Center Cass Tax Hike Takes Bigger Lead In Vote

DARIEN, IL – The proposed property tax increase in Center Cass School District 66 appears increasingly likely to pass.

As of Monday morning, the tax hike referendum had received 2,937 votes in favor to 2,915 against, a margin of 22 votes. A week ago, the lead was 15.

The election was Nov. 8, but mail ballots are still coming in. To be counted, those ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within two weeks of the election, with the deadline Tuesday.

If the referendum passes, residents will see the Center Cass portion of their property tax bill increase by nearly 20 percent. For a $300,000 house, the tax bill would rise to $2,346, from $1,969, according to the district. That's an increase of $377.

The debate over the increase became testy in the weeks and months leading up to the election. Even afterward, tensions lingered.

A day after the election, when it appeared the referendum would fail, school board member Brian Liedtke accused those voting against the increase of having "selfish tendencies."

Liedtke also resigned from two Darien city committees. He criticized the city in general and Alderman Eric Gustafson in particular.

Gustafson was a vocal opponent of the tax hike. Liedtke said he and others had found a candidate to run against Gustafson.