Block to District 97 Tax Hike Rejected

A Cook County judge has shot down an anti-tax group's bid to suspend the planned property tax hike approved by Oak Park voters on April 5.

Judge Mary Mikva ruled last week against the "temporary restraining order" requested by Taxpayers United of America, a group aiming to block the tax hike because they believe language on the ballot question underestimates and misrepresents the impact on property owners.

That issue was brought to light by Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar . ElSaffar said language in the ballot question does not factor in the state's equalizer, a number the Illinois Department of Revenue determines each year to ensure that Cook County assessments are in line with assessments from across the state.

The omission, ElSaffar said, would result in inaccurate ballot language.

Despitea "difference of opinion on what is required to be on the ballot," school officials have maintained they're in the right and have called the lawsuit an

In a statement, school board president Peter Barber reacted to the judge's decision, saying the board believes the ruling "supports the fact that we have been fully transparent about the financial impact of the referendum since we adopted the resolution on January 18, 2011.

“While it is unfortunate that fighting this lawsuit will force the district to waste valuable time, energy and money that should be invested in meeting the needs of the families we serve, we will not allow it to impede our efforts to build on the academic excellence that is the hallmark of our schools.”

But members of the Chicago-based Taxpayers United of America haven't been fazed by the ruling. The group is aiming to block similar tax hikes in and Riverside Brookfield school districts.

“We don’t feel this is a setback, not at all," Christina Tobin, the group's vice president, told Oak Leaves. "We will prevail, and we expect to appeal any final ruling against us."

Another court date is set for June 30, when a final decision on the matter is expected.