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1. Are my property taxes going up this year?

The Village Board voted to approve the proposed property taxes on November 18, 2021.  The proposed taxes were recommended by the Finance and Administration Committee, which is made up of a group of residents. The average increase for a $300,000 home will be approximately $7.30. This varies for each property depending on the value assigned by the assessor’s office. All meetings are open to the public.

2. Why does the Village need to increase its portion of the property tax levy?

The Village of Lombard must pay inflationary increases, in order to maintain a high level of core services for residents.  These core services include public safety provided by Police and Fire Departments; roads, forestry and infrastructure maintenance from Public Works; building and code enforcement from Community Development, and responsible long-term financial planning from the Finance Department.

3. Why can’t the Village operate within its means like my family?

The financial challenges faced by the Village are associated with maintaining excellent core service levels for residents and business owners, while expenses continue to increase faster than revenues, due to a challenging retail sales environment, decreases in State funding, and State mandates beyond the Village’s control.

Since 2017, the Village has made cumulative budget reductions of over $3.8 million.  The Village eliminated 9 full time and 12 part-time positions which represented $1.2 million in reduced personnel costs and eliminated or reduced funding of various enhanced services and programs.

In 2015, the Village was on the path to having a budget deficit of more than $3 million by 2019. Due to the Village’s ongoing focus on fiscal responsibility, the Village’s 2022 budget is balanced. Moving forward, the Village will continue to face budget challenges head on and will remain focused on providing residents with a balanced budget while maintaining excellent core services.

4. Why can’t the Village use funds raised from the Library tax increase?

It’s important to remember that the Village, the Library, and the Park District are completely separate entities, with separate boards, and separate budgets. Similar to separate businesses, the Village does not control, and does not have access to, the revenues owned by a separate agency.

5. Why are my property taxes so high and where do they go?

While property taxes may be high, it’s important to remember that the Village of Lombard receives less than 8% of the total tax bill, meaning that less than $0.08 ($0.0757 cents) of every dollar paid in property taxes will go to the Village. 

* Please note that this response will be updated with the 2021 Property Tax allocation information in May 2022, when it becomes availabe from DuPage County.

*Chart is based on tax code 6011.  There are 30 tax codes in Lombard and each receives a different property tax bill depending on whether the area is included within a given taxing district’s boundaries.  This tax code was selected as an example only.

As shown in the pie chart, the majority of the Village’s property taxes go toward educational services, which includes Districts 87, 44, and COD 502. The remainder goes toward the Village, the Library, the Lombard Park District, DuPage County (which includes DuPage County, DuPage County Health Department, DuPage County Forest Preserve District, and DuPage Airport Authority), and York Township (which includes York Township and York Township Road). www.villageoflombard.org/townships 

6. What can I do if I feel my property is assessed too high?

Contact the township that assessed the value of your home or property.  York Township has compiled a list of FAQs that may be helpful.

https://yorktwsp.com/faqs/

7. Where can I find more information or provide my feedback?

If you would like more information, please contact finance@villageoflombard.org or call (630)620-5910.

8. You said that increases are required due to unfunded State mandates. What are those mandates?

The Illinois Municipal League has compiled a 2019 report of unfunded State mandates. According to the IML, "Members of the General Assembly consider dozens of proposals each year that would impose new unfunded state mandates on cities, villages and towns in Illinois. These mandates are passed and enacted as a matter of routine. This report compiles a list of mandates that affect municipal governments." 

View Full IML 2019 Compilation of State Mandates on Municipalities