Cook County Board of Commissioners set levy for 2021

The Cook County Board of Commissioners agreed to set the 2021 levy at an increase of 3.95 percent over the current funding year.

The motion was made by Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk. It passed on a unanimous 4-0 vote.

The preliminary levy was set in September at a 4.16 percent increase. This meant the levy could not exceed this amount when it was set during Tuesday’s meeting, though it could be lowered. When compared, a change to 3.95 percent from 4.16 percent is a difference of $23,500 with regard to the overall county budget for 2021.

There was a lengthy discussion about the impact on local taxpayers by either lowering the levy or leaving at more than four percent.

Ultimately, the commissioners agreed that unforeseen economic challenges could be waiting for local government, particularly when it comes to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and funding that the county receives from the federal government for land in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

There were few concerns raised during the recent Truth in Taxation meeting from local taxpayers concerning the levy or how Cook County government spends money.

Joe Friedrichs December 22, 2020