OK, you’ve taken a look at what candidates are on the Nov. 8 ballot. You’re about ready to vote and — BANG! — there’s a referendum question in front of you, and you have no idea what it’s about.

Don’t let that happen to you, Kane County voter.

According to the Kane County Clerk’s Office election web page, four referendums will appear on Nov. 8 ballots in all or various parts of Kane County:

• A statewide amendment to the 1970 Illinois Constitution.
• A $22 million School District 301 building-bond referendum.
• A proposition to up the tax rate in the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire District.
• A proposition to increase the limiting rate in the Fox River Valley Public Library District.

Here’s some more information on each:

Proposed Amendment to the 1970 Illinois Constitution

The proposed amendment adds a new section to the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. The proposed amendment provides that:

“No moneys derived from taxes, fees, excises or license taxes, relating to registration, titles, operation or use of vehicles or public highways, roads, streets, bridges, mass transit, intercity passenger rail, ports or airports, or motor fuels, including bond proceeds, shall be expended for other than costs of administering laws related to vehicles and transportation, costs for construction, reconstruction, maintenance, repair and betterment of public roadways, roads, streets, bridges, mass transit, intercity passenger rail, ports, airports, or other forms of transportation, and other statutory highway purposes, including the state or local share to match federal aid highway funds. You are asked to decide whether the proposed amendment should become part of the Illinois Constitution.”

• View Resolution
• Full Text of the Amendment

This proposition is what is sometimes called a “lockbox amendment.”

In plain English, a “yes” is a vote in favor of blocking lawmakers from using transportation funds for anything other than their stated purpose. A “no” is a vote in favor of allowing lawmakers to use transportation funds for other purposes, including balancing the state budget.

Proposition to Issue $22,000,000 School Building Bonds

“Shall the Board of Education of Central Community Unit School District Number 301, Kane and DeKalb Counties, Illinois, build and equip classroom and field house additions to and alter, repair and equip the Central High School Building, improve the site thereof and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $22,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”

• View Resolution
• Referendum Information on the School District 301 Website

Obviously, this proposition is only for residents who live within the boundaries of School District 301. A “yes” vote would allow the district to complete the buildout of Central High School with the addition of 12 classrooms and a field house.

Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District Proposition to Create a New Tax Rate for Emergency and Rescue Fund Purposes

“Shall the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District, Kane and McHenry Counties, Illinois, be authorized to levy a new tax for emergency and rescue crews and equipment purposes and have an additional tax of .10% 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 $8,861,489, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $9,758,419.

(2) For the 2016 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 $33.33.

• View Resolution

Proposition to Increase the Limiting Rate of the Fox River Valley Public Library District

“Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Fox River Valley Public Library District, Kane County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.21000% above the limiting rate for any purpose of said Library District for levy year 2015 and be equal to 0.41949% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2016?”

(1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $3,219,526, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $6,466,889.

(2) For the 2016 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 $70.

(3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2016 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).

• View Resolution
• Library website page

According to the Library District’s referendum information page, proceeds from a voter-approved referendum would be used for improvements to the existing Dundee library, construction of a new, full-service library on Randall Road and maintenance and operation of both libraries. The referendum is asking voters to approve increasing the tax rate for library services by 21 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

SOURCE: Kane County Clerk’s Office website

Read More

• Kane County Voter Information Guide
• 4 Deadlines You Should Keep in Mind for Nov. 8 Elections
• Clerk’s Office Begins Promotional Campaign for Early Voting in November Election
• County Clerk Strongly Recommends Voting Early in November Election
• Help Wanted! County Clerk’s Office Seeks Election Judges for Nov. 8 Polling Places
• ‘The Candidate Shortage Is Worse Than Ever’ — Kane County Clerk Publishes 2017 Candidates Guide
• Candidate Sign-Up Is Under Way for 2017 Local Elections
• Quick Quiz: Who’s on the Nov. 8 Ballot in Kane County, IL? (If You Don’t Know, Click Here)