Part 2: https://blnnews.com/2025/06/18/olympia-schools-district-facts-part-2/
By: Diane Benjamin
This story has facts needed for the NEXT story.
If you want the best possible chance of fleecing taxpayers you put a referendum to increase taxes on the Primary ballot where few people bother to vote. The Mclean County schools did that on April 1st to get a 1% Sales Tax increase. Olympia did the same thing in 2024 on the Primary ballot:
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According to this WGLT article this vote won’t necessarily mean an overall higher tax rate: https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2024-03-20/olympia-tax-referendum-passes-but-doesnt-mean-higher-overall-tax-rate
Keep reading – taxpayers were deceived into voting yes.
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Properties in the district have UNREALIZED gains – overall 8.85%. Property owners never see that increase in value unless they sell their property. If you aren’t selling, the Olympia School District is taxing you on those gains you may never see. If property values decrease, like they have before, Olympia won’t be offering refunds. Olympia seized your money because they could.
See now why the March 2024 vote concerning the RATE didn’t mean overall taxes wouldn’t increase?
Did taxpayers attend this hearing in December 2024? Do you understand what the district did? They taxed residents on unrealized gains by seizing the entire increase in assessed values.
Property Tax Levy hearing minutes
The April 1st election this year had 4 open Board seats on the Olympia School Board, only 3 people ran:
PDF page 23: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28784/2025-Consolidated-Election-Summary-Report
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When good people don’t bother to run for office you don’t have good people to vote for. Enrollment is declining while spending and taxes increase.
Stay tuned
I was a “No” vote. They wanted to spend money on fixing the swimming pool. A club swim team was the only group allowed to use the pool – no one else.
Folks/taxpayers are either too wealthy or busy to care or question semi-illegal theft and taxing unrealized gains – (data that lacks integrity)
Reminder: most involved in this are on payrolls and making these decisions and budgets all get $ y and pensions (For The Kids) and innovation, security, cutting edge surveillance/safety and solar/green sustainability strategies and models .
The ones that see thru it all have nothing to gain and see how legacy players choreographed all of this $$
“Leadership”
Well, we got the same message from McLean County (certified mail @$ 5.69 – who absorbs?) that Ridgeview corrected bills would be sent out the week off June 9th. Have not seen them yet!!!
That whole certified mai deal is odd and expensive