Referendum Questions
For the first time in 25 years, the park district is turning to residents to determine the future of parks and recreation here in La Grange Park.
Your vote on the following questions will determine how we operate for the next 20+ years. You will decide the resources available for park maintenance and improvements as well as the programming available to you, your families, and your neighbors for years to come.
Question 1
If passed, this would increase taxes paid to the park district by $13/month if you own a $300,000 home (Senior Exemption is not applied).
“Shall the Community Park District of LaGrange Park, Cook County, Illinois, improve the site of and renovate the Recreation Center and build and equip an addition thereto, including building a gymnasium with athletic and recreational facilities, and issue its bonds to the amount of $10,700,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”
Question 2
If passed, this would increase taxes paid to the park district by $3/month if you own a $300,000 home (Senior Exemption is not applied).
“Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Community Park District of LaGrange Park, Cook County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.038% above the limiting rate for levy year 2021 for park purposes and be equal to 0.236% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2023?”
(1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $798,151, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $953,632.
(2) For the 2023 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 $11.41.
(3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2023 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).
If the Referenda Fail
If residents vote no, It would send a clear message to the park district board that residents are fine with the existing programming and the current park conditions in La Grange Park.
The park district would continue prioritizing park improvements on a 7-10 year cycle, with a dependency on 10-year non-referendum bond issuances and grant opportunities to complete larger projects.
Existing program and rental fees would be evaluated to keep up with increases in costs and park maintenance needs.
If the Referenda Pass
If residents vote yes on both measures, the park district would be able to offer additional recreational space for the community and programming for our community (youth developmental sports, pickleball, expanded performing arts, open gym, drop in pickleball, after school, expanded summer camp, and more).
The park district would also create a controlled entrance and secured space for our preschool and summer camp participants. Once the facility becomes self-funding, additional program revenue as well as the $150,000 available from the tax rate increase would be reinvested right into park improvements (playgrounds, tennis courts, pathways, etc.) here in La Grange Park each year.
What if only one question passes?
If residents vote yes to approve the tax rate increase, the park district would allocate an additional $150,000 per year to park maintenance and updates. The board would not further pursue expanding indoor recreational space in La Grange Park.
If residents vote yes to approve the $10.7M bond issuance but no to the tax rate increase, the park district would need to look elsewhere for funding to ensure first-year operation of the expanded facility (increased utilities, staffing, etc).