Illinois Statutes Chapter 60. Townships § 1/200-12. Tax increase; referendum

(a) A township with a population of less than 100,000 may levy taxes at a rate in excess of 0.02% of the value of all taxable property within the township as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue if the increase is approved by the voters as provided in this Section. The township board may, by ordinance, place the question of whether the tax rate of the township should be increased from 0.02% to 0.125% for fire protection, rescue, and emergency vehicles and equipment on the ballot at any election. The township board shall certify the question to the proper election officials, who shall submit the question at an election in accordance with the general election law. The question shall be in the following form.

Shall the maximum allowable tax rate for the (name of township) Township, be increased from 0.02% to 0.125% of the value of all taxable property within the township as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue for fire protection, rescue, and emergency vehicles and equipment?

The votes shall be recorded as “Yes” or “No”.

The result of the referendum shall be entered upon the records of the township. If a majority of the voters at the election vote in favor of the proposition, the township may levy taxes annually at a tax extendable rate not to exceed 0.125% of the value of all taxable property within the township as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue.

A referendum held under this Section shall be conducted in accordance with the Election Code.  1

(b) The township board may levy the taxes at a rate in excess of 0.125% but not in excess of 0.40% of the value of all taxable property within the township as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue. The tax may not be levied until the question of levying the tax has been submitted to the electors of the township at a regular election and approved by a majority of the electors voting on the question. The township board shall certify the question to the proper election officials, who shall submit the question at an election in accordance with the general election law. The proposition shall be in substantially the following form:

Shall the maximum allowable tax rate for the (insert name of township) township fire department be increased from 0.125% to 0.40% of the value of all taxable property within the township as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue?

The votes shall be recorded as “Yes” or “No”.

The results of the referendum shall be entered upon the records of the township. If a majority of the electors voting on the question vote in the affirmative, the township board may thereafter levy the tax.