By Mark Weyermuller -
The Kenilworth Library District with a population of 2500 residents has a property tax levy of $315,000 yet they have no building & NO BOOKS. They spend $27,000 in admin costs to give that money to the Wilmette & Winnetka libraries on a contract basis. Information on this district can be found HERE.
Anybody can use these libraries for free from any community with no photo identification is required to enter and read books on site. My understanding is only residents can check out books to take off site.
Last week I attended one the Kenilworth Library Board meetings. They have five board meetings a year yet they have no building and no books in their village. I asked a variety of questions during a four minute presentation for public comment. As per Illinois' Open Meetings Act, any person can attend and speak at these meetings.
During my comments, I raised a number of questions about library access, the budget, a variety of line item expenditures, and specifically why they need a library district with no physical library building.
One proposal is for Kenilworth residents to opt in voluntarily for library access in other communities to eliminate the mandatory tax on their property tax bills. I’ve heard non-residents can join a library if they live outside the community for a fee.
I propose Kenilworth abolish the library district and either stop taxing residents or have the village board administer give the money to neighboring libraries. This town has a separate park district board and a village board which operates other agencies in the town like police and fire departments.
The library budget can be reviewed at this LINK. I’ve highlighted a variety of their expenses.
One expense is $175 a year to join the America Library Association (ALA), yet they have no building and no books.
They spend $3800 to audit the district, yet they have no building and no books. There is a line item of $1000 for advertising, yet with no building and no books I’m unclear what would be advertised.
There is a line item of $3141 for “per capital grants” with no explanation. It appears the library is giving out money for something, yet no building and no books.
They spend $16,360 to administer the district, yet they have no building snd no books. They spend $1400 on insurance yet they have no building and no books. What exactly do they need to insure?
They spend $250 on legal costs. That’s maybe 1-3 hours of attorney hours. I wonder what they got for that, as they have no building and no books?
On a side note, it appears in a budget that the Wilmette Library rents a parking lot to the west from the village for $12,000’s year.
Since this is public land, can that lot be used for free? That would save $12,000 that could be use elsewhere or refunded to taxpayers. It seems odd one taxing district in the same town is paying another for free land owned by the taxpayers. The reason I mention this line item is part of the Kenilworth tax money goes into the Wilmette Library budget.
This is one example of the 7000 taxing districts in Illinois with 43,000 elected officials. Illinois has the most taxing districts of all 50 states. I am pro-library, yet I question the millions being spent. For students in the community, they have two additional library options at the Sears Grade School and New Trier High School.
I’m awaiting more feedback from the board, administrators, and members of the community for a followup story.
We need to look at lowering the size, scope, and cost of government. Again, I am looking at how government operates and how to cut taxes while maintaining services.
Mark Weyermuller is a small business person, retired real estate professional, police advocate, and conservative activist in Chicago. He is a citizen journalist, frequent guest on talk radio, and regular contributor to Illinois Review.
