White Oak Library District Referendum Fails Again

ROMEOVILLE, IL -- It’s three strikes for the White Oak Library District’s referendum on Tuesday.

The library district made its third attempt -- after failed referendums in March and November 2016 -- to get voters to sign off on funding that would allow it to expand hours at its new Crest Hill branch and remodeled Lockport and Romeoville locations.

The question lost by 1,656 votes, with 3,101 people voting yes and 4,757 saying no.

The limiting rate increase would have meant an additional $16 to $17 per year on the average homeowner’s tax bill, or about $1.38 per month.

In 2010, a successful $23 million referendum allowed the library district to purchase and renovate the Romeoville branch, renovate and add a 5,000-square-foot addition to the Lockport branch and build a brand-new Crest Hill library.

The April 4 referendum would have been he first operating rate increase in the library district's 95-year history, according to Executive Director Scott Pointon.

All results are unofficial until April 25.