Oak Lawn Library Patrons Push Back On Zero Tax Levy

OAK LAWN, IL—Residents, staff and former staff piled into a meeting room and stood against the walls Monday pushing back at the Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees on a proposed zero tax levy that would have frozen the proposed operating budget at the current level for 2027.

Last month, three budget options were presented at the library board meeting that included tax levy increases of 2.5%, 3.5% and 4.5% percent. While the 4.5% levy would keep the library from cutting materials and programming, the lower increments would have cut back on spending for materials and program directly impacting the public.

A motion was made by library board trustee Karrie Mallo during October meeting to slash library funding with a zero percent tax levy. Mallo is the sister-in-law of Oak Lawn Village Trustee Paul Mallo, and the Village of Oak Lawn’s recently hired community development director.

Although the library and village are separate taxiing bodies, the Village of Oak Lawn has the authority to make recommendations and comments on the annual library budget.

Mallo’s motion for a zero percent increase in October failed on a tie vote, and library trustees tabled the vote on the tax levy until Monday’s special budget meeting.

The library’s union employees distributed fliers urging residents’ attendance at the special budget meeting on Monday, claiming Mallo voted for a zero percent budget increase and suggesting cutting library staff.

“We need a healthy library budget, not cuts to staff, services or resources,” members of AFSCME Local 736 stated.

One after another, audience members got up during public comments and highlighted programs, collections, technology, study space, and staff support for children, families, adults, and seniors.

Many homeowners in attendance stated that Oak Lawn library’s portion of the tax bill amounted between $265 to $300 annually, and would have minimal impact.

“The portion of my tax bill that I pay every day, I have more change in my pocket than that because it's 72-cents,” resident Bill Beaulieu said. “If it was doubled, it’s be a whole $1.44. What would I do with a $1.44? I could go to McDonald’s, get some greasy fries. I could get a few Munchkins at Dunkin’ Donuts.”

Gail Harris, a former library employee and resident, said that for many older residents the Oak Lawn library was their only means of socialization.

“If the budget is cut, they will no longer have access to the activities and events that propel them to live in society in which they otherwise not be able to fully thrive,” Harris said. I have been on both sides of the aisle, and understand how crucial it is for a library to be fully staffed.”

A woman who gave her name as Lydia called Mallo out on her answers on her 2023 candidate questionnaire on Oak Lawn Patch, in which Mallo stated she hoped to continue expanding the library from enhancing programs to ensuring proper funding.

“These board members campaigned on expanding and enhancing our library, not on keeping the status quo, and certainly not on cutting staff,” Lydia said.

Later, Mallo said she didn’t know where the rumor statred that there would be staff cuts, and was unaware of any statement that was made.

“Part of our job as a trustee is to also remove ourselves emotionally and make sure that we are looking at things as a whole,” Mallo said. “So there are questions that have to be asked, and there are hard questions for all of us, for the staff, for the board, for the director. It's not an easy task. But to just pass things to pass them because well that's what's on the table is not fiscally responsible or smart."

At the end of the public comments, the library board of trustees appeared to have read the room.

Library director Carol Williams was asked if she received a proposed labor contract from the library union members. She said she and union representatives were scheduled to meet next week, but had not yet received a proposal.

Trustee Joe Skibinski proposed a 3.5% tax levy, later amended by Trustee Kim Brightmore to 4.5%.

Before a vote was taken, Skibinski warned the library union members that the library’s 2027 budget was currently showing a 5.9% increase in personnel expenses.

“If that number is exceeded in union negotiations, this is all for naught. We will still have cuts. We will have reductions in programs, and people will get laid off.,” Skibinski said. “ The union has to honor our budget and make sure that they care about as much about you, the taxpayer, as they do about this library. Talk is cheap. Can they honor our number in the budget so we don't have to go back and forth at the table? That's the fear that we have.”

The Oak Lawn library board of trustees voted 5-1 to pass the 2027 operating budget with a 4.5% tax levy increase.