Lower Tax Hike Expected For Hinsdale D86

HINSDALE, IL – Like most schools, Hinsdale High School District 86 increased its property tax levy to the maximum allowed under state law for the last two years.

Those hikes amounted to 5 percent. The state allows taxing bodies to raise taxes to the rate of inflation, up to 5 percent.

For more than four decades, the inflation rate was lower than 5 percent. But after historic inflation in 2021 and 2022, schools and other entities were allowed to go to 5 percent.

Last year, for instance, school board members – conservatives and liberals alike – voted unanimously for the maximum hike. They cited increases in costs.

As of December 2023 – when the inflation rate is gauged for tax purposes – it was 3.4 percent.

Historically, the board has increased the levy to the rate of inflation. An exception was made more than a decade ago. At the time, the board kept the levy flat. That decision drew criticism, with opponents saying it was important to use inflation as a metric.

During a presentation at Tuesday's school board meeting, Josh Stephenson, the district's chief financial officer, noted the 3.4 percent inflation increase.

No one on the board questioned the idea of hiking the levy by the inflation rate.

The board is expected to decide by December.