Lake Bluff’s proposed 2026 property tax levy would increase the combined Village and library bill by about $94 for the median-value home in staff’s illustration, with taxes collected in 2027. The Village Board is scheduled to consider the preliminary estimate Monday, Nov. 9.
The board's meeting agenda lists the estimated 2026 aggregate property tax levy at $5,788,738. That is $282,000, or 5.12%, above the 2025 extension of $5,506,738.
The increase breaks into two pieces. The Village portion would rise 2.95% to $4,308,600, an increase of $123,414. The Lake Bluff Public Library's share would jump 12% to $1,480,138, an increase of $158,586.
The library's request is the main driver.
Interim Library Director David J. Seleb and Library Board President Alexandra Friedeman submitted the 12% request in an Oct. 21 letter. The Library Board approved it 6-0, with one member absent, at its Oct. 20 meeting. At the Village Finance Committee's Oct. 26 session, members asked the library to present a strategic and financial plan explaining the request. Village President Regis Charlot cited library requests related to staff retention, maintenance, reserves and longer-term building needs, according to the committee's meeting record.
Village Administrator R. Drew Irvin and Finance Director Bettina O'Connell told the Finance Committee that the board has discretion over library levy amounts above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) benchmark. Lake Bluff is a home rule municipality and is not bound by the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), but a 2005 board resolution voluntarily caps aggregate levy growth at PTELL levels.
The Village's own 2.95% increase reflects a 2.7% CPI allowance plus estimated new construction. It includes $1,635,123 for the Police Pension Fund, up $70,001, or 4.47%, over 2025. The pension board approved that figure at its Oct. 6 meeting, according to a letter from pension board President Thomas Vinson.
For a median-value Lake Bluff home at $776,700, the combined Village and library tax bill would rise from $1,723.36 to $1,817.30 under the proposed estimate, according to staff projections. The overall blended tax rate is expected to decline because estimated taxable equalized assessed value (EAV) grew roughly 9.8% to $798,379,623. But a lower rate does not guarantee a lower bill for every homeowner, the staff memo notes. Individual bills depend on each property's change in assessed value and exemptions.
Monday's vote sets a preliminary estimate only. The board can adopt a different final amount. The first reading of the levy ordinance and a public hearing are scheduled for Nov. 23. Final adoption is set for Dec. 14.
Green Bay Road bridge
The board will also vote on a resolution appropriating $724,928 in Village funds as the local match for $2.9 million in federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding for the Green Bay Road bridge rehabilitation over the Union Pacific Railroad. The project spans Green Bay Road from Scranton Avenue to the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest border, according to the Village's construction page, and includes full road reconstruction and replacement of the bridge superstructure.
The total project cost is estimated at $4.9 million, with $2.1 million coming from Village funds. Lake Bluff has requested an additional $1 million in STP funding and expects an answer in spring or early summer of 2027. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is scheduled to bid the project in January 2027, with construction running from March through August 2027. IDOT requires the local-match resolution before bidding can proceed.
Village Engineer Jeff Hansen is expected to review the Village's plan for securing additional project funding at Monday's meeting, according to the board packet.
Oak Avenue parking
The board will take a second-reading roll call vote on an ordinance establishing a four-hour parking limit on Oak Avenue between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. The limit would apply to eight public spaces on the west side and five new spaces on the east side, tied to the mixed-use condominium development at 120 E. Scranton Ave. Two of the project's eight units are occupied, and the five east-side spaces are nearing completion. The board approved first reading unanimously on Oct. 12.
Trustee Hatch honored
The board will vote on a resolution honoring the public service of Trustee Katharine "Kat" Hatch. She moved to Lake Bluff in 2013, was elected Village Clerk in April 2021 and was appointed to fill a trustee vacancy in 2023 before winning election to the seat that April. The resolution text will be read aloud by the Village President at the meeting.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 40 E. Center Ave. Residents can also watch online at lakebluff.org/VirtualMeeting or on public access channel 19.
