The Skokie Park District is asking voters to approve a 20-year, $53 million bond referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. While upgrading parks sounds appealing, this proposal is a property tax burden that many Skokie property owners cannot afford. We already have 45 parks and 18 recreational facilities; we don’t need this luxury project.
Here is why you should vote ‘No’:
1. Guaranteed Property Tax Hikes: This is a 20-year commitment. For a home valued at $400,000, taxpayers will pay an additional $144 annually—totaling nearly $3,000 over the bond’s life. For a $600,000 home, that burden exceeds $4,400.
2. Impact on Seniors and Renters: Cook County property taxes are already a significant strain. This hike threatens seniors on fixed incomes and will likely increase rents, as landlords will pass commercial tax costs to tenants.
3. Compounding Tax Burdens: This projection ignores other inevitable cost increases, such as mandatory village infrastructure projects and school district levies. We cannot prioritize a $53 million luxury project over non-negotiable obligations.
4. Wants vs. Needs: With existing facilities already highly rated, this expansion is a ‘nice-to-have,’ not a necessity. In uncertain economic times, the Park District should practice fiscal restraint.
A ‘yes’ vote locks your household into a 20-year financial obligation. Protect our wallets and keep our community affordable by voting ‘no’ on the Park District bond referendum this November.
Sheldon Wernikoff
Skokie
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