PALOS HILLS, IL—Moraine Valley Community College officials and trustees are engaging in a public relations campaign to build momentum and support for a proposed bond referendum that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Voters in 26 communities will be asked to vote yes or no to a $115 million bond referendum that will enable the college to add a building to the Palos Hills campus to accommodate the continuing growth of its career-ready programs. The ballot question reads:
"Shall Moraine Valley Community College District No. 524, County of Cook and State of Illinois, build, equip, renovate, and repair buildings of the District for programs including but not limited to: automation and engineering technology, fire science, emergency medical services, automotive, HVAC/refrigeration, and welding, and issue its bonds to the amount of $115,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?"
Referendum 2026
The new bond would replace the college's current debt levy that is set to expire in December 2026, college officials said. Over the past five years, Moraine Valley has experienced double-digit growth in its career and technical education programs. Officials said the college has reached capacity and lacks the permanent space to allow for continued growth. Bond funds will enable the college to build, equip, renovate and repair buildings to expand the programs to industry standards.
Moraine Valley administration and the board of trustees maintain that the impact on homeowners' tax bills will be about $1.50 per year for a $400,000 house and 62 cents for a $300,000 home. The tax bill for a $1 million home would be $3.57. (Calculate your tax bill)
"If we vote no, my impact savings would be about $6," Moraine Valley board member Patricia Murphy said. "I'm willing to pay $6 to build our much-needed programs for the next 30, 40 years by keeping our graduates here contributing billions of dollars to the regional economy."
According to a recent Lightcast economic impact study, Moraine Valley Community College contributes $1.1 billion to the regional economy and supports more than 12,300 jobs.
The proposed improvements would create permanent instruction space designed to support at least 20 percent additional enrollment in career and technical education programs. Career paths that will directly benefit from the referendum include automation and engineering technology, fire science, emergency medical services, automotive technology, HVAC/refrigeration and welding.
Other smaller community colleges throughout Illinois have added buildings dedicated to technology education. New and renovated facilities will provide students with modern industry-aligned learning environments and equipment.
"One college built a fire science building. We haven't done that in a long time," Murphy said. "Adding a building for a new program allows us to move other programs around and make everything fit better."
Moraine Valley Community College is planning three public information sessions, where voters can learn more about the $115 million bond referendum.
Both in-person sessions will take place in the Moraine Valley Business and Conference Center, Building M, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, a virtual public information session will be held from noon to 1 p.m. CT.
Moraine Valley Community College Dist. 524 covers 139 square miles in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Voters in the following 26 communities will find Referendum26 on the Nov. 3 ballot:
Alsip * Bridgeview * Chicago Ridge * Forest View (part) * Justice * Oak Lawn * Palos Heights * Robbins * Willow Springs (part) * Bedford Park * Burbank * Crestwood * Hickory Hills * Merrionette Park * Orland Hills * Palos Park * Summit * Worth * Blue Island * Calumet Park * Evergreen Park * Hometown * Oak Forest (part) * Orland Park * Palos Park * Tinley Park (part)
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