Can the developers who are building the subdivisions be charged to pay for the cost of new schools?
The construction of new schools requires voter approval of a referendum. Bonds are then sold to finance the construction. The bonds are repaid from the proceeds of a bond and interest tax levy. All property owners in the district pay the levy via local property taxes. Prior to new legislation being passed in Springfield in 2003 the only fee assessment allowed on new developments were site contributions, the use of which is limited to the acquisition of land for new schools. In 2003 new legislation allowed municipalities to impose school facility impact fees. As a result, District 202 along with other area school districts and municipalities recently developed a schedule of school facility impact fees, which have been adopted by the Village of Plainfield, the Village of Romeoville and the City of Joliet. These fees will apply to future annexations and will be used to help fund the construction of new schools. The developer, who initially pays for both the site contribution and school fa
