These Are the Referendum Questions on Suburban Cook County Voters' Ballots

In addition to voting for their candidates of choice, Cook County residents will have a chance to weigh in on various referendum questions using their ballots on Nov. 6.

While county officials oversee local elections, the questions specific to certain municipalities will only appear on ballots for residents of those areas, except for three county-wide measures.

Those three questions, asked of all Cook County voters, are as follows:

Shall the minimum wage in your municipality match the $13 per hour Cook County minimum wage law for adults over the age of 18 by July 1, 2020, and be indexed to the consumer price index after that?

Shall your municipality match the Cook County earned sick time law which allows for workers to earn up to 40 hours (5 days) of sick time a year to take care of their own health or a family member’s health?

Should the State of Illinois strengthen penalties for the illegal trafficking of firearms and require all gun dealers to be certified by the State?

All three of those questions are solely advisory, meaning no action will automatically be taken, regardless of response. While the results not legally binding, they will provide lawmakers with key insight into the next steps in each of the areas polled.

These Are the Referendum Questions on Chicago Voters' Ballots

To be prepared before heading to your polling place, here's a look at every other proposal appearing on ballots in municipalities across suburban Cook County —

Berwyn Township

• Shall our elected officials take steps to institute a national improved medicare for all health care system, which would be publicly financed but privately delivered; one that covers everyone in the U.S., with comprehensive, high quality care, including free choice of providers and no health care bills?

Elk Grove Township

• Should the Cook County Board of Commissioners reinstate the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Ordinance (also known as the Soda Tax) to fill the 82 million dollar deficit in the County's 2019 operating budget?

Hanover Township

• Should the Illinois General Assembly amend the state constitution to ban the implementation of a statewide one percent (1%) property tax increase?
• Shall Hanover Township, Cook County, Illinois be authorized to levy a new tax for the sole purpose of providing service programs for youths, as provided for under Article 215 of the Illinois Township Code, and have an additional tax of 0.05% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein extended for such purposes?" (1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $8,581,590.02, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $9,588,818.90. (2) For the 2018 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single-family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $14.81.
• Should Cook County reinstate the Sweetened Beverage Tax (the "Soda Tax") to fill the eighty-two million-dollar ($82,000,000.00) deficit in the 2019 operating budget?

Lemont Township

• Should the State of Illinois increase the residential and senior homeowner exemptions to help reduce property taxes for the residents of Lemont Township?
• Should Cook County reinstate the Sweetened Beverage Tax ("Soda Tax") to fill the 82-million-dollar deficit in the 2019 operating budget?

Lyons Township

• Shall our elected officials support measures that will acknowledge the serious threat posed by climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent, and effective way?

Maine Township

• Should Cook County reject reinstating the sweetened beverage tax (soda tax)?

Oak Park Township

• Shall all firearms be required by law to be stored in a safe and secure manner that prevents access by unauthorized persons, when such firearms are not under the direct personal control of the owner?

Palatine Township

• Should the State of Illinois increase the residential and senior homeowner exemptions to help reduce property taxes for the residents of Palatine Township?
• Should Cook County reinstate the Sweetened Beverage Tax ("Soda Tax") to fill the 82-million-dollar deficit in the 2019 operating budget?

Palos Township

• Shall the County of Cook reinstate the Sweetened Beverage Tax?
• Shall the Illinois General Assembly pass legislation expanding the Homeowners, Senior Citizen and Veterans Property Tax Exemptions to provide greater property tax relief?

Proviso Township

• Should the State of Illinois increase the residential and senior homeowner's exemptions to help reduce property taxes for the residents of Proviso Township?

Schaumburg Township

• Should the Cook County Board of Commissioners reinstate the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Ordinance (also known as the Soda Tax) to fill an 82 million dollar county budget deficit?

