The Skokie Village Board on Dec. 1 approved an ordinance to increase the village's 2025 Cook County property tax levy to address a projected structural deficit and sustain current service levels. Mayor Tennis and village staff said the increase is intended to preserve public safety, public works and other services rather than add new programs.

Village Corporation Counsel Barbara Mengler and Finance Director Julian Prendy outlined the mechanics of a levy that has been effectively frozen for 35 years. Prendy told the board that the village has relied on other, more volatile revenue sources while the frozen levy left a growing gap between revenues and rising costs including pensions and health care. He said the proposal'driven by fiscal-27 budget needs'aims to sustain services and fund the unfreezing of a small number of positions.

"We are recommending a levy increase to sustain the village's services as they are today," Prendy said during the presentation. He explained the change is timed so the levy will fund fiscal 2027 needs and that the village will phase replacements and projects consistent with the required replacement schedule for items such as lead service lines.

Trustees raised detailed questions about how the additional revenue would be used and its impact on renters and seniors. Trustee Schechter asked for specifics on how the $750,000 figure would be allocated; Trustee Robinson pressed on whether the change would affect public safety staffing and response capacity. Prendy and Village Manager John Lockerbie said staff expects to use the increase primarily to unfreeze three positions and to reduce reliance on costly overtime and temporary measures.

Residents who spoke during the public comment period expressed mixed views. Some urged caution about raising taxes; others, including former village finance director Dan Ryan, argued a modest levy increase is a fair, certain and equitable way to finance long-term municipal responsibilities.

After discussion, the board held a roll-call vote on the levy ordinance. The clerk recorded votes as follows: Trustee Lisonbee Levy (Aye), Trustee Pierce Slobin (Aye), Trustee Schechter (Aye), Trustee Kimani Levy (Nay), Trustee Robinson (Nay), and Trustee Iverson (Aye). The motion passed.

The board also approved a related abatement ordinance directing Cook County not to collect specified amounts of debt-related levies in order to cap the village levy as presented; that abatement passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

What happens next: Staff said the levy adjustment will be reflected in fiscal 2027 budgeting and that the village will publicize available county and township exemptions and assistance programs to help seniors and other vulnerable residents. The board indicated it will continue to review the budget and evaluate long-term revenue options.

Votes at a glance: Adopt ordinance establishing 2025 Cook County property tax levy (approved; recorded vote 4-2). Adopt ordinance abating portion of 2025 taxes (approved unanimously).