[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6128241,"mediaKeyId","5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833","parentId",5751298,"title","Evanston committee hears broad support for local property-tax circuit breaker; Cook County assessor outlines state bills","audioSeconds",6527,"startMs",127000,"endMs",6654000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833&start=127&end=6654","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833/thumbnail_127000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6128241/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-committee-hears-broad-support-for-local-property-tax-circuit-breaker-Cook-County-assessor-outlines-state-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128241-2623291f08e34cbb5c3029eee27abf6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923748&Signature=Y1OEvxRSP-Yebb6YXYsJjcsXPOZkvuxVl0tCL-Hi4MJwAziEuMp7AWHGdvrXEr0ToAizeVM4qI8fOPUbPQJyGFD8JIjo4k0wfoaY7sXalTNdBg~gv0MUr-khk0Xep7EhOetq559bL47dHn5i3ZiecjEM2DuzKWKHoIJuM5FqGLsvl42baktvkbF54RRo8bc-YpxTyMK~gkFGneqJKsE4kegyIgl3hR6CfZofQN2J2qEBl1R4hFOqytizASHPYKuZOZcL5Y1rL1-ij~BywQeULS1wy5rZquSw1vNJB5mZ9TwYwqPt51oeVbc1D~JpN7I4XXA4z-ygOMv2f0whbnSZKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Evanston, IL","date","2025-09-10T12:26:35Z","article","Supporters of a proposed Evanston property-tax “circuit breaker” told the Finance & Budget Committee on multiple occasions that the program would help longtime residents remain in their homes despite rising property taxes and rents, and urged the city to pursue a local pilot while a statewide bill moves through Springfield.

The proposal drew public-comment support from residents and advocates including Malika Gardner, Tricia Connolly, Mary Rosinski, Isaiah White and Meg Welch, and a presentation from James Mendez, director of policy at the Cook County assessor’s office. Mendez described pending state legislation and a Cook County approach and answered technical questions about eligibility, benefits and program duration.

The circuit breaker concept is designed to offset tax burden for households with limited incomes. In public comment, Malika Gardner, a community organizer, said the program “is a lifeline for working families and seniors who are being priced out of our … Evanston” and argued the plan “does not burden other taxpayers.” Isaiah White, a Cook County Board candidate, told the committee the proposal “makes a strike toward equity” for renters because property-tax increases are passed through in rent. Several other speakers urged the committee to advance the idea promptly, saying residents need relief now.

Mendez said the Cook County assessor’s office has drafted companion statewide bills — House Bill 3808 and Senate Bill 1978 — and that his office supports circuit-breaker programs. He described the county’s proposal as homeowner-targeted and means-tested: it would use an annual household-income threshold (he cited $100,000 as an example) plus a percentage spike in an owner’s tax bill (he described a 25% or larger increase from the prior reassessment as the eligibility trigger). “We support circuit breakers,” Mendez said, and identified HB3808 (House sponsor: Representative Justice Slaughter) and SB1978 (Senate sponsor: Senator Patrick Joyce) as the draft measures the assessor’s office has promoted to Springfield.

Mendez said the county’s program would verify incomes through an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Revenue, that the proposed state appropriation was initially $200 million, and that a benefit design in the assessor’s office model would reduce about half of an identified spike for eligible homeowners. He also said eligibility would not be limited by age and that participation would be reviewed after three years in most cases. “We reassess tri‑annually,” he said, describing how reassessments affect ongoing eligibility.

Committee members asked about details the county proposal leaves flexible. Council member Claire Kelly — a local sponsor of the Evanston proposal — said the city should consider a local pilot while recognizing the state effort could take years. Members pressed Mendez on household income aggregation (he confirmed household incomes are combined) and on whether other municipalities run similar programs (he said most U.S. circuit breakers are state programs; counties and localities occasionally run temporary relief funds). Members also asked how the benefit is delivered; Mendez said savings would be seen on the second‑installment tax bill under the county model.

Committee discussion ended with agreement to continue work on a local pilot design. Kelly described a possible local pilot funded from the city’s existing “good neighbor” contributions earmarked for affordable housing and said the committee would present detailed eligibility, funding and implementation proposals to City Council. The committee did not take a formal vote on a final local design during the meeting.

