Only a few taxing issues on Cook Co. ballots in November

Local officials had until 5 p.m. on Thursday to file referendums for the Nov. 4 ballot, said Courtney Greve, a spokesman with the Cook County clerk's office. County officials will check the paperwork today and the list should be final by Monday, Greve said.

Barring late filings, here is the list of local agencies looking for money or input on Nov. 4:

Cook County:

Should the state constitution be amended to allow for the recall of elected officials - including the governor? The House voted in April for an amendment that would let voters recall the governor and other top officials. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's allies in the Senate then blocked it. Senators also killed an effort to ask voters statewide whether they want to recall top elected officials. This nonbinding vote was put on the ballot in the county after proponents collected 900 signatures.

Harper College:

A bond referendum will be placed on the ballot asking residents to authorize $154 million worth of new and improved facilities.

Harper is able to raise the funds without raising its tax rate because it's been aggressively paying off bonds authorized in the $88.8 million referendum used to build the Avante Center. As a result, the college's payments will drop considerably in 2009, and the tax rate also will fall if voters reject the spending plan.

Barrington:

Barrington Area Library District trustees will ask voters about a proposed $34.3 million expansion plan. The addition, at the district's main facility at 505 N. Northwest Hwy., would allow the library to offer more books, CDs and DVDs. The plan also calls for a new, two-story parking deck.

Wheeling:

Wheeling residents will face a referendum related to a 911 surcharge. The village is looking to raise its 75 cents a month surcharge on phone bills to $1.45 to keep a balanced budget related to 911 calls. Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac said that the surcharge was put into place in 1989 and hasn't been raised since then.

Prospect Heights:

The Prospect Heights City Council will ask residents whether they want to be a home-rule community, which would give local government more taxing power. Two referendum questions will be put on the ballot.

No. 1: If the city of Prospect Heights becomes a home-rule city, shall the city council exercise home-rule power to use existing hotel taxes to rebuild city streets?

No. 2: Shall the city of Prospect Heights, located in Cook County, Illinois, become a home-rule unit?

The first question is advisory, but the second one is binding.

Statewide:

One question will be on every Illinois ballot -should the state convene a constitutional convention. The state's constitution requires the question be posed to voters at least once every 20 years to give voters a chance to amend or draft a new constitution.

The last rewrite was in 1970, before that 1870, said Ken Menzel, an election specialist with the state board of elections.