Tax Hike For Residents Next To Elmhurst?

ELMHURST, IL — The residents in the unincorporated area between Elmhurst and Bensenville may see a property tax increase as the result of state legislation.

The legislation, introduced by Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, would dissolve Bensenville Fire District No. 1, which covers 850 residential parcels in the unincorporated area. The responsibility for that area would go to Bensenville First District No. 2, a public body that covers the area inside Bensenville's village limits.

As part of the legislation, the property tax could be raised inside Fire District No. 1 over two years. Bensenville officials favor the legislation.

Fire District No. 1 has been considered a "paper" district since 1988, meaning it has no equipment or buildings. It simply sends checks each year to Elmhurst and Bensenville. Elmhurst provides services south of Grand Avenue and Bensenville north of Grand.

In an interview, Bensenville Village Manager Evan Summers said it made no sense to continue having a paper district.

"We all agree that having an unaccountable paper fire district is odd," he said.

Summers didn't have an exact figure on how much taxes would rise. But he said taxes would increase in Fire District No. 1 and fall in Fire District No. 2. They would then have a common rate, he said.

In an interview, Paul DeMichele, a representative of Fire District No. 1, said property taxes for fire services would triple if Fire District No. 1 were dissolved. He said the unincorporated area would get no benefit in services in exchange for the tax hike.

DeMichele spoke at Monday's Elmhurst City Council meeting, warning about the legislation. He said the discussion has involved Bensenville, not Elmhurst.

"The loss to Elmhurst is significant. We gave you $106,000 last year," DeMichele told aldermen.

In response, Mayor Scott Levin said he and other city officials would meet with their counterparts from Addison Township and Bensenville about the issue the next day.

In an email Wednesday, Mayor Scott Levin said the council's Public Safety Committee would take up the matter Monday. That discussion would lead to an official city position, he said.

State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, did not return a message for comment.