If adopted, committee members said, a local pilot would include eligibility limits, an income threshold, residency or length‑of‑residence criteria for prioritizing assistance, and a cap on the total pilot cost. Several speakers suggested homeownership focus for an initial pilot year and asked staff to estimate program costs and the number of potential recipients before a City Council vote.

The committee directed staff and council sponsors to continue drafting detailed program rules and financial projections and to bring a formal proposal to City Council for consideration.

Ending: The committee signaled broad support in concept for a local circuit‑breaker pilot and asked staff to prepare a detailed, revenue‑neutral proposal (including funding source, eligibility criteria and cost estimates) to be considered by City Council. No final ordinance or funding allocation was adopted at the committee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance & Budget Committee Meeting 9-9-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Supporters of a proposed Evanston property‑tax circuit breaker told the Finance & Budget Committee the program could help longtime homeowners and renters remain in the city as taxes and rents rise.","taxTitle","Evanston, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",2640,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128236,"Actuary reports show gradual funding improvement for Evanston police and fire pensions; city keeps 6.5% assumption for now",5274,1802000,7076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833&start=1802&end=7076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833/thumbnail_1802000.jpg","/articles/6128236/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Actuary-reports-show-gradual-funding-improvement-for-Evanston-police-and-fire-pensions-city-keeps-65-assumption-for-now","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128236-a7f904ade2092ff7668c45d51cb6ac62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923748&Signature=mJf39pzlnebz7mHH7~gMGK55TbSSuxOkYUvBgI1wV7eXaJHw48yjFwjMfBaxDWK1gIkaZSWcB0Hvgff23EQh5Oe-EmP-ke51EJwWcGmgjASCebnPeeXfWoNSjUIVmsN07qHlJV7x1JfOOX2-yWUMch950qLGMHJ6jbm4GXyhGTzJ-EBGNA89TvPfzcWSPTZ7rYC5pgUsSA2zBMOle2XHc9AAmLwA8m-Mfhtk5ALsZsBZb3n~fUJnqpNG5lBy0rrUyzFNkKz11DZphFhcazo7P6NqcC9vEOiW1Sum4CY~DowDYNJ-oYbEpFOc819gtEQv5gzBQDnF1t4K59tnkUxYtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City actuarial reports presented to the Finance & Budget Committee showed modest year‑over‑year improvements in both Evanston pension plans but reaffirmed remaining long‑term liability and the need to maintain recommended contributions.

Heidi Andorfer, the actuary who presented the police and fire valuations, led the committee through the one‑page summaries that front‑load funded status, contribution requirements and plan experience. For the police fund, she reported an actual accrued liability and an unfunded accrued liability of roughly $130.6 million and a funded ratio of 59.5%. For the fire fund the funded ratio was 53.6% with an unfunded accrued liability of about $111.1 million. Andorfer said both funds benefited from favorable five‑year smoothed investment returns and from the city’s continued contributions.

Andorfer described drivers of the changes: higher‑than‑anticipated salary increases raised normal costs; lower than expected inactive mortality (fewer deaths) increased liabilities; and favorable investment performance on a smoothed basis reduced the funding gap. She also noted that the actuarial firm updated software and coding, which produced a one‑time refinement to liability calculations during this valuation.

Committee members discussed the investment return assumption (discount rate). Andorfer said the 6.5% assumption in the valuation is on the conservative side relative to some peers and that consolidated investment options may change future expected returns, but she recommended observing consolidated‑fund experience before moving the assumption upward. Council members and committee members asked follow‑up questions about how the assumption is set, the difference between corporate and public discounting approaches, and how reassessments and salary changes affect eligibility and contributions.

The committee and actuarial presenter also discussed the Illinois statutory funding methodology tied to a 2040 funding target. Andorfer noted many Illinois plans have relied on the statute in the past and that the statute’s 2040 target has been moved in prior years; she advised the city not to chase any future statutory date changes and instead to rely on the city’s funding policy (which targets full funding and uses entry‑age normal amortization to reduce volatility). “You are currently tied to statute here,” Andorfer said, and the committee discussed the city’s deliberate choice to use entry‑age normal and a 100% funding target to promote intergenerational equity.

