Sycamore CUSD 427 board adopts 2025 tax levy after Truth-in-Taxation hearing

The Sycamore CUSD 427 Board of Education voted to approve the 2025 tax levy resolution following a Truth-in-Taxation public hearing and board discussion.

Board members opened a required public hearing and heard a detailed presentation from district finance staff, who explained the levy process and legal disclosures required under Public Act 1020895. The district said its operating revenues are comprised of roughly 75% levy dollars and that the recommended 2025 levy extension across funds would be a little over $46,000,000. The presentation said the district’s aggregate extended levy request represents about a 4.8% increase in extended levy and an overall increase of about 3.88% when the debt service decrease is included.

Why it matters: board members pressed staff on the limits created by the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTL), which caps growth from existing property at the lesser of 5% or the change in the national consumer price index (CPI). Nicole, the district finance presenter, explained: “Property tax extension limitation law ... limits the lesser of 5% or the increase in the national consumer price index,” and noted CPI for next year was estimated at 2.9%. Board members emphasized that if the district levies below the PTL cap in any year, the district loses that capacity in future years because the lower levy becomes the new base.

Board members also discussed state funding and mandates. Staff noted that Evidence‑Based Funding (EBF) is tiered and that the district receives a minority share of total state funding (the presenter said the district receives roughly 15% of revenue from the state while about 75% is local levy revenue). Board members characterized many state requirements as “unfunded mandates,” warning that mandated services such as special education and transportation are growing faster than the PTL cap allows the district to raise revenues.

District estimates cited during the presentation included an estimated EAV increase of about 6% and new construction value described as just over $1,010,000,000. The district also outlined the levy calendar: after board approval the final levy will be filed with county clerks by the last Tuesday in December and tax bills are issued in May.

After discussion, a motion to end debate (call the question) was moved and seconded; the board took a roll‑call vote and approved the 2025 tax levy resolution.

Next steps: the district will file the final levy with county clerks as required and proceed with the fiscal‑year budget work in January.

Sources: presentation and Q&A during the Truth-in-Taxation hearing and the board roll-call vote.