November referendum questions will pit needs against economy

Taxing bodies asking voters to fork out more cash in several Kane County communities this November said they are well aware of the tough economic times residents face. While some have scaled back their tax increase requests in light of that fact, others hope residents agree with them about a need additional dollars.

Sugar Grove

With two tax-increase questions on the ballot, Sugar Grove residents will see the double-whammy when they head to the polls Nov. 4,

The Sugar Grove Public Library is asking residents for a hike doubling its tax rate to about 20 cents per $100 of equalized assessed property value. The request is less than what the library sought in February when voters for a sixth time shot down a request for more money to pay for the day-to-day operations.

Sugar Grove Public Library Director Beverly Holmes Hughes said the referendum is the last chance residents have to provide enough staff, hours and programs to do justice for a new, $8 million facility opening next year.

The Sugar Grove Fire Protection District is seeking money to build another firehouse and add more firefighters.

The proposed increase would fund construction of a fire station in the southeast portion of town, officials said. To help cut response times firefighters currently are working out of an Oswego fire station for calls in that part of the community.

Batavia

The Batavia Park District wants permission to borrow $36 million to build a new community recreation center and revamp Harold Hall Quarry Beach.

The facility would include an indoor pool with water slides and swimming lanes for competition. There will also be a weight room, fitness area, gymnasium and community meeting spaces. Private locker areas and showers will also be part of the community center. The beach would see a $1 million facelift.

The impact to the owner of a home with a $250,000 market value would be about $190 more a year in property taxes to the park district on top of the current bill.

Aurora Township

Township residents in unincorporated Aurora will be asked to approve a .02 percent tax increase to allow for the creation of a mosquito abatement district.

Campton Hills

Residents of one of the newest communities in Kane County will vote on a referendum that will determine if it's also one of the shortest-lived.

Campton Hills residents will decide whether the village should be dissolved just one year after its incorporation. It's existence has been wrought with legal challenges by opponents who believe the municipality adds a layer of taxation and little else.

A question for all:

Voters across Illinois will be asked whether the state should convene a constitutional convention, or, as it's been nicknamed by Springfield insiders, a con-con.

The convention, if approved, would allow voters to amend the state constitution or draft a new one.

State law requires voters be asked the question at least once every 20 years. They passed in 1988.

If voters decide to convene, they would then be asked elect two delegates from each of the state's 58 Senate districts. Any citizen may run for the delegate post and any recommendations of those delegates to the state's constitution would be voted on again by the general population.

• Daily Herald Staff Writer Jake Griffin contributed to this report.