Village of Barrington

• Should the Village of Barrington consider the use of renewable energy sources in any future projects if that does not increase the cost of the project by more than ten percent (10%)?
• Should the Village of Barrington provide a preference to Village residents at specific locations in the Village's commuter parking lots which are used by residents of other communities?
• Shall the Corporate Authorities of the Village of Barrington be authorized to impose a Municipal Retailer's Occupation Tax and a Municipal Service Occupation Tax (which together are commonly referred to as "municipal sales tax") within the Village in accordance with 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.1, 5/8-11-1.2, 5/8-11-1.3, and 5/8-11-1.4, at a rate of 1% for expenditures on public infrastructure and/or for property tax relief?" 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.2 defines "public infrastructure" as: municipal roads and streets, access roads, bridges, and sidewalks; waste disposal systems; and water and sewer line extensions, water distribution and purification facilities, storm water drainage and retention facilities, and sewage treatment facilities.

Village of Bedford Park

• Shall the Village of Bedford Park, Cook County, Illinois, consider the merger and consolidation of the Bedford Park District, Cook County, Illinois through the adoption of an Intergovernmental Agreement?

Village of Broadview

• In an effort to keep the Village of Broadview clean, should the Village increase the current fines for littering in the Village of Broadview from the current minimum fine of $50.00 and maximum fine of $750.00 to a minimum fine of $150.00 and a maximum fine of $750.00?
• Should the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in the State of Illinois be increased from eighteen (18) years of age to twenty-one (21) years of age?

Town of Cicero

• In an effort to Keep Cicero Clean, should the Town of Cicero increase the current fines for littering in the Town of Cicero from the current minimum fine of $50.00 and maximum fine of $250.00 to a minimum fine of $200.00 and a maximum fine of $750.00?
• In the event that the recreational use and sale of marijuana is legalized in the State of Illinois, should the Town of Cicero appropriate tax or other revenues it received from the sales of marijuana to increase funding for Cicero public schools?
• Should the Town of Cicero request that the Illinois State Legislature, known as the General Assembly, create a homeowner's property tax exemption for longtime homeowners who have resided in their home for ten years or more, with no household income maximum?

City of Chicago Heights

• Should the City of Chicago Heights, Cook County, IL consider the development of a city owned solar powered energy generation facility to sell electrical power to regional energy users?
• In the event that the recreational use and sale of marijuana is legalized in the State of Illinois, should the City of Chicago Heights appropriate tax or other revenues it received from the sales of marijuana to increase funding for Chicago Heights public schools?
• Should the City of Chicago Heights, Cook County, Illinois consider the establishment of an optional household recycling program wherein recycling totes would be provided to participating city households at a cost to the participating household to be negotiated by the City as part of its Garbage Collection Agreement?

Village of Dolton

• Shall candidates for president, clerk, and trustee of the Village of Dolton be elected at nonpartisan general elections, with no primary elections, beginning with the consolidated general election to be held on April 2, 2019?
• Shall the terms of office of Village Trustee for the Village of Dolton be limited such that no person may serve more than 2 consecutive 4 year terms?
• Shall the Board of Trustees of the Village of Dolton be comprised of 4 members rather than 6, with all 4 trustees to be elected beginning with the consolidated general election held on April 2, 2019?

City of Evanston

• Shall the City of Evanston protect from demolition and preserve the landmark Harley Clarke buildings and gardens next to Lighthouse Beach, for use and access as public property, consistent with the Evanston Lakefront Master Plan, at minimal or no cost to Evanston taxpayers?
• Shall the City of Evanston impose a real estate transfer tax increase of forty percent (40%) to establish a new transfer tax rate of seven dollars ($7.00) for every one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of value, or fraction thereof, for sales from $1,500,000.01 up to $5,000,000.00 AND a real estate transfer tax increase of eighty percent (80%) to establish a new transfer tax rate of nine dollars ($9.00) for every one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of value, or fraction thereof, for sales from $5,000,000.01 or more to be paid by the seller of the real estate transferred?" The current rate of the real estate transfer tax is five dollars ($5.00) for every one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of value, or fraction thereof, and the revenue is used for the City's general fund. The revenue from the increase is to be used for the funding of the City's General Operating Fund, with the increase being used for improvements related to public safety, public health, parks and recreation services, street improvements, and other necessary City services.

