Evanston Library Board Reviews Proposed Tax Increase
The library board held a public hearing to discuss a proposed 3.15% property tax increase for 2027.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Administration
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Do you believe your local tax increases are justified by the services provided in your community?
The Evanston Public Library Board of Trustees recently held a Truth in Taxation hearing regarding a proposed property tax levy increase for 2027. The proposal seeks to raise the total tax levy by 3.15% to accommodate both operating and debt service needs.
Why it matters
The board requires the tax hike to adjust its budget to meet current operating expenses and debt service requirements. Simultaneously, the library continues its search for a new executive director, a role that has remained vacant since early 2026.
The proposed budget increases the operating levy from $9.48 million to $9.7 million and the debt service levy from $547,823 to $626,977. Nationally, 32.5% of library staff are unionized, though specific figures for local staff were not disclosed.
The players
Evanston Public Library Board of Trustees
This board oversees the governance, budgeting, and strategic direction of the public library system in Evanston, Illinois.
Koya Partners
This search firm specializes in recruiting leadership for mission-driven organizations and is currently assisting the library with its executive search.
The details
The board conducted the public hearing despite state laws not mandating such a process for tax increases below 5%. Officials are currently using the search firm Koya Partners to gather staff and community input to guide the ongoing leadership transition.
Timeline
February 2026: The executive director position became vacant.
October 21, 2026: The Truth in Taxation hearing was held.
November 18, 2026: The board will meet to vote on the final tax levy.
December 2026 - January 2027: The board plans to conduct director search interviews.
Culture Shift
Public libraries are increasingly adapting to modern transparency standards by voluntarily holding budget hearings even when state requirements are not triggered. This trend reflects a broader shift toward greater administrative accountability and community involvement in local governance.
Residents should anticipate a 3.15% increase in the library portion of their property tax bills if the proposed levy is adopted in November. This adjustment directly funds daily library operations and debt service payments for the upcoming fiscal year.
The takeaway
Maintaining fiscal stability often requires periodic adjustments to local tax levies to keep essential community services running. Residents can participate in upcoming board meetings to stay informed about how these funds are allocated toward library infrastructure and leadership.
What happens next
The library board will present a search progress report and hold a formal vote to adopt the final 2027 tax levy on November 18, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates in Administration regarding local library operations.
Live Poll
Do you believe your local tax increases are justified by the services provided in your community?
