The Library Tax Issue
I was WRONG, and I bet some of you LOVE to see me admit that. However, the same people will probably not be thrilled to find out what I was wrong about. I’d say I am sorry, but I am not.
In the beginning of this library tax issue, I really thought this was a bunch of out of towners (let’s call them the majority, because right now they are) coming in to find a way to shut down our local library; mad because they had to pay some small tax on a place they likely do not use and never will. I was led to believe this by a variety of people but the premise driven home by hometown people; some on the board, and many who have a deep attachment to the library. I was supposed to believe that there were shenanigans that got the new board members (majority) into those seats.
I was wrong.
The taxes are not small and are well over what the library needs to operate, even if they want to save for a rainy day; the numbers speak for themselves. What the library takes in, from tax dollars alone, is double what their budget requires.
Those new majority board members DO NOT want to close the library. They do however, want to see the library more accountable to tax payers, as they should.
One minority board member says flat out that the board trustees are accountable first and foremost to the library and not the tax payers who pay to keep it open. I don’t know if she is mistaken, has read the wrong edition of the laws and guidelines, or is flat out gaslighting, but according to the laws I read, those board members are fiscally accountable to all tax payers in their district. That means they need to budget for their actual needs not overshoot the levy amount by tens of thousands of dollars.
I've included the referenced library laws toward the bottom. You can hear this exchange, in part, during the July board meeting video.
At the July meeting it was shown that the library, at the end of its budget year, right now, has $78,049.70 sitting in the bank. Just sitting there. And in a few weeks, another $169,350 will roll in from the levy leaving a projected $167,399.70 IN THE BANK in 2026, AFTER EXPENSES have been met.
Here's some things to consider.
- There was only an estimated 14% voter turnout for this issue, over all. The YAY votes outside of Coulterville were minimal. This is likely due to the fact that the majority of voters here never give a second thought about the library. It also is widely contended that the issue was not adequately publicized and that people were not readily informed of the levy or its repercussions. People have told me they expected little more than the cost of a library card but instead found hundreds of dollars added to their yearly tax bill. I looked up their taxes and they were correct.
-When the vote on the library tax came through, the attorney for the library submitted the levy amount as high as possible and it was approved. Certain people have tried to convince me that the board, in fact, had nothing to do with the amount to be taxed; they just took what they attorney could get. It is my experience that attorneys do what you pay them to do, within the bounds of the law, meaning the board had every option to stop an overreach of funding, but did not.
- When the levy kicked in, the new guaranteed income for the library increased over 1,000%.. YES, you read that right.
- When the library became a "district library" there should have been a survey done outlining the perimeters of the district. Instead, the library district was allowed to use the same boundaries for the fire district which encompasses three counties. I was told it was done that way to save money but most people would agree the district should have been considerably smaller therefore the survey should have been done strictly for the library levy.
- If you live in Randolph County, your rate of levy is .467 for the library but The FIRE district only collects .248 For Perry County it's .269 to the library and .248 to the fire protection. I didn't check Washington County in any depth but it is similar to Perry County. The library collects more tax money than the fire district, full stop.
- The library cannot use general funds to build a new building so the money in the bank is NOT for a building.
-The minority board members feel that they should be not only be able to collect the higher rate of tax, but increase it by 10% each year in the future.
- The minority board members feel they should be able to hold on to that excess money, continue its growth, by investing the cash for the library’s future.
- I looked up taxes for people that had NO CLUE why their taxes shot up. Randolph and Perry County people. All were shocked. Not one of them use the Coulterville library in any capacity and have no future plans to. Some had land, but none farm it; it’s not making them any cash.
You can read what I have shared, look at the screenshots attached, look up everything on your own, and make up your own mind.
My opinion:
The Library said, "Hey Taxes Payers, we are broke and if you don't help us, we will be forced to close the doors. Will you agree to give us some money to stay open? Libraries are needed."
The local tax payer that actually turned out to vote, being the small-town, big hearts that they are, said, "Sure!" and generously opened their wallet, but didn’t pay close attention.
Instead of the library reaching in with a couple of fingers and drawing out a reasonable contribution, they reached in full fisted and removed what they wanted, thinking those people would never notice, or wouldn’t have a clue how to correct the issue if they did.
But people did notice (those new out-of-town board members) and they stepped up to fix it for people who didn’t know how. And now, the people who made the money grab, are big mad, and tried really hard to keep YOUR money.
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Find out what you pay in taxes for the library at…
Randolph County: https://randolphil.devnetwedge.com/
Perry County: https://perryil.devnetwedge.com/
Washington County: https://washingtonil.devnetwedge.com/
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Elected Library Boards Provide Direct Accountability Logic: Many Illinois public library districts are governed by elected boards of trustees, as outlined in the Illinois Public Library District Act. These trustees are chosen by voters within the library district, making the library directly accountable to the electorate. The board sets policies, approves budgets, and hires the library director, ensuring voter influence over major decisions.