Village of Flossmoor

• Should the Village of Flossmoor consider permitting a Class B truck or van (8,000 pounds or less) or a vehicle with specialty plates of a similar size as a Class B vehicle to park on a residential driveway so long as the vehicle is not used for commercial purposes?

Village of Forest Park

• Shall video gaming be prohibited in the Village of Forest Park, Illinois?

Village of Hazel Crest

• Should Cook County work to create and maintain a tax incentive program that results in lower property tax bills and reduces the tax burden on local property owners and taxpayers?

Village of Lemont

• Shall the Village of Lemont become a home rule unit of government pursuant to Article VII, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Illinois?

Village of Melrose Park

• Shall all firearms be required by law to be stored in a safe and secure manner that prevents access by unauthorized persons, when such firearms are not under the control of the owner?
• In an effort to keep the Village of Melrose Park clean, should the Village of Melrose Park increase the current fines for littering on public or private property in the Village of Melrose Park from the current minimum fine of $300.00 and maximum fine of $500.00 to a minimum fine of $400.00 and a maximum fine of $750.00?
• Given the increased use of vaping products by persons under the age of eighteen (18) years old, should the Village of Melrose Park prohibit the sale of compact vaping devices within the Village of Melrose Park limits?

Village of Midlothian

• Should Cook County work to create and maintain a tax incentive program that results in lower property tax bills and reduces the tax burden on local property owners and taxpayers?

Village of Niles

• Shall the Village of Niles modernize the Niles Historical Society and Cultural Center located at 8970 N. Milwaukee?
• Shall the procedure for placing Referenda on the Village of Niles ballot, follow Illinois Election Law, except that if the Niles Mayor and Board of Trustees initiates or submits more than one referendum for any Ballot, additional referendums initiated or submitted by the Niles Mayor and Board of Trustees for that same Ballot must not be initiated or submitted more than 180 days prior to the election these Referenda are to be on the Ballot, effective March 1, 2019?
• Shall the Village of Niles Community Development Department continue to work with local school districts to enhance their ratings?

City of Northlake

• Shall the office of City Treasurer, which has been vacant since January 18, 2018 be abolished and the duties of the City Treasurer assumed by the Finance Director?

Village of Oak Park

• Shall the merger and consolidation of Oak Park taxing bodies be considered, including, but not limited to, the Village of Oak Park, Oak Park Township, the Oak Park Public Library and the Park District of Oak Park, to determine if there would be efficiencies, the elimination of redundancies and/or a property tax reduction for the residents of Oak Park?

City of Palos Heights

• Shall Video Gaming be permitted within the corporate limits of the City of Palos Heights?

City of Prospect Heights

• Shall the City of Prospect Heights, Illinois become a home rule unit?

Village of Richton Park

• Should Cook County work to create and maintain a tax incentive program that results in lower property tax bills and reduces the tax burden on local property owners and taxpayers?

Village of Thornton

• Should Cook County work to create and maintain a tax incentive program that results in lower property tax bills and reduces the tax burden on local property owners and taxpayers?

High School District 86

• Shall the Board of Education of Hinsdale Township High School District Number 86, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, improve the sites of, renovate, alter, repair and equip and replace portions of the Hinsdale Central High School Campus and Hinsdale South High School Campus, including, but not limited to, installing safety and security systems and equipment; making facilities accessible to persons with disabilities; repairing 60-year-old infrastructure; renovating all learning spaces, including classrooms, libraries, and science labs; adding classrooms and facilities for music students and pre-engineering students; expanding and improving the spaces where students receive academic, social, and health support services; and replacing the swimming pool at each high school, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $166,426,514 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

School District 21

• Shall the Board of Education of Wheeling Community Consolidated School District Number 21, Cook County, Illinois, alter, repair, renovate and equip school buildings and improve the sites thereof, including to provide for secure entrances and other security systems, air conditioning, renovation of instructional spaces to enhance learning and accommodate full day kindergarten, energy efficiency, infrastructure and other capital improvements, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $69,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

