What does a YES vote on School District 23 mean?

Prospect Heights School District 23's limiting rate would rise by 0.350000%, to 3.634147% of equalized assessed value for levy year 2026, for education and school facilities, raising extendable taxes from about $22,763,893 to $25,189,900, or about $106 more on a $100,000 home.

What does a NO vote on School District 23 mean?

The district's limiting rate would not increase and would stay under the regular Property Tax Cap Law calculation.

How many votes does School District 23 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 School District 23?

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.

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

School District 23 — Increase Limiting Rate (Cook County)

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Only voters in this district

What it does: Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Prospect Heights School District Number 23, Cook County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.350000% above the limiting rate for levy year 2024 for the purpose of providing educational programming and instruction and operating, maintaining, improving and constructing school buildings and facilities and for other school purposes and be equal to 3.634147% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2026? (1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $22,763,893, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $25,189,900. (2) For the 2026 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $106. (3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2026 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).
A YES vote means: Prospect Heights School District 23's limiting rate would rise by 0.350000%, to 3.634147% of equalized assessed value for levy year 2026, for education and school facilities, raising extendable taxes from about $22,763,893 to $25,189,900, or about $106 more on a $100,000 home.
A NO vote means: The district's limiting rate would not increase and would stay under the regular Property Tax Cap Law calculation.
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

Only on your ballot if you live in the School District 23.

Background

The Prospect Heights School District 23 Board of Education voted unanimously on August 13, 2026, to place this limiting-rate increase on the November 3 ballot, citing a long-term structural deficit, the Journal & Topics reported.

The district says the increase would raise up to $4 million a year in new revenue to maintain current programs and services, and estimates the cost for the average home at $336 a year ($28 a month); it says this ask is a third reduction from earlier proposals.

According to the district, it has not passed a tax referendum since 1987 and projects it will no longer be able to maintain current programs and services after fiscal 2028 without more revenue; the Journal & Topics reported the district said rejection would likely mean further cuts, possibly to staffing and programs.

Put on the ballot by Prospect Heights SD 23 Board of Education, unanimous, August 13, 2026 (per Journal & Topics).

From official source.

In the news

Dist. 23 Board OKs Referendum For November Ballot · Journal & Topics

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on School District 23 mean?: Prospect Heights School District 23's limiting rate would rise by 0.350000%, to 3.634147% of equalized assessed value for levy year 2026, for education and school facilities, raising extendable taxes from about $22,763,893 to $25,189,900, or about $106 more on a $100,000 home.
What does a NO vote on School District 23 mean?: The district's limiting rate would not increase and would stay under the regular Property Tax Cap Law calculation.
How many votes does School District 23 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 School District 23?: 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.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Cook County ballot.

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