Residents in Lake Bluff and Lake Forest likely to see higher property taxes with levy increases

Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents will face higher property taxes next year, with local governments set to increase their respective levies.

The Lake Forest City Council voted for initial approval of a 4.51 % property tax increase at its Nov. 17 meeting. Finance Director Katie Skibbe said the increase would amount to about $165 on a $1 million home.

Skibbe said the city levies not only for itself but also for the Lake Forest Public Library, with the city representing about 22% of the total property tax bill and the library accounting for another 3%.

Separately, the City Council approved a series of fee increases for next year, mostly affecting the Deerpath Golf Course, parks and recreation services, and the use of Lake Forest police officers for private event security. Final approval is expected at the council’s Dec. 1 meeting.

In Lake Bluff, the village’s portion of the property tax levy is expected to rise nearly 3.3 %. That would result in an approximate $134 increase on an $850,000 home, according to Village Finance Director Bettina O’Connell.

The first reading of the levy increase is scheduled for the Nov. 24th board meeting.

(Like Lake Forest, the village also issues the levy for the public library.)

The village represents about 9 % of the overall Lake Bluff property tax bill, O’Connell said. While there are no current plans for additional fee increases, a water rate hike is still under consideration.

Also set to set their levy amounts in December include the Lake Bluff Park District, the three local public school districts, and the Lake Bluff Library.

Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/lake-bluff-lake-forest-tax-levies/