Chicago Area Voters Face Dozens of Ballot Measures Nov. 3

Chicago-area residents will cast ballots on November 3 to decide dozens of local and state referendums. The measures cover a wide range of topics, including massive bond issues for school and infrastructure projects, potential tax changes, and structural shifts in how local governments operate.

In Cook County, every voter will see an advisory question regarding the 'Millionaire Amendment.' This proposal would impose a 3% income tax surcharge on individuals earning over one million dollars. The plan directs half of the new revenue toward property tax relief and the other half toward state funding for public education.

Chicago Public Schools voters face two specific questions. One asks if owners of long-term vacant or undeveloped property should pay an additional fee to support the district. The second asks if Illinois should use revenue from a millionaires tax to help fund schools. City voters will also weigh in on three advisory questions, including the reintroduction of gunshot detection technology, the development of a permanent festival space to replace Grant Park and Douglas Park, and the recovery of financial losses from the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz.

Bond measures dominate ballots in several suburban districts. Community School District 300, spanning Cook, DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry counties, seeks approval for more than $355 million in bonds to build a new Career and Technical Education Center and repair existing buildings. East Maine School District is requesting approximately $120 million for security improvements, while Moraine Valley Community College seeks $115 million to support programs in automation, engineering, fire science, EMS, automotive repair, HVAC, and welding.

Township High School District 214 is asking for $295 million to repair and equip high schools in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, and other communities. In DuPage County, Oswego School District 308 seeks $317 million for security and HVAC upgrades, and Yorkville School District 115 is requesting $159 million to build two new school buildings. Evergreen Park voters will consider $68 million for a new middle school, while Skokie Park District residents will vote on $53 million for a new recreation center.

Structural changes are also on the table. Voters in Alsip, Calumet Park, Crestwood, and Markham will face term limit questions. Aurora residents in DuPage County will decide whether to adopt a recall mechanism for the mayor if 20% of previous mayoral voters sign a petition. In Lake County, all residents will vote on a 1% sales tax for school facilities, resource officers, and mental health professionals. Highland Park voters will consider term limits for the mayor and councilmembers, while Wauconda and Round Lake residents will decide if the village clerk should be appointed rather than elected.