-#88 | Issue $1.5 million in bonds for capital improvements. | Failed | |
| February 5 | (DuPage Co.) Community CSD-#180 | Raise Property Tax Cap by .3295% (2006 rate) to equal 1.9435% (2008 rate). | Failed | |
| February 5 | (DuPage Co.) Community CSD-#89 | Issue $24.8 million in bonds to upgrade HVAC systems and asbestos removal. | Passed | |
| February 5 | (DuPage Co.) Community USD-#200 | Issue $58 million for new middle school for site acquisition and construction costs. | Passed | |
| February 5 | Country Club Hills School District-#160 | Issue $8 million in bonds to pay claims levied against the school district in a judgment. | Passed | |
| February 5 | DeKalb CUSD-#428 | Issue $110 million in bonding to repair schools and build a new elementary school. | Passed | |
| February 5 | (Cook County) Elementary School District-#129 | Raise property tax cap by 0.15% above 2006 levy year limit. | Failed | |
| February 5 | Germantown School District-#60 | Raise property tax cap by 1.17%. | Failed | |
| February 5 | Granite City CUSD-#9 | Issue $22 million in bonding to repair school facilities. | Failed | |
| February 5 | Grant CHSD-#124 | Issue $38.5 million in bonding for a classroom addition. | Failed | |
| February 5 | Homer CUSD-#33 | Issue $25.725 million in bonding to build a new elementary school and improve an existing elementary school. | Failed | |
| February 5 | Iroquois West CUSD-#10 | Issue a new levy for a district-wide maintenance and building fund. | Failed | |
| February 5 | Iroquois West CUSD-#10 | Raise Property Tax Cap by 0.75% | Failed | |
| February 5 | Kaneland CUSD-#302 | Issue $65 million in bonding to build a new middle school and replace an existing middle school. | Passed | |
| February 5 | Lockport Township School District-#205 | Issue $153.79 million in bonding to build a new high school and replace an existing high school. | Failed | |
| February 5 | Marengo Union ECSD-#165 | Raise Property Tax Cap by 0.53% (2006 rate) to equal 2.387% for levy years 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. | Failed | |
| February 5 | Minooka CCSD-#201 | Issue $54,865,315 in bonding to repair and improve intermediate and elementary school facilities. | Passed | |
| February 5 | Mundelien ESD-#75 | Issue $3.3 million in bonding to install air conditioning at school district facilities | Passed | |
| February 5 | Mundelien ESD-#75 | Issue $6.6 million in bonding to repair and improve existing facilities | Passed | |
| February 5 | Naperville CUSD-#203 | Issue $43 million in bonding to build additions at two high schools and one elementary school. | Passed | |
| February 5 | Normal CUSD-#5 | Raise Property Tax Cap to 2.72% from the current rate of 2.62% | Passed | |
| February 5 | Normal CUSD-#5 | Issue $96.7 million in bonding to build two new junior high schools and a elementary school | Passed | |
| February 5 | Peotone CUSD-#207 | Issue $25 million in bonding to build a new elementary school | Failed | |
| February 5 | Quincy School District-#172 | Raise Property Tax Cap to 2.09% | Failed | |
| February 5 | (Cook Co.) Ridgeland School District-#172 | Raise Property Tax Cap by 0.7% for 2006 levy year | Failed | |
| February 5 | (Cook Co.) Ridgeland CHSD-#234 | Raise Property Tax Cap by 0.30% for 2006 levy year | Failed | |
| February 5 | Rochester CUSD-#3A | Issue $26 million in bonding to construct new middle school | Passed | |
| February 5 | Rock Island School District-#41 | Issue $22 million to repair and improve existing school facilities. | Passed | |
| February 5 | (Cook Co.) Schiller Park School District-#81 | Issue $22.3 million to build a new middle school. | Passed | |
| February 5 | (Cook Co.) Schiller Park School District-#81 | Raise Property Tax Cap by 0.46% for 2006 levy year | Passed | |
| February 5 | (Cook Co.) School District-#104 | Raise Property Tax Cap by 0.60% for 2006 levy year | Passed |
2007 Consolidated Election
| Date | District | Bond Amount | Passed/Failed | % Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2006
See also
- Voting on school bond and tax measures
- Where to find information about local school bond and tax elections
- School bond election
- Approval rates of local school bond and tax elections
External links
- Illinois Association of School Boards
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Historical referendum data in Illinois
Footnotes
- ↑ "Illinois General Assembly" Chapter 20 Funding Statutes(Referenced Statutes 105 ILCS 5/20‑2, 3, 4)
- ↑ "Illinois General Assembly" Text of the Illinois Property Tax Cap Act of 2006 (Statute Reference 35 ILCS 200/18‑185)
- ↑ "Illinois General Assembly" Text of Illinois Direct Referendum Statutes(Referenced Statute 35 ILCS 200/18‑190)
- ↑ "Illinois General Assembly" Text of Illinois Direct Referendum Statutes(Referenced Statute 105 ILCS 5/20‑7)
- ↑ "Illinois General Assembly" Illinois Chapter 20 Statutes(Referenced Statute 105 ILCS 5/20‑5)
- ↑ "Illinois General Assembly" Text of Illinois Election Code(Referenced Statute 10 ILCS 5/12‑5)
- ↑ "Illinois State Board of Education, List of 2009 Referendum Results
- ↑ "Illinois State Board of Education," List of 2008 General Election Referendum Results
- ↑ "Illinois State Board of Education," List of 2008 Primary Election Referendum Results
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