A slim majority of residents who responded to a Skokie Park District survey said they would support a $53 million, 20-year bond referendum to develop a new park in Skokie and improve an existing one.
That turned out to be enough to clear the way for district officials to unanimously vote on July 21 in favor of placing the measure, which will increase local property taxes beginning in 2027, on the upcoming Nov. 3 election ballot.
The project hopes to transform a former asphalt site on Oakton Street into a brand new community park labeled Channelside Park South. The Skokie Park District currently offers 45 active parks or facilities, according to its website, though some are smaller neighborhood parks.
If voters say “yes” this November, the referendum will also help fund improvements to Skokie Sports Park and Sports Park East, adding a recreation center with multi-sport courts, increased walking and biking paths and a bridge connecting to both Sports Park and the North Shore Channel Trail.
According to the Skokie Park District Board of Commissioners, 54% of survey respondents said they would either vote “decidedly yes” or “probably yes” to approve the referendum.
Commissioners also held a number of public information sessions in June to detail their plans for the site and allow residents to inquire about how the projects will directly affect their property tax bills – and unsurprisingly, they will.
Residents with a $500,000 fair market value home can expect to see an annual increase of about $183, or $15.25 per month.
The owner of a $1 million home would pay an extra $379 per year, or $31.58 per month in property taxes, according to the district.
Voters can analyze the district’s tax estimator to review what their individual expected property tax increases will be.
The Park District serves approximately 67,000 residents across nearly all of Skokie, in addition to portions of Evanston, Morton Grove and Chicago. It exists as a government entity separate from the Village of Skokie, with its own budget and authority to levy taxes.
Plans for the new Channelside Park South include a renovated multipurpose facility with a patio and pergola, a band shell, stage and event lawn, outdoor fitness equipment and a children’s maze and splash pad.
Sports Park East, an offshoot of Skokie’s Sports Park and one of the most heavily frequented recreation areas, according to Michelle Tuft, executive director for the park district, would see a new recreation center with multi-sport courts, flexible program and rental rooms, golf simulators, patio and garden space and increased parking if the referendum passes.
Commissioners are also considering adding baseball fields as part of the redevelopment plan of Sports Park East, dependent on forthcoming community responses.
Tuft said if the referendum passes, the projects would likely begin in the spring of 2027, with an “optimistic” estimated completion date of 18 to 24 months following that.
District officials said the proposal stems from years of community engagement demonstrating a strong desire for increased walking, biking and jogging paths, additional playgrounds and improved sports facilities.
Skokie, however, is not short of current recreation spaces.
The district’s 45 active parks include playgrounds, soccer fields, ballfields, courts, outdoor shelters and restrooms and a dog park, according to its website.
Skokie resident Sheldon Wernikoff said he’s concerned about the district’s development plan and what it will cost local taxpayers.
“Most voters do not fully understand how a bond referendum is paid for,” said Wernikoff, who has been an outspoken advocate in adding Illinois ballot language to inform voters that marking ‘yes’ to a particular referendum will increase property taxes.
“I am trying to speak with our legislators and insist on clear language on the November bond referendum ballot, so voters understand the true cost of voting “yes,” versus the substantial savings of keeping the status quo,” Wernikoff said.
“I’d like the ballot to state, as is required in Texas, ‘THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE’.”
Noting how many parks already exist in Skokie, Wernikoff added that he believes the land in question could be put to better use by “building more affordable housing in the community.”
“That is something we do not have nearly enough of, and it would be a far more worthy project,” he said.
