Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for filing property tax levies, the Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233 board approved a $49.3 million tax increase for 2026 while Community High School District 218 will increase taxes by $110.6 million.
The increase passed during a Nov. 18 meeting will raise taxes 2.9%, according to the Homewood-Flossmoor High School district. In 2024, the school board levied $47.7 million in additional taxes from the year before but abated $5.2 million in property tax relief.
Chief school business official Lawrence Cook said during his most recent tax levy presentation in October the district has saved taxpayers $34.6 million in abatements since 2018 due to additional cash infusions from the state.
The Homewood-Flossmoor High School budget for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 includes $79.4 million in revenues and $86.1 million in expenditures, according to the district.
Community High School District 218 projects $159.8 million in revenues and $194.7 million in expenditures, according to the district.
The District 218 Board passed a levy adjustment Dec. 18 but did not specify the change. District 218 includes 5,429 students at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Richards High School in Oak Lawn and Shepard High School in Palos Heights.
Construction remains ongoing for athletic field house additions and other facility upgrades totaling $79 million at District 218 high schools.
In July, business manager Anthony Corsi presented updated financing plans for the projects, which include selling more than $18 million in bonds during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. About two-thirds of the project costs will be covered by the district’s reserve funds, with the rest incurred as debt.
The 35,000-square-foot Eisenhower field house will include a four-lane, 160-meter track, a 4,000-square-foot weight room, a batting cage, climbing wall, long jump pit and a pole vault area, according to the district.
The smaller Shepard Field House will include a similar size weight room, a three-lane, 130-meter track, two batting cages, a long jump pit and a pole vault area. Both field houses will include three basketball/volleyball courts and will be connected to their schools through an athletic commons and corridor.
Superintendent Josh Barron said the investment will help the district stay competitive as nearby districts construct their own modern athletic facilities.
For example, construction is underway for a $40 million field house at Oak Lawn High School in District 229, expected to open in fall 2026.
“We want 218 and its 11 communities to be a destination for people to move to,” Barron said.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