Unit School District 205

• Shall the Board of Education of Elmhurst Community Unit School District Number 205, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, build and equip two school buildings to replace the Field and Lincoln Elementary School Buildings; build and equip additions to and alter, repair and equip existing buildings, including but not limited to improving security, providing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) facilities, improving energy-efficiency and technology infrastructure and adding classrooms for full-day kindergarten; improve sites; acquire, improve and equip a building for educational purposes and acquire the site thereof and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $168,500,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

College District 512

• Shall the Board of Trustees of William Rainey Harper Community College District No. 512, Counties of Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry and State of Illinois, acquire real property, build and equip new buildings, build and equip additions to and alter, equip, repair and renovate existing buildings of the District and issue the bonds of said Community College to an amount not to exceed $180,000,000 for said purposes?

High School District 207

• Shall the Board of Education of Maine Township High School District Number 207, Cook County, Illinois, improve the sites of, build and equip additions to and alter, repair and equip existing buildings, including, without limitation, constructing security improvements, increasing accessibility to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, replacing electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, renovating classrooms and labs, improving the Library Media Center and renovating special education spaces, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $195,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

School District 155

• Shall the Board of Education of Calumet City School District Number 155, Cook County, Illinois, be authorized to issue bonds in the amount of $23,000,000 for the purpose of paying claims against said School District as provided for by Article 19 (Sections 19-8 to 19-14, inclusive) of the School Code?

Bedford Park Park District

• Shall the District of Bedford Park, Cook County, Illinois, consider the merger and consolidation of the Village of Bedford Park, Cook County, Illinois through the adoption of an Intergovernmental Agreement?

Hanover Park Park District

• Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Hanover Park Park District, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.25% above the limiting rate for levy year 2017 in DuPage County, Illinois and by an additional amount of 0.2505% above the limiting rate for levy year 2017 in Cook County, Illinois, for any purpose of said District and be equal to 0.6115% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2018?" 1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $1,965,660, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $3,326,941. 2) For the 2018 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $83.33 in DuPage County, Illinois and $74.22 in Cook County, Illinois. 3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2018 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

Oak Brook Park District

• Shall the Oak Brook Park District, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, purchase and improve the approximately 34 acres commonly known as the "McDonald's Soccer Fields," located north of said Park District's Central Park and between Kingery Highway (Route 83), Kensington Road and Jorie Boulevard, and issue its bonds to the amount of $17,900,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

South Barrington Park District

• Shall the South Barrington Park District, Cook County, Illinois, sell the following described real estate: that approximately 34-acre parcel of real property consisting of all of the land, commonly known as "Area N," located at the southeast corner of Bartlett Road and Route 59 in South Barrington, Illinois?

Tinley Park Park District

• Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Tinley Park Park District, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.0713% above the limiting rate for levy year 2017 for park purposes and be equal to 0.3479% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2018?" 1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $3,802,248.48, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $4,782,248.48. 2) For the 2018 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $21.12 in Cook County, Illinois, and $23.76 in Will County, Illinois. 3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2018 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

William Leonard Library District

• Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the William Leonard Public Library District, Cook County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.138% above the limiting rate for any purpose of said Library District for levy year 2017 and be equal to 0.829% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2018?" 1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $298,500, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $357,825. 2) For the 2018 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $41. 3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2018 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

Elk Grove Rural Fire Prot. District

• Shall the number of trustees of the Elk Grove Rural Fire Protection District be decreased from 7 to 5 members?

North Palos Fire Protection District

• Shall the extension limitation under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the North Palos Fire Protection District, Cook County, Illinois be increased from the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index over the prior levy year to 20% for levy year 2018?" For the 2018 levy year, the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single-family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $52.20.

Riverside Lawn Fire Protection District

• Shall the Riverside Lawn Fire Protection District be dissolved and discontinued?

Crawford Countryside Sanitary District

• Shall the Crawford Countryside Sanitary District be dissolved?

To see the questions on Chicago voters' ballots, click here, and for the questions on suburban county voters' ballots, click here.