NILES, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The average homeowner in north suburban Niles can expect to pay hundreds more in property taxes next year.
Calling it a difficult decision, the Niles Village Board unanimously approved Wednesday a massive property-tax levy totaling $13 million.
“This is a very difficult and unpopular decision on our part, but this is why we’re elected,” said Trustee Dean Strzelecki. “We have to stop kicking the can down the road.”
The tax hike is an 88 percent increase compared to last year. It aims to fund police and fire pensions, as well as village road construction and other capital projects.
“As difficult as it is, I think you’re going to see in the future better roads, better travel, and a pension (fund) that isn’t always choking us,” added Trustee Joe LoVerde.
The owner of a $350,000 can expect to pay an additional $469 in property taxes in 2022.
Trustee Craig Niedermaier said the services residents expect come at a cost.
“You can get cheap all you want, [but] that ends up costing you money in the long run, and so this is us putting on our big boy pants and paying what we should have been paying for a while.”
Even with the property tax increase, officials said the village will still have the lowest municipal tax rate among its neighboring communities.
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