Referendum 2022 - Fact Page
Library Referendum Fails
We know that those of you who voted "yes" for our Library referendum are disappointed. During the campaign, we heard many positive comments from you. To everyone who voted "yes", asked a neighbor to vote "yes", or displayed a yard sign, thank you for your support. To those who volunteered on the Citizens' Campaign Committee, kudos to you for your outstanding effort and passion.Although the election is over, the need for more funding is not. To that end, if you would like to show us a little love, the best way to do that right now is by making a tax exempt donation to our Foundation, which is a 501(c)3 charity. Any amount would be appreciated, but we are suggesting a donation of $15.00. That is the amount the average homeowner would have paid in extra taxes for one year. Here is a link to our secure PayPal portal
Quick Facts
In 1929 our library’s operating tax rate was 18 cents per $100 of assessed value.
In 2021 (93 years later) our operating tax rate is 18 cents per $100 of assessed value.
On June 28th we are asking the public to raise our operating tax rate to 19.35 cents per $100 of assessed value.
*The question on the ballot can be confusing. A yes vote in June means you support this effort and a no vote means you do not.
If this ballot measure is approved, average homes in the White Oak Library District would pay about $1.25 more per month or $15.00 more per year. Calculate your tax here
Here is the actual question that will appear on the ballot this November:
"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the White Oak Library District, Will County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.0135% above the limiting rate for levy year 2020 and be equal to 0.1935% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2022?"
So what does all of that mean for you?
Essentially if this referendum were to pass, a $100,000 home would pay an additional $6.60 toward the annual library operating tax. Obviously the average home is worth more than $100,000. Taking that into account, the average home would pay about $15.00 more per year ($1.25 more per month) if this referendum is approved. Calculate your tax here
What Else Happens if the Referendum Passes?
With the additional funds, the White Oak Library District plans to improve library services to the public. The need for these proposed improvements is based on public feedback received from a recent survey as well as goals set forth in our Strategic Plan (which was formulated with input from a Citizen's Advisory Committee). The main service enhancements which we plan to provide are as follows:
Open More Hours
We are seeking to add 11 hours per week. The proposed new set of hours would be:
Mon 9:00am - 9:00pm
Tue 9:00am - 9:00pm
Wed 9:00am - 9:00pm
Thu 9:00am - 9:00pm
Fri 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sat 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sun 12:00pm - 5:00pm
More Outreach To Seniors
Our services for older adults are as proven as they are wonderful, but we know more are needed. Nearly 25% of our District residents are seniors (that's about 20,000 people) and our current Outreach services need to expand to meet this growing need. Our lobby stop service is very popular as are home delivery, talking books, and our new memory kits. With a successful referendum we can extend these wonderful services to all District residents who need them.
More Online Books & Services
The recent pandemic revealed that we need more online and virtual books and services. If this measure succeeds we will be able to fund great increases to our online offerings.
Calculating The Tax Bill Impact on an Average Home:
For those who are curious, here are the numbers. We have also included a handy calculator for the public to use to calculate the impact of this if it were successful.
1. The assessed tax value of the average home in the District will be about $218,000 in 2023.
2. If the library does nothing to improve its funding formula, the average home in our district will pay about $125 to operate our libraries in 2023.
3. If the library is successful in passing the referendum to improve its funding, the average home in our district will pay about $140 to operate our libraries in 2023.
3. The proposed amount in line 2 above minus the amount in line 1 above = an increase of $15 per year per average home (that equates to $1.25 per month).
