Union School District 81 To Reimburse Portion Of Property Taxes

NEW LENOX, IL — For the sixth straight year, Union School District 81 will reimburse homeowners a portion of their school taxes, according to a news release from the district. Union SD 81 has rebated a total of $1.1 million over the past six years, according to Union SD 81 Superintendent Tim Baldermann.

This year's rebate is equal to 65 percent of what a tax payer paid to the district, Baldermann said. In New Lenox, that amounts to an average of $2,000, he said.

The district provided in-person learning all of last year during the pandemic and saw top academic results, according to the release. Financially, the district had been on the State's financial watch list just 10 years ago, but has received the highest financial rating possible for the past eight years in a row, according to the release.

"We are pleased to be able to reimburse homeowners a substantial portion of the property taxes they paid to the school district," Baldermann said. "Although we are not legally required to do so, we believe this money should be returned to the taxpayers. Additionally, our families pay no registration fees, we provide one-to-one technology for our students and they all receive free breakfast and lunch."

Union School District 81 Board President Patrick Sweeney added: "The Superintendent and Board of Education are pleased to provide a great education for our students while providing fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers."