Elmhurst Residents Subsidize Out-Of-Towners: Officials

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst residents pay far more for fire department services than those just north of town, who receive the same benefit, officials said Monday.

The officials were responding to state legislation that would merge the two fire districts north of town.

Bensenville Fire District No. 1 serves more than 800 households in the unincorporated area just north of Elmhurst. For more than three decades, it has been "paper" district, providing no actual fire service.

During that time, households south of Grand Avenue – about 350 – have received fire services from Elmhurst. Those north of Grand – about 500 – are served by Bensenville Fire District No. 2.

District No. 1 gives checks each year to Elmhurst and District No. 2. In budget year 2021, Elmhurst got $98,258, while District No. 2 received $136,250.

At a City Council committee meeting Monday, Alderwoman Marti Deuter said city residents pay more than twice for fire services per capita than what their unincorporated counterparts do.

"I see the city has been subsidizing some of this service," she said.

Some residents north of town contend their property taxes for fire services would triple if they are consolidated into District No. 2.

Because of the legislation, city officials said they struck a deal with District No. 2. If the bill passes, District No. 2 would send tax money from the residents south of Grand to Elmhurst, which would continue providing the same service.

Elmhurst officials said they preferred the status quo, but must prepare if the legislation passes.

"The change being brought about was not at the impetus of the city of Elmhurst," Mayor Scott Levin said.

Whatever the case, the mayor said, Elmhurst would likely be the one to respond to fires in the unincorporated area south of Grand.

"Getting a $100,000 contribution is better than zero," Levin said.

Acting Elmhurst Fire Chief Bill Anaszewicz said Elmhurst has a faster response time than District No. 2 to areas south of Grand.

During public comments, Paul DeMichele, District No. 1's controller, said the district spent $8,000 in the last year – about one-fourth of its overhead – on answering "make-work" public records requests.

A group questioning the district's expenditures has been filing numerous requests. DeMichele pointed to an email by one of the group's members to the district's lawyer – likely sent by accident.

"Lol, this is great, that will keep them busy and ring up those bills," a woman said, apparently referring to the submitted requests.

Without those requests, Elmhurst would get even more money from the district, DeMichele said.

"If you incorporate us into Bensenville, this is going to lead to the largest tax increase in our history," DeMichele said.