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Board adopts 2025 property‑tax levy of $55.4 million and ratifies October payments; members debate tax increases and spending
Summary
The board adopted an aggregate 2025 property‑tax levy totaling $55,408,404 after a public hearing and debate; it also approved an abatement for bond principal and ratified October board bills totaling roughly $2.4 million. The levy vote passed by majority after extended discussion about lost state funding and local tax impacts.
The Waukegan Board of Education formally opened its required hearing on the 2025 property‑tax levy and after public comment adopted an aggregate levy of $55,408,404.
A district finance staff member told the board the recommended levy follows Truth in Taxation practice and is proposed “up to 4.9998% greater than what we extended last tax year” so the district can evaluate final extension figures when equalized assessed valuations are known. The staff member said the levy request is intended to avoid further erosion of the district’s tax base and to provide flexibility should state aid be delayed or reduced.
Board members debated the decision at length. Several members said holding the tax rate level over previous years had cost the district a permanent loss of tax base. Board member Miss Lindsey urged the board to secure revenue in case state and federal funding are cut, saying the district previously funded staff pay increases that now require offsetting revenue. Board member Miss Hannah said she would prefer a smaller increase and wanted more evidence of spending reductions before maximizing the levy. Miss Lensing said she would vote for the levy to ensure the district can provide services and keep pace with salary and benefit obligations.
During the public comment portion of the hearing dozens of residents and local stakeholders addressed the board. Resident Ray Vukovich criticized the micro‑meeting format and the pace of personnel and student discipline items on the agenda. A community speaker, Mr. Mogadish, urged the board to examine district spending, saying, “You really need to look at how you're spending your money.” Another resident criticized administrative growth and repeated curriculum changes in recent years.
The board also took two related finance actions: it adopted a resolution to abate the 2024 levy for principal and interest on $7,000,000 in taxable general obligation bonds, alternate revenue source series 2016; and it ratified the first set of October board bills, manual checks and Old National Bank insurance payments. The accounts‑payable board payments totaled $2,418,072.18; manual check requests totaled $1,693,133.83; and Old National Bank insurance payments totaled $920,890.44; the board voted to ratify those payments.
Final votes: the abatement resolution and the ratification of accounts and payments passed on roll call. On the levy adoption, the roll call recorded Miss Fabian voting yes, Miss Hannah voting no, Miss Lensing yes, Mr. McBride yes, Mr. Riddle yes and President Rodriguez yes; the motion carried by majority.
The administration said staff will confirm final extension numbers with the county clerk when equalized assessed valuations and property‑value changes are finalized, and the board will determine the final extension amount in the spring when those figures are available.
