Prospect Heights Voters Asked to Approve $21.5M Road Bond

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Voters in Prospect Heights, Illinois will decide on a $21.5 million road bond measure in the upcoming March 17 primary election. The bond would replace an expiring 2010 bond and provide funding to improve and maintain the city's streets, including rebuilding and resurfacing roads, bridge and intersection work, curbs and sidewalks, and purchasing vehicles and equipment.

Why it matters

Prospect Heights does not have 'home rule' powers, so the city must get voter approval for major tax increases like this bond measure. Passing the bond would allow the city to continue its street repair and maintenance program without raising taxes, while rejecting it could lead to more potholes and higher future repair costs.

The details

The proposed 20-year, $21.5 million road bond would essentially replace a previous $15 million bond approved by voters in 2010. That initial bond is set to be paid off by the end of 2026. If the new bond is approved, property owners would continue paying the current 6.5% tax rate, or less than $500 per year for a $450,000 home. Rejecting the bond would lower taxes but result in fewer street repairs each year, potentially forcing more costly road rebuilds in the future.

• The $15 million bond approved in 2010 will be paid off by December 31, 2026.
• Voters will decide on the new $21.5 million road bond in the March 17, 2026 primary election.

What’s next

If approved by voters, the city would begin issuing the new 20-year, $21.5 million in road bonds to fund street repairs and maintenance.