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CITY OF WEST CHICAGO

FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE:

Announcing and approving the Tax
Levy estimate

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 5A
COMMITTEE DATE: November 2, 2026

COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: November 2, 2026


PREPARED BY: Katrina Hanna, Finance Director

APPROVED BY:

SIGNATURE__________________________

SIGNATURE__________________________


The property tax levy is the request by the City to DuPage County for property taxes to be assessed against
taxable property located within the corporate boundaries of the City.  The City is required to comply with the Truth
in Taxation legislation when submitting the levy to the county, this Statute requires:
•
Announcing and approving the Tax Levy estimate at least 20 days in advance of the adoption of the Levy
Ordinance; and
•
Noticing and holding a public hearing on the levy if the levy (excluding debt service) is estimated to increase
over the amount extended in the prior year by more than 5%.  The form of the notice of public hearing is
stipulated by the Truth in Taxation Statute and prohibits the inclusion of any information in the Notice that is
not required by the Statute

Residents of the City who own a home will see the portion of the property taxes they pay to the City increase by an
estimated $30.00 per year, based on an example property valued at $375,000.
No public hearing is required for the 2026 property tax levy, as the proposed increases for each applicable levy, as
well as the aggregate levy, are under 5%
•
Corporate Levy increase - 4.9%
It is important to note that the new construction property taxes will typically not impact current taxpayers. New
construction adds taxable value to the City’s tax base and can generate additional revenue without placing the
entire burden on existing properties. The proposed Corporate Levy increase will impact current taxpayers.
•
SSA # 2 increase - 4.9%
Additionally, the County automatically levies annual debt service on General Obligation (GO) bonds. The City will
be paying the debt service on the 2026 bonds issued in March with home rule sales tax and in 2027 will be abating
(cancelling) the entire amount so that it is not levied as an additional line item on the tax bill.
Comparison of the 2026 Proposed Levy and the 2025 Extended Levy
2026
2025
Estimated
Levy Extension
Levy
% Change
Corporate
5,176,271.27
$
5,429,909
$
4.9%
Special Service Areas
SSA #2
13,423.42

14,081

4.9%

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CITY OF WEST CHICAGO
Because of the time required between announcing the levy estimate and adopting the levy, the property tax levy
and abatement for GO bonds will be on the December 7th City Council meeting agenda for approval.
ACTIONS PROPOSED:

Recommendation of the $5,429,909 Corporate and $14,081 SSA #2 tax levy estimate to the City Council for
approval, prior to adoption on December 7, 2026.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: