Understanding the Proposed 2026 Property Tax Levy
November 05, 2026
Pleasant Hill CUSD #3 is proposing a 2026 property tax levy of about $2.67 million before bond payments. This is approximately 19% more dollars than the amount asked for under the previous levy before bonds.
Illinois requires a Truth in Taxation public hearing when the proposed levy exceeds the prior-year comparison amount by more than 5%. Even though the district is requesting about 19% more in dollars before bonds, the projected total school tax rate, including bonds, is about $5.03 per $100 of taxable property value, slightly below Pike County’s 2025 rate of $5.04. The final rate and the taxable value of each property will determine the school portion of its tax bill.
| What we’re comparing | Previous levy | Proposed 2026 levy |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax dollars before bonds | About $2.24 million | About $2.67 million |
| Total school tax rate, including bonds, for Pike County | $5.04 | Estimated $5.03 |
Rates are per $100 of taxable property value. Calhoun County had a different previous rate. Final rates will be determined by the county clerks.
Even though the district is requesting about 19% more in property tax dollars before bonds, the projected total school tax rate, including bonds, is slightly lower than last year’s Pike County rate.
This is possible because the district’s tax base is expected to grow and the bond rate is projected to decrease. The district projects that the total taxable value of property across the district will grow by about 15%. When the tax base grows, the same tax rate can generate more money. For example, the proposed Education Fund rate stays the same, while projected revenue increases by about $218,000.
The district’s bond payment changes very little. Spreading that payment across a larger tax base lowers the projected bond rate enough to offset the increase in the rate before bonds.
Additional revenue helps cover salaries, benefits, supplies, and other school expenses. It also helps the district pay bills during the first months of the school year while waiting for property tax distributions. The district is increasing its request for employer Social Security costs after using available reserves to reduce last year’s request.
Your school tax bill depends on both the final school tax rate and the value the county uses to calculate your property taxes.
For a Pike County home worth approximately $105,800, the school portion of the bill would decrease by about $5 if the value used to calculate its taxes stays the same. This example is before exemptions. A homeowner whose taxable value increases could pay more, even with a slightly lower school tax rate.
Calhoun County had a different school tax rate in 2025, so the Pike County comparison does not describe the change for Calhoun properties. Final rates for each county will appear in the county computation reports, which the district expects beginning around June 2027.
