Property tax increase on the way for District 87 homeowners

Posted on October 28, 2015
Money
District 87 homeowners will see increases in their property tax bills, though the exact amount is still  unknown. (WJBC File Photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – A property tax rate increase is on the way for residents in District 87, though the exact amount of that increase is still in question.

The district is expecting the property tax rate to increase by at least $0.13 per $100 of assessed valuation, meaning the owner of a $150,000 home would pay $67 more per year. The district needs just over $28 million to balance their education fund budget. Superintendent Barry Reilly said the district will continue to budget conservatively and monitor their spending, but looming changes in Springfield could mean even more trouble.

“We simply don’t get enough, and I’m hopeful that things being discussed at the state level such as property tax freezes and pension shifts don’t come to fruition,” Reilly said. “That just adds other costs to the mix that are not even a part of this right now.”

Reilly said those issues in Springfield aren’t making things any easier for his district.

“We’ll continue to monitor our expenses,” said Reilly. “The unfortunate reality for all of us in public education right now is that school finance is really tough and challenging.”

Reilly said he isn’t optimistic that the tax rate increase will be less than $0.13, though it is possible. A public hearing on the matter will be held in December.

Andy Dahn can be reached at a[email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…