Lincoln Heights council advances levy measures, approves multiple property sales and finance transfer

Lincoln Heights — At its May 12, 2025 meeting the Village of Lincoln Heights council acted on a package of fiscal measures: it advanced the renewal of the existing operating levy (Resolution 2025‑R‑32), approved a resolution asking the county auditor to certify revenue projections for a proposed 2‑mill increase (Resolution 2025‑R‑33), approved multiple resolutions authorizing sale of identified parcels, and authorized a finance transfer in the general fund (Resolution 2025‑R‑45).

On the operating levy, a presenter clarified that a renewal is calculated against the prior property valuation rather than the county’s recent reassessment; the existing operating levy is 16 mills and requires renewal every five years. The council discussed that one mill is equivalent to $35 per $100,000 of assessed value, so a 2‑mill increase would add $70 per $100,000 of assessed value annually for the life of the levy (the presenter used $35 per mill per $100,000 as the conversion example).

Roll‑call votes on the levy items were recorded in the meeting. For the procedural motions to suspend rules and receive Resolution 2025‑R‑32 for passage, council recorded five ayes and one nay; similar vote counts were recorded for Resolution 2025‑R‑33. Councilwoman Phyllis Baber was recorded as the lone no vote on several levy-related motions.

Council also approved a set of resolutions (R38–R44) authorizing sale of specified parcels on Chicago Avenue, Congress Avenue, Bird Avenue (noted parcel commonly known as 1400 Bird Avenue) and 845 Adams Street; these motions to suspend rules, receive for passage and adopt emergency clauses were recorded typically as unanimous (6–0) votes during the meeting.

The council passed Resolution 2025‑R‑45 authorizing the finance director to transfer monies between object codes within the general fund (motion passed by roll call). The council noted that ordinance 25‑O‑2 (electric aggregation) had been introduced the same night and required a separate motion by title because it was presented that evening.

Procedural notes: several motions were moved, seconded and adopted by recorded roll calls with tallies shown in the meeting transcript. Where the transcript recorded individual roll-call votes, the meeting minutes in this article reflect those tallies rather than inferred positions on unrecorded parliamentary steps.

Next steps: the council will receive auditor certifications as requested for the proposed levy increase and will determine whether to place a levy increase on the ballot. Several property-sales resolutions included emergency clauses authorizing immediate effect; implementation details and buyer identities were not discussed in depth during the meeting.

Outcome summary: Resolutions R32 (levy renewal) and R33 (levy increase request to auditor) advanced by recorded roll calls (motions passed: 5–1 on key suspensions/passage motions). Resolutions R38–R44 (property sales) passed, generally by unanimous 6–0 recorded votes. Resolution R45 (finance transfer) passed by roll call (6–0).