Chicago Public Schools District 299 — Advisory Question Regarding Chicago Land Owners (Cook County)

What it does

Should the City of Chicago require owners of long-term vacant or undeveloped commercial or investment properties to pay an additional annual charge that would support Chicago Public Schools?

A YES vote means

Supports Chicago requiring owners of long-term vacant or undeveloped commercial or investment properties to pay an additional annual charge to support Chicago Public Schools.

A NO vote means

Does not support Chicago requiring this additional annual charge.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The Chicago Board of Education adopted Resolution 26-0813-RS2 on August 13, 2026, placing this advisory question on the November 3 ballot under Section 9-1.5 of the Illinois School Code, according to the resolution.

The resolution says the board seeks public feedback on establishing financial penalties for owners of vacant lots not developed for a productive use, with the revenue supporting Chicago Public Schools, and that the result is non-binding and intended only to guide the board's future deliberations.

The board adopted a separate advisory question the same day asking whether Illinois should use revenue from a surcharge on millionaires to increase funding to public schools (Resolution 26-0813-RS1).

Put on the ballot by Chicago Board of Education, August 13, 2026 (Resolution 26-0813-RS2; vote not shown).

From official source 1, official source 2.

In the news

• From Millionaires' Tax To Public Fairgrounds, You Can Vote On These Ballot Questions In November · Block Club Chicago

Also on Cook County ballots

• School District 23 — Increase Limiting Rate
• School District 63 — Issue Bonds
• School District 124 — Issue Bonds
• School District 128 — Increase Limiting Rate
• High School District 214 — Issue Bonds
• College District 524 — Issue Bonds
• Chicago Public Schools District 299 — Advisory Question Regarding Millionaires Surcharge

All Cook County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Chicago Public Schools District 299 mean?

Supports Chicago requiring owners of long-term vacant or undeveloped commercial or investment properties to pay an additional annual charge to support Chicago Public Schools.

What does a NO vote on Chicago Public Schools District 299 mean?

Does not support Chicago requiring this additional annual charge.

How many votes does Chicago Public Schools District 299 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Chicago Public Schools District 299?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.