The La Grange Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 2024 property tax levy calling for a 3.4% increase over the 2023 levy, exclusive of debt service.
But for many property owners, the village and library’s share of the levy will remain flat, or even see a slight decrease, officials said.
For the homeowner with a property valued at $515,000, the total annual increase will be $47.67 for the village’s portion, but will decrease by $83.13 for the La Grange Public Library, meaning the projected levy for both will be an estimated $35.46 less than last year.
While the approved levy is just an estimate before the Cook County Assessors’ office finalizes it in April, La Grange’s levies have historically been very close to the final product.
One reason for the lower levy is the amount of new growth in the village, which won’t be tabulated until June of 2025. While La Grange is essentially land-locked, renovations such as the new McDonald’s at La Grange road and Ogden Avenue count as new growth.
Another reason is that the library paid off debt service in the amount of $612,750.
The levy was approved Dec. 9 without comment, but board members had their say afterward.
President Mark Kuchler promised to continue looking for ways to keep the levy reasonable.
“We’re raising it based on the cost of living index and I think their levy’s reasonable,” he said. “We’ll continue to look for outside sources to help with capital projects
Trustee Lou Gale credited La Grange’s growth for the essentially flat levy.
“I’m excited that the average taxpayer may see a flat or even a slight decrease in the village and library portion of their property tax bill,” he said. “While the levy tracks inflation, growth in the village allows us to spread out the tax burden.”
The Illinois Property Tax Limitation Law limits levy hikes — exempting debt service — to 5%, or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.
A levy exceeding those limits mandates a public hearing, and although none was necessary this year, the board had one anyway; no one commented.
“We’ve always done it because we want to make sure the community understands why we’re asking for increases, just for transparency purposes,” Kuchler said.
While the total levy is lower this year, village officials stressed that school districts have a large impact on property tax bills. And in some areas, properties are subject to taxes from 18 different entities.
This year, the village and library’s share of the levy will be just over 10%, which reflects recent historical trends.
In other business, a new firefighter/paramedic was sworn in to La Grange’s Fire Department.
Sebastian Katzel’s appointment was approved by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in November, filling one of two department vacancies.
Katzel already has 20 year’s experience in fire service.
After beginning his career in Oak Lawn, he served the last 16 years at the Burbank Fire Department as an engineer paramedic.
He has also served as a member of Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division 27, a group offering assistance in emergency rapid response to neighboring communities in different sections of Illinois.
Katzel is a father to a daughter and two sons.
The next La Grange Village Board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Rd.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.