Winnetka's elementary school district is borrowing $8.5 million from Cook County just to cover payroll and keep buildings running, a direct cost of the two-month property tax billing delay now hitting every taxing body on the North Shore.

The District 36 school board voted 7-0 Tuesday, Aug. 18, to authorize the bridge loan through Cook County's Local Taxing District Loan Program. The vote was unanimous. Board president Mr. Waters called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m.; the entire session lasted 44 minutes.

The district, which operates a roughly $50 million annual budget, expects the funds in its account by Aug. 22. The loan itself carries no interest from the county, but the Tax Anticipation Warrant instrument costs the district approximately $25,000 at the 3.6% federal funds rate, according to board meeting minutes. District 36's FY27 tentative budget, also approved unanimously at the same meeting, projects a $716,000 operating surplus despite the cash-flow crunch.

Repayment begins when Cook County distributes the first property tax revenue, expected to be about $2 million. There is no fixed repayment schedule beyond that.

Cook County announced in June that second installment property tax bills would be delayed roughly two months. Bills are now expected to be mailed Sept. 1, according to the Daily Herald. The county reopened its $300 million bridge fund for the third time to help local governments manage the gap.

The board minutes describe the borrowing as a response to "last year's debacle," when second installment bills arrived months late due to problems with the county's new computer system.

Open-space zoning could limit district's property rights

At the same meeting, the superintendent briefed trustees on a separate issue with long-term implications: the Village of Winnetka's proposed open-space zoning district.

The village is moving to rezone roughly 40 to 45 publicly owned properties, including school grounds, parks, the library parcel and village-owned land, into a new open-space district. Under the proposal, only uses the village operates for "essential public service" would be allowed by right. Schools, the library and park operations would all require special use approval from the village.

For District 36, the practical effect is significant. The district's school properties are currently zoned residential, which means the board retains the right to sell land to a private developer. The superintendent cited the space between Skokie School and Washburne as an example that could, under current zoning, become a residential development. That flexibility would disappear under the open-space overlay without village approval.

The board's position, as stated in the meeting minutes: the district wants to preserve maximum flexibility over its own property and plans to align its advocacy with New Trier High School District 203.

Village President Bob Dearborn said at the July 21 Village Council meeting that there is "absolutely no intent to change the operations" of schools, the park district or the library. But the Plan Commission public hearing is targeted for September, with a Village Council vote expected in October. Because the rezoning requires mailed notice within 250 feet of each affected property, more than 2,500 Winnetka households could receive hearing notices, Our Town Winnetka reported.

North Shore Business Week Ahead

The September Plan Commission hearing date on the open-space zoning proposal has not been publicly confirmed. Property owners within 250 feet of affected parcels should watch for mailed notices. The Village of Winnetka community development office can be reached at 847-501-6000 or at the village website.