Voters Say No To Library Operating Tax Increase: Unofficial Results

WILL COUNTY, IL — According to Tuesday's unofficial results, the White Oak Library District's referendum is projected to fail. Voters voted against a proposition deciding whether to increase the library's limiting rate under the Illinois property tax extension limitation law.

The question on the ballot asked:

"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the White Oak Library District, Will County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.0135% above the limiting rate for levy year 2020 and be equal to 0.1935% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2022?"

As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, unofficial results are:

35 out of 35 precincts reporting:

• YES - 3,928 votes
• NO - 4,886 votes

Election results will be official after canvassing on July 19, according to the county clerk. Provisional ballots cast on Election Day and all remaining vote by mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day will be counted by provisional count on July 12.

According to the library website, the referendum sought to raise the operating tax rate to 19.35 cents per $100 of assessed value. If it had been approved, average homes in the district would pay about $1.25 more per month, or $15 more per year, according to the library website.

If it had been approved, the referendum would improve services to the public, including 11 additional open hours per week, more outreach to seniors, and more online books and services.

Similar efforts to pass a referendum have been rejected by White Oak Library district voters multiple times since 2016.

In addition to the referendum from the White Oak Library District, residents also chose their party's candidates for statewide races, including governor, attorney general, Secretary of State, U.S. senator, U.S. representative, state senator and state representative.

This year's primary was held later than usual. Last year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill amending the election code, moving the primary from March to June as lawmakers awaited Census data to redraw Congressional maps.