How the proposed 1% school sales tax could affect local schools, property taxes, and Lake County homeowners.
When buyers ask me about a home, property taxes are almost always one of the first questions. So when something on the ballot could affect how our schools are funded, I want you to have the facts before you vote.
On November 3, 2026, Lake County voters will decide whether to approve a new 1% sales tax to fund public school facilities, school resource officers, and mental health professionals.
What Is the Proposed 1% School Sales Tax?
The Lake County School Facilty Sales Tax would add $1 for every $100 spent on taxable purchases, including restaurant meals, clothing, and household goods.
Groceries, medications, vehicles, and most services would be exempt.
Unlike property taxes, the sales tax would be paid by both residents and visitors shopping in Lake County. In fact, school districts cite a study estimating that approximately 52% of purchases in the county are made by non-residents.
How Would the Money Be Used?
Revenue would be distributed to eligible public school districts based on student enrollment, not where purchases are made.
Districts throughout Lake County would receive funding for approved purposes such as:
School repairs, renovations, and security improvements
Building infrastructure and construction debt
School resource officers and mental health professionals
The money could not be used for general teacher salaries or routine instructional expenses.
Could this lower property taxes? Potentially. School districts could use the additional revenue to pay existing building debt, which may reduce the amount needed from property taxes. However, districts could also use the funds for new improvements without lowering property tax bills.
What Does Your Vote Mean?
The November 3 ballot includes a “Proposition To Impose County School Sales Tax.”
Voting YES supports establishing the additional 1% sales tax to fund school facilities, school resource officers, and mental health professionals.
Voting NO opposes establishing the additional 1% sales tax.
For more information, visit the Lake County Regional Office of Education.
Why This Matters Locally
Whether you live in Wadsworth, Old Mill Creek, Lindenhurst, or elsewhere in Lake County, decisions about school funding can affect our communities and the cost of homeownership.
For a local example, Millburn District 24 has published a 2026–2032 Maintenance and Capital Improvement Plan outlining future facility needs. The proposed sales tax could help fund eligible improvements, although property tax relief is not guaranteed.
What This Means If You’re Buying or Selling
Property taxes are an important part of buying or selling a home in Lake County. While the referendum wouldn’t immediately change property tax bills, how individual school districts use the funding could affect future costs for homeowners.
Before You Vote
- Look up your sample ballot on the Lake County Clerk’s website
- Check your school district’s website for how they plan to use the funds
- Visit the Lake County Regional Office of Education for the official overview
Questions about property taxes, school districts, or how they factor into buying or selling a home in Lake County? I’m always happy to help, whether you’re planning a move now or just exploring your options.
Daina Jacobson is a REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago who helps buyers and sellers navigate the real estate markets in Northern Lake County, Illinois, and southern Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Based in Wadsworth, Illinois, she specializes in homes with land, acreage properties, and homes served by private wells and septic systems.
Before entering real estate, Daina spent two decades working as a certified interpreter fluent in American Sign Language, a background that shaped her ability to listen carefully and guide clients through complex decisions with clarity.
When she’s not assisting clients, Daina devotes time to animal rescue as one of the co-founders of Two Furs Rescue. At home in Wadsworth she enjoys caring for her many animals, including cats, a dog, chickens, and ducks, while also planting and preserving native plants and trees around her property.