Waukegan School District 60 Board Approves Urgent Tax Levy Hike

UPDATE: Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 has just approved a significant property tax levy increase of nearly 5%, marking the first hike in six years. The Board of Education voted 5-1 at a meeting held on Tuesday at the Education Service Center in Waukegan.

This tax increase comes as inflation continues to outpace revenue growth, creating a pressing need for additional funds to maintain educational quality. The district plans to raise approximately $55 million through this real estate tax levy, which reflects an increase of 4.9998% from last year’s amount.

Gwen Polk, the district’s associate superintendent for business and financial services, noted that the exact tax levied will not be determined until late March or early April. However, the urgency of this decision is clear, as a majority of board members have expressed the necessity for increased funding to support students amid mounting financial pressures.

Board member Christine Lensing, who voted in favor of the levy, emphasized the responsibility to provide students with the best education possible, stating, “Unfortunately, we need to understand the biggest hardship is on our students.” The financial landscape for the district is precarious, with projected revenue from all sources forecasted at just over $283.6 million against a budget of $323 million approved in September.

If the board decides to implement the maximum tax increase, homeowners with an assessed property value of $103,205 will see their annual property taxes rise by $155, while senior citizens will face an additional $170. Polk highlighted that the district has already missed out on approximately $35 million in revenue due to not increasing the levy sooner.

In light of federal funding uncertainties—around $30 million is anticipated from Washington—board members are increasingly concerned about rising costs that exceed revenue growth. Polk pointed out that salaries are outpacing revenue, adding, “We need to start putting down the sandbags to lessen the degree to which the storm is going to be in our district.”

While board member Anita Hanna opposed the levy, advocating for spending cuts instead, other members like Carolina Fabian and board president Michael Rodriguez believe that a tax increase is a necessary step to ensure the district can weather financial storms. Rodriguez remarked, “We swore an oath and we don’t have a choice in that matter. We have to make sure for our children the funds are there especially in light of all the uncertainty.”

The board’s decision reflects a growing recognition that without sufficient funding, the quality of education for Waukegan’s children could be jeopardized. As discussions continue, the community will be watching closely for the upcoming assessment extension and the final tax rates that will shape their financial landscape in the months to come.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.