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Glen Ellyn SD 41 trustees hear 'Levy 101' briefing; public hearing on fund transfer draws no speakers
Summary
District finance staff gave a step‑by‑step presentation on the annual property tax levy and the limits imposed by Illinois law; a required public hearing on planned intra‑fund transfers drew no public remarks and the board later approved the transfers.
Glen Ellyn School District 41 on Oct. 20 heard a detailed presentation on the district’s annual property tax levy process and held a public hearing on planned intra‑fund transfers tied to construction and full‑day kindergarten projects.
The briefing, led by Eric DePorter, assistant superintendent for finance, facilities and operations, walked the board through the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, the role of CPI and new property value in setting a district’s levy, and the calendar for levy adoption. "So for the 2025 levy, we're gonna look at last year's levy. We're gonna increase it by CPI... that's 2.9%," DePorter said.
Why it matters: the levy the board adopts in December funds the 2026–27 school year because property tax receipts arrive the following June and September. DePorter stressed that while the board may file a preliminary levy in November, the county clerk will automatically reduce any filed levy that exceeds the legal maximum computed under state law.
DePorter described elements the board will consider in November and December: the CPI adjustment, an estimate for taxes tied to new construction in the district (which must be estimated because exact values are not yet known), and options such as making an abatement to preserve future tax capacity. "When you abate dollars, you do not lower your maximum amount in the succeeding year," he said.
The board opened a public hearing on transfers of funds connected to the fiscal 2026 budget. The proposed transfers would move resources from the education fund into the operations and maintenance fund and then into the capital projects fund to pay for completed construction work and the full‑day kindergarten project. Board Secretary Mrs. Moke called for public comment; none were submitted.
Board action: later in the meeting trustees voted to authorize transfers identified in the fiscal 2026 budget (see "Votes at a glance" article for the motion text and roll‑call results).
The levy briefing was largely procedural and educational; DePorter said the district will present a preliminary levy in November and ask the board to place it on public display prior to formal action in December. He also reminded the board that the legal limits under PTEL mean districts receive the maximum permissible extension even if they file a larger request.
The presentation and the hearing closed with no substantive public input. District staff and board members said the November presentation will contain a preliminary levy estimate and that questions about new property growth remain until county assessment and clerk figures are published.
Looking ahead: DePorter and the administration will return in November with an estimated levy for the board to place on public display, and in December seek formal adoption before the statutory deadline.
