Voters in the south and southwest suburbs weighed in on tax increases, showed support for extending term limits and a host of advisory questions that will require action by local or state officials.
Alsip
Alsip were asked to modify term limits so village officials, including the mayor, village clerk and trustees, can seek re-election if they have already served four consecutive four-year terms, rather than the current limit of three consecutive four-year terms, according to the ballot language.
With four of 14 precincts counted Tuesday night, about 60% voted in favor of extending term limits, according to unofficial vote totals from Cook County.
James Moylan of Alsip said Tuesday he voted against extending term limits. He said he wants term limits to stay at 12 years maximum, or three four-year terms.
Robert Schleder, who has lived in the Alsip area for 30 years, also voted against the referendum. He went to cast his vote at New Hope Church midday.
“I don’t think anyone should be in one spot for too long,” Schleder said.
Crestwood
Crestwood voters are choosing to extend term limits for local officials allowing three four-year terms for village officials, who are not limited to two terms.
With seven of eight precincts counted Tuesday night, 85.75% of voters were in favor of extending the term limits, according to unofficial vote totals from Cook County. Measures to reduce the price of village vehicle stickers for veterans and for seniors were both overwhelming support with more than 90% of the unofficial vote.
Dolton Park District
Dolton residents were faced with a referendum that would increase the limit rate by .25% for the Dolton Park District to aid park services, according to the referendum.
With 14 or 16 precincts counted Tuesday night, 55.55% voted against the limit rate increase, according to unofficial vote totals from Cook County.
Evergreen Park School District 124
Evergreen Park voters faced a $68 million referendum to replace District 124’s Central Middle School to update infrastructure, improve traffic flow and to comply with the American with Disabilities Act.
If the referendum passes, homeowners can expect an increase in property taxes of about $604 for a $300,000 home, according to the district’s website. The tax estimate does not account for homeowner exemptions.
With one of 12 precincts reported, 68.02% voted in favor of the referendum, according to unofficial vote totals from Cook County.
Kyle Murphy, who’s lived in Evergreen Park with his wife and child for the past two years, expressed enthusiastic support for both the District 124 referendum and another $115 million bond issue requested by Moraine Valley Community College.
“We just really want to see funding for education,” said Murphy, who’s a teacher himself.
Markham
In Markham, voters were faced with a proposal that would allow the city to adopt a managerial form of municipal government.
With six of seven precincts reported Tuesday evening, 71.57% of voters were in favor of the proposal, according to unofficial vote totals from Cook County. A proposal to allow the city to operate and maintain parks and recreation services received major support, with more than 92% of the official vote.
Orland Township
An advisory question posed to Orland Township voters by a local law student as if voters of township muncipalities should be able to propose ordinances by petition and enact them by referendum.
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With 57 of 62 precincts reported Tuesday evening, 84.73% voted in favor of the referendum, according to unofficial vote totals from Cook County.
Helen Flaherty, of Orland Park, said Tuesday afternoon she likes the idea of more direct voter participation in local government.
“Either we want it or we don’t want it, let us know,” she said. “I hate this (system of) — here you get this letter in the mail, just pay this and pay that.”
Palos Heights District 128
Palos Heights Elementary District 128 sought a $0.59 limited rate increase to address the district’s $2 million annual operating budget deficit and support needed improvements to its four schools.
With one of seven precincts counted Tuesday night, 54.92% voted in favor of the limit rate increase, according to unofficial vote totals from Cook County.
Christian Bach, who has lived in Palos Heights for eight years, said he voted in favor of the school district’s limit rate increase because he wants to see the schools continue developing.
“I do like this area and having (the referendum) in place would keep the good nature of the school system around here,” Bach said.
Robert Kellam, who has lived in Palos Heights for about a year, said he voted against the school district’s proposed limit rate increase. He said he thinks the schools have enough money and does not want to pay them more.
“We send our five children to a Catholic grammar school,” Kellam said. “We never used the public school system, so to pay more is not needed.”
Palos Heights Fire District
The Palos Heights Fire Protection District asked voters to increase the property tax rate from 9.2% to 9.3%, which would translate to a $30.36 annual increase in property taxes for every $100,000 of fair market value for their property, according to district estimates.
With four of eleven precincts counted Tuesday night, 60.93% of voters were in favor of the limit rate increase, according to unofficial vote totals from Cook County.
[email protected]. Staff writer Olivia Stevens contributed to this article.