Western Springs Likely To Tax To Max

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs is poised to increase its property tax levy to the maximum allowed under state law.

Village officials are looking at a proposal to hike next year's levy, which includes the library, to $10.2 million, a 5 percent increase.

Under the state's tax limitation law, a government body can increase its levy up to 5 percent when inflation is 5 percent or greater. This is the first time inflation has been this high since the law took effect in the early 1990s.

Despite the inflation, other towns, including Elmhurst, Burr Ridge and Darien, are keeping their property tax levies the same. La Grange is hiking its levy by 4 percent.

In Western Springs, nearly 70 percent of last year's property tax bill was for schools. The village, including the library, was second, at 15.5 percent.

Schools are heavily dependent on property taxes. By contrast, municipalities have many other sources of income, including fines, fees, and sales, gas and income taxes.

Many school districts, including Lyons Township High School, are increasing their levies by 5 percent.

During Monday's Western Springs Village Board meeting, no trustees questioned the proposal to increase the levy by 5 percent.

They plan to vote on the levy at their Dec. 19 meeting.