La Grange Library 'Leaving Money On Table': Official

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange Public Library is going with the same property tax levy increase as the village government.

That's usually the case. The Village Board votes on the library's tax levy every year.

On Monday, the board's majority approved a 4.5 percent increase in the tax levy for both the village and the library.

The legal maximum is 5 percent.

Trustee Beth Augustine, who wanted to go to 5 percent, asked library officials how they felt about getting less.

In response, Katie Allan, the library board's president, said the lower increase was akin to "leaving money on the table."

"We have many capital improvements that we would love to direct those funds to," Allan said. "We have a beautiful building, but it's nearing the 20-year mark. We have a lot of wear and tear and maintenance to keep it looking beautiful as it was in 2007 when it was built."

She concluded, "Again, we'll stay in line with what the Village Board is asking."

In Elmhurst last month, an alderman asked local library officials about whether the library had too much money in its coffers for capital projects.

The library director noted the library building was 20 years old and that the library board was saving money for capital improvements in coming years.

In La Grange, the library board is separately elected.