Crete-Monee School District 201-U Proposes 2025 Tax Levy; Tax Rate Projected to Decrease
Article Summary: The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education held a public hearing regarding its 2025 property tax levy, projecting a decrease in the overall tax rate due to rising property values. Despite the rate reduction, homeowners may see a slight increase in their tax bills as the district captures revenue from expiring TIF districts and new construction.
2025 Tax Levy Key Points:
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Operating Request: The district is requesting $73,400,000 in operating funds, which matches the request from the 2024 levy.
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Projected Tax Rate: The tax rate is estimated to decrease from 6.6735% in 2024 to approximately 6.3971% in 2025.
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Property Values: The district’s Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) has surpassed $1 billion, increasing from roughly $831 million the previous year.
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Homeowner Impact: A home with an assessed value of $200,000 is estimated to see a tax bill increase of approximately $70 due to rising property assessments.
The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education convened on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, to hold a Truth-in-Taxation hearing regarding the proposed 2025 property tax levy.
Brian Johnson, Director of Finance, presented data showing that while the district is requesting the same amount in operating funds as the previous year, the overall tax extension is expected to rise due to the expiration of the Monee Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District #3. The district is requesting $73,400,000 for operating funds. When including bond and interest payments, the total estimated tax extension is $85,396,725.
“This year we have the Monee TIF number three that has rolled off that we needed to capture, which is why we’re requesting above the 5%,” Johnson explained during the hearing. He noted that the district must “balloon” the levy request to ensure they do not miss out on available funds from the dissolving TIF district.
Impact on Tax Rates and Bills
The presentation highlighted a projected decrease in the district’s tax rate, falling from 6.6735% per $100 of Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) in 2024 to an estimated 6.3971% for 2025. Johnson attributed this drop to a significant increase in property values within the district. The district’s total EAV has risen to $1,009,485,444, a figure that includes approximately $30 million in new construction.
Despite the lower rate, individual tax bills are expected to increase slightly for many residents because property values have risen. The district provided estimates based on a 5% increase in a property’s EAV:
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$150,000 Home: Estimated tax increase of $58.
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$200,000 Home: Estimated tax increase of $70.
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$250,000 Home: Estimated tax increase of $83.
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$300,000 Home: Estimated tax increase of $96.
Procedural Requirements
The Truth-in-Taxation hearing was legally required because the proposed levy represents an increase of more than 5% over the previous year’s actual tax extension. Under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), the district is generally limited to an increase of 5% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. The CPI used for the 2025 levy is 2.9%. However, revenue from new construction and dissolving TIF districts is exempt from this cap.
The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the final adoption of the 2025 tax levy during its regular meeting on December 16, 2025.
Meeting Briefs:
Safety Symposium Success:
Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese reported on the district’s third annual Safety Symposium. Approximately 45 participants, some traveling from as far as Morris, attended the event to discuss security measures. Dr. Coglianese highlighted a roundtable discussion with other superintendents that focused heavily on cybersecurity. “Everybody was just so appreciative of having the opportunity to come and learn from our staff and really network with one another,” Coglianese said.
FFA Garden Donation:
During public comment, student Malachi Cliff provided an update on the high school’s community garden. Cliff reported that students have grown and donated over 1,300 pounds of fresh produce to the Crete pantry, serving more than 200 families. The students also harvested popcorn, which is being prepared for sale as “CHS Popcorn Kettle Corn.” Several written public comments were also read into the record praising the agriculture program and the leadership skills it provides students.
Cheerleading Update:
The Board received an update regarding the district’s cheerleading program. The team recently took third place at a competition at Sandburg High School. Officials noted the program’s growth, which now includes both Junior Varsity and Varsity squads.
Upcoming Vote:
The Board of Education is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, for its regular meeting. At that time, the Board is expected to formally vote on the approval of the 2025 Tax Levy and the sale of the Monee Education Center. The approved levy must be filed with the Will County Clerk by December 30.
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