The District 153 school board gave preliminary approval to its 2024 tax levy showing a $21,840,000 budget to fund schools in the 2025-26 school year. The levy shows a $1.03-million increase over last year’s levy.
The school board will give final approval to the levy in December. A tax levy informs the county of how much it needs to collect from property owners for District 153. It is filed with the Cook County Clerk’s Office and the 2024 tax bills (payable in 2025) will reflect the changes.
The levy shows an overall 4.99% increase. Based on the 3.4% consumer price index (CPI) the district will receive an additional $707,498 in revenue, and an estimated 1.59% increase in new property is expected to earn $323,729. The district’s $5.47 tax rate will increase to $5.74 per $100 assessed value.
Under the state’s Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, taxing bodies can increase taxes at a rate of 5% or the CPI, whichever is less. For the 2024 levy, the district is using 3.4% CPI.
Chief School Business Official Eric Trimberger said the increase could drop some if there is no new property within the district’s boundaries. The new Wind Creek Southland Casino is not within the school district, he said.
One resident asked if the district’s money from the 2022 referendum is satisfying the district’s needs. She said her last tax bill went up almost 50%.
The district is getting additional revenue from the referendum that allowed for an increase in its education fund rate. Tax rates went up primarily because the Cook County Assessor’s Office reassessed South Suburbs property. The higher value meant higher tax collections. The majority of revenue from that extraordinary tax hike isn’t benefitting District 153, Superintendent Scott McAlister said. What new money the district did get helped cover the $1.5-million expense of a new roof at Churchill School. In summer 2025, the district will put a new roof on Willow School. The district also expects salaries to rise. It is negotiating a new teachers’ contract.
Residents will get some tax relief when District 153 gets additional state funding through the Property Tax Relief Grant. The $50 million is divided among districts that have high operating tax rates. This is the first time District 153 was eligible for the grant, according to Trimberger. He estimates the district will receive $1,427,503 in grant money.
By accepting the grant, the district must abate $1,557,497 back to property owners for two years.
The school board agreed to have Trimberger file for the grant. He expects it will be payable in April.
