What is a tax rate referendum?
Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for District 39. The property tax cap was instituted in 1994. That means that without voter approval, school boards in Illinois can only raise annual property taxes by the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is less, plus taxes on any new construction. There is no provision in the tax cap legislation for enrollment increases. A tax rate referendum allows the District to ask voters to raise the tax rate.
