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Skokie board adopts capped 2025 property tax levy to address FY27 shortfall
Summary
Trustees approved a capped 2025 Cook County property tax levy increase of about $750,000 (to a $16.2 million village cap) and adopted a companion abatement ordinance; trustees framed the levy as maintaining current services and funding three expected unfrozen positions.
After a lengthy public hearing and staff presentations, the Skokie Village Board on Dec. 1 adopted an ordinance establishing the village’s 2025 Cook County property tax levy and a companion abatement ordinance.
Finance Director Julian Prendi and Corporation Counsel Barbara Mangler summarized the complex county assessment and levy process and recommended a capped levy of $16.2 million for the village portion (an increase of approximately $749,649.71). Prendi said the increase is intended to sustain current service levels as grants expire and costs rise; the funds were described as intended to address fiscal 2027 needs, including restoring a small number of previously frozen positions and covering the anticipated loss of grant funding.
Manager John Lockerbie said the levy is not intended to add new services but to sustain existing ones: "It is just to maintain our existing services," he said. Trustees pressed staff on how the $750,000 would be allocated, protections for renters and seniors, and whether the levy would become an annual expectation. Trustee Gail Schechter urged strategic use of new levy dollars to incentivize commercial growth that would ease residents’ tax burden.
During the roll call, trustees Alyssa Lisonbee Levy, Pierce Slobin, Gail Schechter and Trustee Iverson voted aye; Trustees Kimani Levy and Robinson voted nay. The ordinance passed. The board also adopted a separate abatement ordinance that directs Cook County not to collect certain debt‑service amounts previously included in bond ordinances.
Officials said the levy will fund fiscal 2027 and will not appear on property tax bills until collection timing in mid‑2027; staff said outreach and assessor‑office events will be promoted to help residents file eligible exemptions.
The board asked staff to present additional details as part of the upcoming budget process and to continue outreach to senior and renter populations about exemption programs.
