Elgin Community College bond issue referendum, 2009

An Elgin Community College bond issue referendum was on the April 7, 2009 ballot in Kane County, Cook County, DuPage County, McHenry County and DeKalb County. The measure was approved by the slim margin of 27 votes in the unofficial total; 19,456 votes were cast in favor and 19,427 against.a

Arguments in support

The college provides the following arguments in support:

• This referendum will allow ECC to issue bonds to fund critical facility expansions to move students off waiting lists and into job training for high-demand fields.
• This referendum would protect our local economy
• ECC currently lacks adequate job training facilities to meet the demand of qualified applicants in fields like healthcare and public safety
• This addresses healthcare workforce shortages – protecting your health and providing skilled workers

Financial impact

According to the college, "taxpayers with a $200,000 property value would pay approximately $23 per year, or less than $2 a month, which would be directed exclusively towards capital improvement projects. No referendum dollars will be used for college operating expenses."

Text of measure

Shall the Board of Trustees of Elgin Community College District No. 509, Counties of Kane, Cook, DuPage, McHenry and DeKalb and State of Illinois, be authorized to build and equip a Health Careers Center, a Library and a Regional Public Safety Training Facility, build, equip, alter, renovate and repair community college buildings, build and equip additions to community college buildings, purchase, improve and equip land for community college purposes, install technology and issue bonds of said Community College District to the amount of $178,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

External links

• Elgin Community College - April 7, 2009 Bond Referendum