Lincoln-Way Board Approves $92.5 Million Tax Levy for 2025

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | December 18, 2025

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education officially adopted a $92,522,000 tax levy during its December meeting, reflecting a 4.57% increase in the operating request. The increase is driven primarily by the 2.9% Consumer Price Index (CPI) and approximately $76.5 million in new construction within the district.

2025 Tax Levy Key Points:

• Total Approved Levy: $92,522,000 for the 2025 levy year.

• Taxpayer Impact: Existing property owners will see an average increase of 2.9% in the aggregate, tied to the 2024 inflation rate.

• Growth Drivers: The district cited $76,575,591 in preliminary new construction estimates as a major factor in the levy request.

• Revenue Share: Local property taxes are expected to account for 70% of the district’s planned operating revenues for the FY2026 budget.

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, voted unanimously to adopt the 2025 tax levy and the accompanying certificate of compliance with the Truth in Taxation Act.

Assistant Superintendent and Treasurer Michael Duback explained that the operating tax levy, which excludes debt service, is projected to increase by 4.57% over the previous year. However, he noted that because of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), existing taxpayers would only experience an average increase of 2.90%.

“The amounts estimated for each fund are determined by tax rate maximums and cash flow needs,” Duback stated in a memo to the board. The total request includes $66,350,000 for the Educational Fund and $16,450,000 for Operations and Maintenance.

Duback emphasized that a significant portion of the total increase comes from taxes on new properties, which the county estimated at over $76 million for 2025. He also noted that the district’s equalized assessed value (EAV) is preliminarily estimated at $6.57 billion.

The board discussed the necessity of the levy to maintain instructional quality and address rising costs. Duback noted that the district’s annual operating costs relate directly to employee salaries and benefits, which increase over time. Additionally, the district continues to manage various unfunded state and federal mandates, including life safety measures and technology integration.

Board President Aaron P. Janik and the members approved the resolution following a brief discussion confirming that no community members had reached out with questions or objections during the public hearing period.