Vote Tuesday for Mayor, In School Referendum

If you live in Morton Grove, or if you live in the Golf School District 67 portion of Niles, you've got a date with a ballot box Tuesday.

Though primary elections are rare in the suburbs, this is an important one. Voters who live within School District 67 boundaries (within both Morton Grove and Niles) will vote on whether to raise their property taxes to provide more funding for the district.

All voters in Morton Grove will vote in an Action Party primary election to determine which candidate--Mayor Dan Staackmann or Trustee Dan DiMaria--will become the Action Party's candidate for mayor in the April 9 election.

District 67 referendum--Cuts in teachers, programs, vs. higher taxes

School District 67 has provided information on its website (it's hard to find, but there is some information) which has said it has expenses rising faster than income, and has not had a tax increase since 1969.

The district's website said it is asking for a tax increase because:

•Increased maintenance and operating costs due to aging facilities

•Decreased revenues (state and federal)

•Decreased Equalized Assessed Values limiting amount of yearly levy

•Increased levels of experienced teachers with advanced degrees

The district has cut some teachers, including a reading specialist, a special education specialist and three aide positions. It has also cut programs, such as library programs, sports, clubs, a STEM program, full-day kindergarten and early and late bus service.

A yes vote on the referendum would mean restoring these programs and personnel. There would be a cost, however. A homeowner in the district who has a $5,000 property tax bill would pay an additional estimated $244 annual property tax increase every year. A homeowner with a $10,000 property tax bill would pay an additional estimated $488 annual increase every year.

A no vote on the referendum would mean positions and programs would not be restored at District 67. Annual property taxes will increase only the base amount (about $45 for a homeowner with a $5,000 property tax bill and about $90 for a homeowner with a $10,000 property tax bill). 

The referendum questions will appear on the ballot as follows, according to the Cook County Clerk's office:

Shall the extension limitation under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Golf School District Number 67, Cook County, Illinois, be increased from the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index over the prior levy year to 16.3% for the 2013 levy year?For the 2013 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $93.80.

Action Party Mayoral Primary

The two candidates running for the Action Party's nomination for mayor are:

Dan Staackmann (currently mayor)

Dan DiMaria (currently a trustee)

The winner of the primary will face candidate Larry Gomberg, also a current trustee) in the April 9 election for mayor.

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