Dist. 128 Parent Supports Referendum For Schools On Nov. 3 Ballot

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL—A community member recently shared figures comparing Palos Heights property taxes with state and national averages. While those figures deserve consideration, they don't tell the whole story.

I'm a lifelong community member, parent, and local business owner. When my wife and I decided where to raise our family, our search was limited to four square miles: the same school district where I grew up. Our schools have always been a source of pride, and they remain one of the reasons families choose our community.

Like everyone else, I don't want to pay a dollar more in taxes than necessary. But meaningful comparisons must account for how schools are funded. District 128 relies heavily on local property taxes, while other communities receive different levels of state support. Comparing Palos Heights with national averages or Cook County figures that include Chicago overlooks those differences.

More relevant is what we're spending and what our community receives. According to the Illinois State Board of Education's latest financial data, District 128 spends less per student than 106 of Cook County's 114 elementary districts reporting positive operating expenditures. That's remarkable context for understanding our tax burden. One of the seven districts spending less, Lemont, is also seeking additional operating funding through a November referendum. Meanwhile, District 128 has experienced significant enrollment growth, placing additional pressure on our finances.

We often hear that schools account for the largest portion of our property taxes, as though that's inherently a problem. But our children attend these schools every day. They educate our future generations, strengthen our neighborhoods, and help make this community a desirable place to raise a family.

None of this excuses unnecessary spending. Every tax dollar deserves careful scrutiny, particularly when families and businesses face their own financial pressures. But there's a difference between spending less and receiving good value. I believe our community receives tremendous value from its investment in our schools.

Richard Facko

Palos Heights