For voters in Northfield and Northbrook, Election Day had as much to do about green space as it did in selecting Illinois’ next federal and state representatives.
Residents of both suburbs turned out to pass a referendum on the March 17 primary election ballot that will raise local property taxes by 0.1% to help the Northfield Park District strengthen its park systems and build out its 2023-2028 Comprehensive Plan.
With 100% of precincts reporting, 57.6% of voters approved the referendum, with 42.4% voting against. A total of 1,363 ballots were cast, a mere 36% of all registered voters in the area, according to unofficial Cook County Clerk’s office election results.
All votes are unofficial until certified by Cook County and then later finalized by the Illinois State Board of Elections. Mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day will still need to be counted.
A 0.1% property tax increase equates to about a $30 increase per $100,000 in property value, according to the district’s website. For a $1 million market value home, that’s an increase of $300 per year. For a home with a $500,000 market value, it would be $150.
“We are thrilled to see the community support behind the Park District referendum,” said Northfield Park District Executive Director Bill Byron in an email to the Pioneer Press.
“The additional funds will allow us to continue to provide the highest quality parks, facilities and programs for generations to come.”
Byron said the district’s first step after the votes are certified by Cook County is working with the Park Board of Commissioners to “ensure everyone is aligned with the priorities of the identified projects” in the Comprehensive Plan.
“Thankfully, we have done significant planning for a number of those projects which should allow us to move quickly once we decide on the path forward,” Byron said. “We deeply appreciate the trust our residents have placed in us and look forward to continuing our responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars as we bring the Master Plan to life.”
The plan includes constructing a new Northside Pocket Park, estimated to cost the district about $600,000, which will be comprised of a new playground, bike repair station, benches and a connection to the Skokie Valley Trail.
Willow Park will also be updated, with $2.5 to $3.5 million in renovations that will add outdoor restrooms for park users and heat and water to its maintenance facility.
Northfield Park District also plans to use the tax revenue to expand its Community Center, adding indoor space for summer camps and youth programming, a new community meeting and flex room and replacing the roofing and aging infrastructure. The expansion is expected to cost the district approximately $2 to $3 million, according to the Park District’s website.
Beyond capital project plans, the referendum will support the district’s ongoing maintenance of its outdoor parks systems, along with renovations to its pickleball and tennis courts, baseball field, and outdoor ice rink.
The passing of the referendum supports the “increasing costs of ongoing maintenance” and also provides the funding necessary to “expand programs, elevate event experiences and acquire land for new parks,” according to the Northfield Park District’s website.
The referendum approval comes just a year shy of its failure to pass on the April 2025 local election ballot. Despite a historic turnout, the question garnered only 49% support from voters.
Also on the ballot this year was the Northbrook Rural Fire Protection District’s referendum proposing a 0.1% property tax increase for improvements to its emergency and rescue crew equipment.
The tax increase adds an additional tax of $30.36 per year on a $100,000 fair market value home. The referendum passed with 61.2% of voters approving the measure, per unofficial results.
The Northbrook Rural Fire Protection District did not respond to a Pioneer Press request for comment.
Northfield and a portion of Northbrook voters also unofficially approved a $23.5 million bond referendum to renovate Middlefork School, one of two elementary schools in Sunset Ridge School District 29.
With all three referendums expected to pass, voters with million dollar homes residing in these districts can expect to pay several hundred dollars more in total property taxes per year.
Residents in Northfield and Northbrook can determine whether they live in these taxing districts by checking their Cook County property tax bills. If so, these tax levies will apply to their homes.
