The District 153 school board approved an $18.2 million tax levy for 2020 at its meeting Monday, Dec. 7.

The levy shows an overall increase of 2.64% over the previous year.

Chief School Business Official John Gibson said the levy stays within the Illinois tax caps limit for increases of 5% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. Gibson used the 2.3% CPI number. He said that should raise $345,000 for the district. He also estimated new construction at $2 million. That is expected to raise the total increase to $460,000. 

The district is allocating $15.5 million, or a 3.07% increase, into the capped funds accounts, including life safety, education, transportation, tort and social security. The Bond & Interest Fund levy is $2.7 million, a 0.25% increase over 2019.

The district will file its levy request with the Cook County Clerk’s office. It expects to see the increase on tax payments from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office in summer.