Resident Denounces Darien Official On School Issue

DARIEN, IL – A Darien resident on Monday took issue with an alderman's role in opposing a proposed tax increase in Center Cass School District 66.

At a City Council meeting, resident Steve Shanks spoke during public comments, focusing on his Ward 6 alderman, Eric Gustafson.

Later in the meeting, Gustafson said most of what Shanks said was false.

Center Cass voters went to the polls Tuesday to decide on whether to increase the district's portion of the property tax bill by nearly 20 percent.

Shanks said he was worried about his 20-month-old daughter, who would go to a district that was on the "precipice of extreme hardship" if the referendum failed.

"As parents, we see our child's future school district as in crisis, fueled by misinformation and attempts to divide residents against one another," he said.

Such efforts are being supported by Gustafson, Shanks said, "who should be a voice representing all of his constituents and not his own personal interests. Alderman Gustafson has for months made public his personal opposition while running signs in his front yard which falsely inflate the cost he would pay."

Shanks questioned Gustafson's assertion that the tax increase would affect 15 percent of his ward that are retirees. Shanks said he could find no basis for that statistic, even with a public records request to the city.

"He has used his position with the weight of an alderman to push his own agenda rather than advocate for over 1,000 children who attend the public schools serving his ward," Shanks said. "Why has Alderman Gustafson not been the first party to reach across the aisle to promote civility rather than vitriol?"

Gustafson said he really didn't want to respond to Shanks' statement, most of which he said was "totally false." He said that in the debate over the tax, he has expressed support for a bill on school district consolidation by state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan.

"It is about school district consolidation, not school consolidation," Gustafson said. "I want more money to go to kids. That's all I'm looking for. That's what this bill does."

Combined, Darien's three school districts – Center Cass, Cass 63 and Darien 61 – have about 3,200 students. That's hundreds fewer than Hinsdale District 181.

After Gustafson spoke, Mayor Joseph Marchese weighed in. He noted the tax hike referendums in both Center Cass and Cass District 63.

"I hope the disparate sides can come together and make decisions that are in the best interests of the children, the districts and the city," the mayor said.