Background

On February 19, 2019, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law the “Lifting Up Illinois Working Families Act,” which raises the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025.  Minimum wage increases will go into effect incrementally – increasing by $1 each year until it has reached $15 per hour in 2025.

To address increasing personnel costs, Sherrard Library will be placing a referendum on the 2021 ballot regarding a tax levy increase.  Monies received as a result of the tax rate increase will be used in Sherrard Library’s Corporate Fund, which is allocated for staff wages, library collection, programs, association dues (such as PrairieCat and Overdrive participation fees), and supplies.

The tax levy will not impact Sherrard Library’s other funds, including Audit, IMRF, Operations & Maintenance, Tort Judgements & Liability, or Social Security.

What is a referendum?

A referendum is a question on the ballot, which has been referred to voters for a direct decision.  Sherrard Library will be posing a tax levy increase question during the General Consolidated Election on April 6, 2021.  The question will read as follows:

“Shall the annual public library tax rate for the Sherrard Public Library District, Mercer and Rock Island Counties, Illinois, be established at 0.19% of full, fair cash value instead of at 0.15%, the maximum rate otherwise applicable to the next taxes to be extended?”

What does that mean?

The question will provide voters an opportunity to approve or disapprove of a 0.04% increase toward Sherrard Library’s Corporate Fund, which is allocated for staff wages, library collection, programs, association dues (such as PrairieCat and Overdrive participation fees), and supplies. Currently, Mercer County and Rock Island County apply a 0.15% tax on property within the library district for Corporate Fund expenditures.  Approving the referendum would increase the Library’s tax levy to 0.19%, or $0.19 per $100 of a property’s taxable value.

Are those the only taxes my household pays toward the Sherrard Public Library District?

No.  Households that reside within the Sherrard Public Library District pay taxes toward six library funds (Audit, Corporate, IMRF, Operations & Maintenance, Tort Judgements & Liability, and Social Security). 

Altogether, these funds equal a 0.2127% property tax for Mercer County, and a 0.2113% property tax for Rock Island County.  In other words, households in Mercer County pay $0.2127 per $100 of their property’s taxable value, and households in Rock Island County pay $0.2113 per $100 of their property’s taxable value.  Of that, 0.15% is allocated for Sherrard Library’s Corporate Fund.

The referendum proposes an increase in the Corporate Fund portion of library taxes, increasing it from 0.15% to 0.19%.  Altogether, that would equal a 0.2527% property tax for Mercer County, and a 0.2513% property tax for Rock Island County.

How would this tax increase impact my household?

If voters approve the tax levy increase, households within the library district can expect a 0.04% increase in the property taxes allocated for the Sherrard Library.  Those monies will only be used toward the Corporate Fund, increasing that portion from 0.15% to 0.19%. As an example, a property with a net taxable value of $40,000 in Mercer or Rock Island County would see an increase of $16.

​To calculate your library taxes, and how much your taxes would increase, use the formula below:

(Net Taxable Value of Residence - Exemptions) x 0.2127 = A

A / 100 = Current Library Taxes

(Net Taxable Value of Residence - Exemptions) x 0.2527 = B

B / 100 = Increased Library Taxes

Increased Taxes - Current Taxes = Total Dollar Increase in Library Taxes

How can I vote?

To vote in Illinois, you must be registered.  Individuals can register online at https://ova.elections.il.gov/ or in-person at the Mercer County Clerk’s Office (100 SE 3rd St, Aledo, IL 61231) / Rock Island County Clerk’s Office (1504 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201).

After registering, visit your polling place to vote.  To determine your polling place, enter your residential address at https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx.

For more information about voter registration, visit:

https://www.aledoil.org/Faq.aspx?QID=83

http://www.rockislandcounty.org/VoterRegistration/

Where can I get more information?

For more information about Sherrard Library services or the 2021 Referendum, please contact Director Tori Drews via email (director@sherrardlibrary.org) or phone (309-593-2178).  Office hours are M-F 10 am – 4:30 pm.

Tax Referendum FAQ