In recent years, the Illinois State Board of Education has provided $50 million in property tax relief grants to eligible school districts through the Evidence-Based Funding model for Illinois schools.
In January 2022, Argo Community High School District 217 was informed by the State Board of Education that the district was eligible to receive a grant totaling $1,639,095. At that time, Argo was one of only 37 school districts in the state to receive funding from this grant.
As part of this grant, the district has abated $1,718,380 in taxes from its most recent 2022 tax levy submitted to Cook County in December 2022.
The abatement translates into taxpayer savings totaling $1.7 million for local businesses and homeowners. This abatement will lower the average homeowner’s taxes by about $153 from the original tax levy request.
Argo Board President Dr. Dan Kozal said, “District 217’s Board of Education is committed to providing our students with the best possible educational opportunities while finding ways to provide financial relief for our local property owners.”