After discussion, committee members said they would keep the 6.5% assumption for the current valuation and monitor consolidated fund performance before reconsidering. The committee also requested five‑year projections, scenario comparisons (for example, 6.5% vs. 6.75%), and copies of related analyses from the pension fund presidents to better understand the path to full funding and the expected contribution schedule.

Ending: The actuarial reports show funding progress but substantial unfunded liabilities remain. The committee will keep the current actuarial assumption and directed staff to return with additional projections and materials before any change in the assumption or funding policy.","Actuarial valuations presented to the Finance & Budget Committee show modest improvements in Evanston’s police and fire pension funded ratios, but substantial unfunded liabilities remain and the city will continue to monitor assumptions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128231,"Committee debates earmarking PPRT for pensions and a potential library claim; legal review requested",1931,3913000,5844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833&start=3913&end=5844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833/thumbnail_3913000.jpg","/articles/6128231/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Committee-debates-earmarking-PPRT-for-pensions-and-a-potential-library-claim-legal-review-requested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128231-7272b7a46498c937dbd865eecca137be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923748&Signature=boNmB4EzVPHh35IsqH13ssv17C8B4CMCcGXA7m8TUIPvlO7H3qkq1Nv-WnrlUZVy8z5VZPK2jysb0My324l74mE8bGMjJg1ZVrJlpMhEa5~pAJxFIgx8Dclm3IAe87TFTkbbo29khSEV0q70WQuYSD2429fb4WPuMy17ivDBzuHKmtiWNyE4~iH9t8jxz9Djv5iqOJgaDPTCH4d~LhTaqYQy29s17HvbEqCGfK2848Zxv5zUdxaRC624pFWVO2zzo3idL4zDeqPTl0TFcrN8KlfRDYeal6KmFCBGt1SZwckQOqsNYL9S1Mc0ORoLiw1V52bZtAAB7rGB7s8aMsdPuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance staff and the city corporation counsel briefed the Finance & Budget Committee on whether Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) receipts may be placed in escrow or otherwise designated to cover pension obligations and whether the Evanston library is legally entitled to a portion of PPRT under the Library Tax Act of 1978.

Alexandra Ruggie, corporation counsel, told the committee that tax liabilities tied to 1978 levies must be honored first and that PPRT money “can be placed in escrow” from a legal standpoint, but she emphasized that the question is primarily a policy decision for the city. Ruggie also said she was still confirming whether the library qualifies under the library‑tax provisions that would require a statutory allocation; staff reported an initial historic review indicating a roughly 10% library share in the 1978 levy records, and counsel said she would confirm whether statutory conditions were met.

Finance director Hitesh Clayton explained the fiscal trade‑offs: placing PPRT into an escrow or designating it for pensions would remove that revenue from the general fund and reduce the city’s flexible operating cash, which is already strained. Clayton also reported that in recent years the city used various one‑time receipts (including Northwestern stadium and academic building permit revenues) to supplement reserves; without those receipts the city’s excess reserves would be materially smaller.

Committee discussion focused on policy tradeoffs and procedural options. Some members favored a formal, binding approach to ensure future pension contributions (for example, converting the existing pension policy into an ordinance). Others argued that designating PPRT to pensions is only a partial and declining revenue stream and that locked designations could worsen general‑fund shortfalls unless alternative revenues are found. Committee member McMillan asked for legal clarification about whether the library is entitled to a PPRT share; Ruggie said the city would confirm the library’s legal status under the 1978 statute.

At the meeting the committee voted to defer the PPRT referral for further legal review and to permit additional staff analysis: one member moved to “cable” (table) the matter until a later date, the motion was seconded and the committee approved tabling the referral for further study. The committee also requested that city legal staff analyze the implications of converting the pension policy into an ordinance to determine whether additional legal authority or constraints would apply.

