Politics & Government

Letter to the Editor: Assessor, School Board President Address District 97 Referendum Confusion

Joint statement addresses calculation kerfuffle.

Editor's note: Oak Park Elementary School District 97 spokesman Chris Jasculca issued this statement, co-authored by Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar and District 97 board president Peter Traczyk, to Oak Park-River Forest Patch on Sunday. 

A calculation on District 97's referendum ballot question regarding the cost of the referendum for homeowners has sparked debate among tax experts. According to bond counsel for District 97, the calculation appearing on the ballot complies with state law.

by Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar. ElSaffar states that the tax impact calculation on the ballot underestimates the referendum’s cost to taxpayers because it does not account for the state equalizer. The equalizer is a factor that appears on all property tax bills in Cook County.

Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While we have a difference of opinion on what is required to be on the ballot, what we have and will continue to agree upon is that the increase in the limiting rate that the district is seeking on April 5, 2011 will cost taxpayers $38 per $1000 on a property tax bill. The $38 per $1000 figure is the one the district has been communicating since the Board of Education adopted the referendum resolution on January 18, 2011. It is also the one that was verified by ElSaffar on January 19, 2011.

We also agree that taxpayers can use this $38 per $1000 figure to determine how much this proposed tax increase from the referendum will cost. For example, a household that has a $10,000 tax bill will pay an additional $380.

Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We understand that aspects of the Illinois tax system can be challenging to navigate, and appreciate the constructive conversation on this issue that we have had with each other and members of our community. We also hope the information we have provided here will clear up any confusion moving forward.

Ali ElSaffar       
Oak Park Township Assessor      

Peter Traczyk 
District 97 Board President 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here