Clarendon Hills Neighborhood Found Lacking: Report

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Clarendon Hills officials are looking into setting up a special tax district in an area of town that it has identified as having several issues.

The district generally would run along the north and south sides of 55th Street between Western and Holmes avenues.

The village wants to set up a tax increment financing district, or TIF.

After the village establishes it, the money generated from the growth in the tax base would go to the district. Under state law, that money can be invested in projects in the district that spur development, benefitting the local economy in the long run.

To make a tax district happen, the village would need the approval of local school boards and other taxing bodies. The district would last 23 years.

In February, Dallas-based Ryan LLC, which consults with towns on TIFs, produced a report for Clarendon Hills on the potential tax district.

In its report, Ryan said the village has undertaken several planning efforts for the area in question. The village has found the neighborhood is "somewhat disconnected" from the rest of the town.

The neighborhood, the report said, lacks a clear uniform character, sidewalks and suitable infrastructure. It also has issues with standing water and water quality and has underutilized poorly maintained public spaces, according to the report.

The village plans a public hearing on the proposed tax district at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Village Hall.