Residents in Villa Park, Lombard and other communities served by School District 45 will have several opportunities this month to learn more about the district’s November referendum as District 45 continues a series of public Town Hall meetings.

Voters will decide the referendum during the November 3, 2026 General Election. The proposal is a limiting-rate referendum, meaning the additional revenue would be available for the district’s ongoing operating expenses rather than being restricted to specific construction projects.

What Will Voters Decide?

The ballot question asks voters whether District 45's limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law should increase by 0.2670 percentage points above the limiting rate for levy year 2025.

If approved, the district says the increase would generate approximately $4.4 million in additional revenue each year. The ballot language identifies instructional programming, student support and services, operations and maintenance, and safety and security improvements among the purposes for the additional funding.

How Much Would It Cost Homeowners?

According to District 45, the proposed increase would add approximately $299 per year — about $25 per month — to the property-tax bill of a home with an estimated market value of $350,000.

Actual tax impacts would vary depending on an individual property's assessed value and other factors. District 45 has made a tax-impact estimator available as part of its referendum information.

Why Is District 45 Seeking Additional Funding?

District 45 says its ongoing operating costs have grown faster than its recurring revenue, creating a structural budget deficit. The district reports that it has used reserves in recent years to help maintain programs and services but says relying on savings to cover recurring expenses is not sustainable.

The district also says it receives less state and federal funding than the average Illinois school district and that its local tax rate is lower than many comparable districts. Rising expenses cited by District 45 include staffing, insurance, transportation, special education, supplies and other school operating costs.

District 45 says it has already taken cost-saving measures, including administrative reductions, staffing adjustments, extending the replacement cycle for Chromebooks, reviewing technology expenses and making some staffing reductions through attrition. Additional budget reductions remain under consideration.

What Would the Additional Revenue Support?

According to District 45, approval of the referendum would provide funding intended to help restore or support programs including reading support, advanced academics, academic interventions, fine arts, intramural sports, clubs and other student services and activities.

The district also says the additional recurring revenue would help maintain what it describes as reasonable class sizes, provide funding for facility maintenance and reduce the need for deeper future budget cuts.

If the referendum does not pass, District 45 says reductions already made this school year would remain in place and additional cuts would need to be considered for the 2027-28 school year.

 According to the district, possibilities could include eliminating another 15 to 20 certified positions, additional reductions in extracurricular activities and programs, and consideration of options such as redistricting or school closures.

How Is This Different From the 2020 Referendum?

District 45 notes that the current proposal is different from the referendum voters approved in 2020.

The 2020 referendum was a bond referendum, meaning the proceeds were restricted to voter-approved capital projects. District 45 says those funds were used to build the Early Childhood Center, implement full-day kindergarten and make school safety and security improvements.

The 2026 proposal is a limiting-rate referendum intended to generate recurring operating revenue. District 45 says it has not received a limiting-rate tax increase since 2000.

Referendum Follows March Vote

The November proposal follows an earlier District 45 referendum that appeared on the March 17, 2026 ballot and did not pass. District 45 reports that the March measure fell short by 193 votes.

Following that vote, the district continued reviewing its finances and referendum options. In June, the Board moved forward with the current proposed 0.267% increase, which District 45 says maintains the projected $299 annual impact for a $350,000 home.

Three Town Halls This Week

District 45 is holding several public Town Hall meetings where residents can hear a presentation about the proposal, review information and ask questions.

Tuesday, Sept. 8 — 6:30–8 p.m.
District 45 Early Childhood Center
251 W. Jackson St., Villa Park

Saturday, Sept. 12 — 10–11:30 a.m.
Jefferson Middle School
255 W. Vermont St., Villa Park

Monday, Sept. 14 — 6:30–8 p.m.
Stevenson Elementary School
18W331 E. 15th St., Lombard

This presentation will be conducted in Spanish.

Additional Opportunities

Residents who cannot attend one of this week's meetings will have additional opportunities:

Thursday, Sept. 17 — 6:30 p.m.
Stevenson Elementary School, Lombard

Tuesday, Sept. 22 — 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Zoom presentation; advance registration is required.

Saturday, Oct. 3 — 10 a.m.
Jefferson Middle School, Villa Park

This presentation will be conducted in Spanish.

The Town Halls are informational sessions designed to give community members an opportunity to learn about the proposal and ask questions before the November election.

Election Day Is Nov. 3

The District 45 referendum will appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 3 General Election ballot. District 45 says in-person early voting is tentatively scheduled to begin Sept. 24, and eligible DuPage County voters will also have vote-by-mail and Election Day voting options.

Residents can find the full ballot question, referendum documents, Town Hall information, videos, tax-impact information and other materials on the District 45 website. District 45 Referendum Information