All Lake County voters will have the opportunity this fall to decide if the Lake County Forest Preserves District gets the opportunity to spend $155 million to improve its lands and facilities, as well as acquire new property to expand its acreage of natural surroundings.
The Forest Preserves District referendum is one of 10 voters will decide in all or parts of Lake County in the Nov. 5 general election, according to the final list of ballot questions released by the Lake County Clerk’s Office Thursday.
Of the 10 referendums, six are binding if approved and involve increasing property or other taxes. Four are advisory questions seeking voters’ opinions on issues ranging from allowing liquor license holders to hold public office in Highland Park to statewide taxes.
Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega said referendums, whether binding or advisory, are an opportunity for voters to let government officials at a local level know how they feel about issues.
“They give voters the opportunity to give direction to local government,” he said. “They are making financial decisions that impact them. It’s an important role for voters to take seriously and make their voices heard.”
On three statewide advisory referendums — taxing high-income individuals more, creating civil liability for election interference and health insurance for reproductive treatment — as well as the Highland Park question, Vega said voters can sway public officials.
Should the forest preserves referendum pass, it will cost the owner of a $300,000 single-family home an additional $32.97 for the first year, according to information on the clerk’s website.
Work began on the forest preserves ballot initiative more than a year ago when district officials began charting plans for the next 10 years.
Freest Preserves District Executive Director Ty Kovach said when introducing the idea to the commissioners last year, approximately 55% of the funds will be used to improve existing forests, savannahs, prairies and wetlands; 42% for new property, and the rest for deferred maintenance.
All voters will also offer their opinions on three statewide issues. They will let their representatives in Springfield know how they feel about taxing individuals earning more than $1 million a year an additional 3% annually, according to the website.
Also appearing on the ballot is a statewide advisory referendum which would allow candidates for federal, state or local offices, to be sued if they interfere or try to interfere with election workers’ official duties.
State lawmakers also want to know how voters feel about health insurance for medically appropriate reproductive treatment, according to the website. Treatments would include in vitro fertilization and pregnancy, without limiting the number of treatments.
Voters living within the boundaries of Mundelein Consolidated High School District 120 are being asked to spend $149.5 million for improvements to the building, including fire protection systems, security features, technical education spaces and more, according to the website.
For those living within the boundaries of Barrington Community Unit School District 220, voters will vote whether or not to spend $64 million to build and equip an auditorium at Barrington High School, put an addition on the building and make other improvements, according to the website.
If approved, the cost to the average district household will be an additional $236 a year in property taxes, according to a press release from the district. Several community meetings are planned. Voters approved a $147 million referendum four years ago.
Cary School District 26 is asking voters for $20 million to improve existing buildings with enhanced security and mechanical systems, according to the website.
Moraine Township, which includes all of Highwood, much of Highland Park and parts of Lake Forest, is asking voters to increase its real estate tax levy no more than 0.03% to provide mental health facilities and services for people with intellectual, developmental or substance-use disorders, according to the website.
The village of Kildeer wants voters to approve a municipal retailer’s occupation tax and municipal service
occupation tax by 0.5%, for a maximum local rate not to exceed 1%, for expenditures on municipal
operations, expenditures on public infrastructure projects, or property tax relief, according to the website.
A group of Highland Park residents gathered signatures on a sufficient number of petitions to place an advisory referendum on the ballot asking the City Council to repeal a 1930s ordinance prohibiting liquor license holders from being elected officials.