Ending: The committee did not adopt a formal escrow or earmark at the meeting; instead, it asked corporation counsel to confirm whether any PPRT share must go to the library under 1978 law and requested further legal and fiscal analysis before making a policy change.","City legal and finance staff told the Finance & Budget Committee that PPRT receipts could legally be placed in escrow but that doing so would be a policy choice with tradeoffs; staff were asked to confirm whether a component‑library claim exists under the 1978 law.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6128226,"Finance staff previews budget shortfall and recommends delaying bond sale; Q1 bond issuance penciled in",429,6659000,7088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833&start=6659&end=7088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5751298-38bd0be31e7e93b7a740536ca019c833/thumbnail_6659000.jpg","/articles/6128226/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Finance-staff-previews-budget-shortfall-and-recommends-delaying-bond-sale-Q1-bond-issuance-penciled-in","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6128226-6fd137de37bc6059fd01e6377ff7e3b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923748&Signature=iSPF23PN~oGMus-u-q1e9npHKGNY-wf6dOZ1Mfg7kD2ZkJoYFj75FmsgdOXt0yia7epwB2yZtudc1BDsdY5NZU4QS62sj6qEgUrQxLJI-RYtjDqQpGUIP6kSPC-zH1AWvgrv87yodeqzIXimcSfA7C4fZv71wugpQdQVhq4Lr2Y0uC1ZGn2xXQEjyrSAk6wK2O0DO~9dnJGYUdXkfd05mmZxgCp6ESYwOghuYejnXomVB7stmiCFAiRffLzSh~BbHoP0Svf3wFi~zkK42nd~RekHg1bie2~3TvB1cljGPOZp9vVOmT370UVUtg9u7HpAePH7pq9uWj4f7ibHs0uyJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff told the Finance & Budget Committee that the city faces a baseline general‑fund deficit if no changes are made and recommended delaying a planned general‑obligation bond sale until market rates are more favorable.

Finance director Hitesh Clayton briefed the committee on cash and capital‑project timing. Clayton reported the capital‑improvement program (CIP) cash position is negative (roughly $4.5 million) because property‑tax receipts have not yet arrived and the city has advanced some CIP payments from the general fund. He said the city’s projected year‑end general‑fund balance (including one‑time revenues from recent projects) would be roughly $42 million to $47 million, with an “excess reserve” portion of roughly $15 million to $20 million. Clayton said much of the one‑time cushion comes from Northwestern stadium and academic‑building permit receipts; without those receipts the city would have materially less reserve.

Clayton and staff presented a tentative analysis prepared by the city’s financial adviser for a proposed $20 million bond issue and said net interest cost had risen from the May estimate. Given recent federal‑fund rate volatility, staff recommended waiting for prospective rate cuts and tentatively penciled a bond sale in Q1 of the next calendar year if market conditions improve. Clayton said the city’s line of credit remains available as a short‑term liquidity tool if necessary, but the line is priced to federal rates and is not a long‑term substitute for a bond sale.

On the operating budget, staff estimated the current baseline deficit would grow from the mid‑year estimate (roughly $10 million) because of wage increases under recent contracts, higher required public‑safety pension contributions, rent increases at leased facilities, and other recurring and one‑time expenditures. Clayton told the committee staff was working with departments to identify savings and revenue options and would return with more detail during the formal budget presentation cycle.

Ending: Staff recommended monitoring interest‑rate developments and targeting a Q1 bond sale if rates decline; the committee asked staff to return with proposed balancing options and detailed budget materials during the October budget cycle.","City finance staff warned the committee the city faces a budget deficit in the coming year and advised postponing a general‑obligation bond sale until interest rates improve. Staff said the CIP fund is negative in cash and that the city’s excess reserves depend in part on one‑time revenues from recent permit and stadium projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Evanston committee hears broad support for local property-tax circuit breaker; Cook County assessor outlines state bills

Actuary reports show gradual funding improvement for Evanston police and fire pensions; city keeps 6.5% assumption for now

Committee debates earmarking PPRT for pensions and a potential library claim; legal review requested

Finance staff previews budget shortfall and recommends delaying bond sale; Q1 bond issuance penciled in