A look at some of the non-presidential candidates and issues that will be Central Illinois ballots on Feb. 5:
What: Unit 5 referendums on construction bond and education fund tax increases.
The questions: 1. "Shall the Board of Education of Normal Community Unit School District Number 5, McLean and Woodford Counties, build and equip a new junior high school building and two new elementary school buildings, build and equip an addition to, improve the site of and alter, repair and equip the Sugar Creek Elementary School building, alter repair and equip the Carlock, Hudson, Towanda, Brigham, Fairview, Glenn, Oakdale and Colene Hoose Elementary School buildings, alter, repair and equip the other school buildings of the district to provide security and technology improvements and issue bonds to the amount of $96.7 million for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?"
2. "Shall the maximum annual tax rate for educational purposes for Normal Community Unit School District Number 5, McLean and Woodford Counties, be increased and established at 2.72 percent upon all the taxable property of the school district at the value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, instead of 2.62 percent the present maximum rate otherwise applicable to the next taxes to be extended for said purpose?"
What it means to you: Property taxes would increase. The homeowner of a $200,000 house would pay $170 more in property taxes. The Unit 5 tax bill on such a house is $2,742 today.
If it fails: The school district would try again in a future referendum. In the meantime, portable classrooms likely would be added, class sizes would increase and other options would be explored to address overcrowding.
When it would take effect: Taxpayers would see the first tax increase on July 2009 bills. Renovations of the eight elementary schools would begin this summer. New elementary schools and the expansion of Sugar Creek Elementary School would be completed in fall 2010. The new middle school would be open in fall 2111.
Related stories:
• Voters' views, loyalties mixed on Unit 5 referendums
• District officials cautious about electioneering ahead of Feb. 5 vote
• Pantagraph Editorial Board endorsement
• Readers weigh in on referendums in letters to the editor
What: The decision by U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, R-Morris, to not to seek re-election after 14 years in Congress triggered a Republican primary race to replace him.
The district: The 11th Congressional District stretches from Chicago's south suburbs to the western parts of Bloomington, Normal and McLean County.
The candidates: GOP voters will have three to choose from on Feb. 5: former White House official Jimmy Lee, airline pilot Terry Heenan, and Tim Baldermann, who is both mayor of New Lenox and police chief in nearby Chicago Ridge. Democrat candidate Debbie Halvorson of Crete is unopposed, as is Green Party candidate Jason Wallace of Normal.
The issues: Click on each issue to read where the three GOP candidates stand on the troubled economy, the Iraq war, and immigration reform.
Related stories:
• Baldermann, Lee debate for McLean County Republicans
• Ex-House speaker Hastert endorses Baldermann for 11th District
• Pantagraph Editorial Board endorsement
What: The retirement of U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, without an obvious successor has drawn out three Republican candidates in the primary. One of the first Democrats to declare interest in the race, Dick Versace, dropped out; the party has yet to field another candidate.
The district: The district centers around Peoria and includes northern parts of Decatur and Macon County, all of Logan County and parts of Tazewell and Woodford counties.
The GOP candidates: Jim McConoughey of Dunlap is a lifelong businessman who works in economic development in the Peoria area; John Morris of Peoria is a former Peoria City Council member; and Aaron Schock is a state representative.
The issues: Click on each issue to read where the three candidates stand on the troubled economy, the Iraq war, and immigration reform.
Related stories:
• Who are the 18th District candidates?
• Ex-House speaker Hastert backs Schock for LaHood's seat
The question: "Shall the Bloomington Township Fire Protection District levy a special tax at a rate not to exceed 0.30 percent of the value of all taxable property within the district as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue for the purpose of providing ambulance service?"
What it means to you: Up to $200 in additional taxes annually for a $200,000 home to provide an ambulance service with part-time paid staff based within the township.
If it fails: The ambulance service won't have funding to continue transporting residents to hospitals, and township residents would have to rely on surrounding communities for emergency help. Fire department trustees and the fire chief say this would increase call times and provide less reliable service.
Related stories:
• Township officials say plenty at stake in ambulance tax vote
• Hudson, McLean ambulance services also on Feb. 5 ballots
The question: "Shall the Randolph Township Fire Protection District levy a special tax at a rate not to exceed 0.30 percent of the value of all taxable property within the district as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue for the purpose of providing ambulance service?"
What it means to you: About $150 in additional taxes for the owner of a $150,000 home.
If it fails: Daytime ambulance service would cease, eventually followed by the dissolution of all local ambulance service.
When it would take effect: The tax would be assessed beginning for the tax year of 2008, payable in 2009.
Related stories:
• Future of Heyworth emergency service in voters' hands
The question: "Are you in favor of the United States Environmental Protection Agency approving Clinton Landfill, Inc.'s application to site a chemical waste landfill in DeWitt County?"
What it means to you: The county would benefit financially if the permit is approved. County officials contend that if it fails, other revenue streams may be investigated in future years.
If it fails: The County Board may revisit their support of a resolution in support of the permit.
When it would take effect: The EPA will make the final decision. That decision is estimated to be two or three years away.
Related stories:
• Disposal firm on the defensive ahead of Feb. 5 landfill vote
• Both sides try to educate voters about landfill issue's alphabet soup
• State's attorney, circuit clerk races also draw interest in DeWitt County
The question: "Should Cornell High School District Unit 70 and Flanagan School District Unit 4 merge to create a new 'hybrid' district?"
What it means to you: Residents of Cornell would see an increase in the tax rate from $1.73 to $1.94, which was the rate in 2005 and was previously approved for the reorganization. There will be $65 in additional taxes for a home estimated at $100,000.
If it fails: Cornell District 70 will have to look at alternative schools for reorganization. Cornell students may have to leave the Flanagan School District in order for this to happen, and probably slip further into debt.
When it would take effect: July 1, 2008
Related stories:
• Flanagan schools proposing state's first 'hybrid' district
• Trust remains unresolved issue in looming school merger vote
• Little at stake in most McLean County races on Feb. 5
• After 100 years dry, township seeking right to sell alcohol
What: Rooks Creek, Waldo and Pike Township assessment district referendum
The question: Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Rooks Creek-Waldo-Pike-Multi Township Assessment District be increased by an additional amount equal to .03345 percent above the limiting rate for levy year 2006 and be equal to .05733 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010?
What it means to you: Residents of these townships would see an increase in their property tax of $11 for a home having a fair market value of $100,000.
If it fails: The multi-township will not have enough funds to pay the salary of the township assessor and will have to seek alternatives.
When it would take effect: Immediately.
Related stories:
• Livingston referendum will up assessor's salary, pay for shed
• Livingston County election group opts for time with citizens
What: Pleasant Ridge Township road district bond referendum.
The question: Shall bonds for road purposes be issued by the Town of Pleasant Ridge Road District, Livingston County, in the amount of $225,000 for the construction of a new township shed?
What it means to you: Real estate property taxes would be raised by 36 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation.
If it fails: The township would continue to have its current shed, which has numerous problems.
When it would take effect: Late summer of 2008
• State's attorney, Woodford Board races peaking interest on ballot
• County board races and three referendums to be decided in LaSalle Co.
• State's attorney, two county board seats contested on Logan County ballots
• Multicounty referenda, circuit clerk, county board to be decided in Ford Co.
Posted in News on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:00 am Updated: 10:56 am. | Tags: Political, Illinois, Bloomington
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