Reference: The Illinois Public Library District Act of 1991 (75 ILCS 16/30-20) states that library district trustees are elected by the voters of the district. Specifically, it notes that “the board shall consist of 7 trustees elected by the voters of the district” (75 ILCS 16/30-20). This establishes direct voter accountability through elections.
Additional Reference: The Illinois Library Association’s Governance and Administration page confirms that “Illinois public libraries are governed by locally elected or appointed boards, which operate under the Illinois Public Library District Act (75 ILCS 16).” Elected boards ensure voters have a direct say in library governance.
Voter-Approved Funding via Tax Levies Logic: District libraries in Illinois are primarily funded through local property taxes, often approved or renewed via voter referenda (millages). This gives voters direct control over the library’s financial resources. If the library fails to meet community expectations, voters can reject tax levies, holding the library accountable.
Reference: The Administrative Ready Reference - Public Libraries and the Law notes that district libraries are “authorized to raise money through the levy of taxes for public library purposes” (75 ILCS 16/35-5). These tax levies often require voter approval, creating a mechanism for voter accountability.
Additional Reference: The Illinois Library Association’s Finance and Budget page states, “Illinois public libraries receive the bulk of their funding from local property tax revenues,” and emphasizes the need for “transparent documentation” to maintain public trust, reinforcing voter oversight through funding decisions.
Indirect Accountability Through Appointed Boards Logic: In cases where library boards are appointed rather than elected, accountability to voters is indirect. Appointing authorities (e.g., municipal or county officials) are typically elected, so voters influence the library through these officials.
Reference: The Illinois Library Association notes that public libraries may be governed by “locally elected or appointed boards” under the Illinois Public Library District Act (75 ILCS 16/) or the Illinois Local Library Act (75 ILCS 5/). When boards are appointed, the appointing officials (e.g., village or city officials) are elected, creating an indirect chain of accountability to voters.
Additional Reference: The Administrative Ready Reference highlights that district libraries are “wholly independent units of local government,” but when boards are appointed, they are accountable to the appointing authority, which is subject to voter elections.
Transparency and Public Oversight Requirements Logic: Illinois libraries are subject to transparency laws, such as the Illinois Open Meetings Act and public reporting requirements, which ensure accountability to the public. These laws require libraries to hold open meetings, publish budgets, and report financial activities, allowing voters to monitor performance and hold the library accountable.
Reference: The Marshall Public Library - Library Trustee Resources cites the Illinois Open Meetings Act as a requirement for public officials, including library trustees, ensuring that board meetings are accessible to the public and that decisions are transparent.
Additional Reference: The Administrative Ready Reference - Library Policies notes that under the Illinois Public Library Law (75 ILCS 16/30-55.35), the board is empowered to formulate rules and regulations to benefit the greatest number of residents, with transparency ensured through public access to policies and records.
Illinois Library Standards Reinforce Accountability Logic: The Illinois Public Library Standards, developed by the Illinois Library Association, set benchmarks for library performance and governance. These standards encourage libraries to align with community needs, and compliance is monitored by the Illinois State Library, ensuring accountability to the public. Libraries must show progress toward meeting these standards, which are tied to voter expectations through elected boards and funding.
Reference: The Illinois Public Library Standards (replacing Serving Our Public 4.0) is cited as a resource for measuring library success in fulfilling community needs. It includes governance standards that emphasize accountability to the public. The standards are mandated by Illinois law (75 ILCS 10/8.1), which requires libraries to meet or show progress toward these benchmarks.
Additional Reference: The Illinois Prairie District Public Library references the Serving Our Public: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries as a model for establishing policies that ensure services meet community expectations, reinforcing voter accountability through performance standards.
Summary of Accountability MechanismsDirect Accountability: Elected boards (75 ILCS 16/30-20) allow voters to choose trustees who set library policies and budgets. Voter-approved tax levies (75 ILCS 16/35-5) give the electorate control over funding.
Indirect Accountability: Appointed boards are accountable to elected officials, who are answerable to voters.
Transparency: The Illinois Open Meetings Act and public reporting requirements ensure voters can monitor library activities.
Standards: The Illinois Public Library Standards (mandated by 75 ILCS 10/8.1) ensure libraries align with community needs, with oversight from the Illinois State Library.
For further details on Illinois library laws, you can refer to: Illinois Public Library District Act: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=986...
Administrative Ready Reference: https://www.ilsos.gov/.../libraries/ready_reference.html
Illinois Public Library Standards: https://www.ila.org/.../illinois-public-library-standards)
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NOTE:
I would like to add that none of the information that I have gathered required setting foot in any library to find. While I believe that a library is an asset to any community, those in charge should consider the electronic age we live in and the library's relevance in the grand scheme of things of today's world when taking the publics money.
Put simply, don't overvalue your services; they are nice to have, but not necessary for the vast majority in today's world.
As one board member put it, "Learn to live within your means."
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Here are a couple of screenshots I grabbed from FB before I got banned from the group.
I was banned for posting the library financials as they gas lit readers and refuse to address the actual numbers.
