Oak Park Aware

Did you know?

$6.7 million

Property tax money controlled by a five-member board, completely separate from the Village of Oak Park. Are you aware of how this money is spent?

How it’s spent Who decides?

Billed for tax year 2025, paid in 2026.15,16 On average, $285 per household or $122 per resident.4 How we calculated this →

How it’s spent

The Township’s expenses were $9.6 million in fiscal 2026 (April 2025 to March 2026). Property tax covered 66%. Grants, fees and reserves covered the rest.17

  • Seniors rides, meals, care coordination$3.89M
  • Mental health grants to local agencies$1.96M
  • General government administration, clerk, assessor$1.77M
  • Youth programs and partner agencies$1.25M
  • General Assistance last-resort cash aid$0.70M

Audited expenses. Not shown: $1,174 of interest.17

Five elected officials decide — not the Village Board.

The Township has its own elected board, budget, tax levy and audit. The Supervisor and four trustees vote on the budget and levy. A Township Manager runs daily operations.17

A nine-member Community Mental Health Board allocates the mental health grants. The Supervisor appoints its members with the board’s consent.17,18

Questions about Township taxes? Ask the Township board.

Show up. Or run.

Next board meeting

, 7 p.m.

Check the agenda for the location.20 No member of the public attended the June 2026 hearing on the current budget.19

Agendas & finances

Next election

Seven offices are on the ballot: Supervisor, four trustees, Clerk and Assessor.17

Questions, answered briefly

Is Oak Park Aware anti-Township?

No. Many neighbors rely on the Township’s services. Our goal is to increase awareness of, and engagement in, local government. A more aware community is a stronger community.

Why do we need a separate Township from the Village of Oak Park?

That’s a valid question, and a more engaged community can help decide. In 2018, Oak Park voters approved an advisory referendum to consolidate the Village, Township, Library and Park District.21,22 No merger followed and the status quo of four separate taxing bodies has remained.

How much of my tax bill goes to the Township?

About 2.4%, based on 2023 tax rates, the latest audited breakdown.9 Look for three lines: Town of Oak Park, General Assistance and Oak Park Mental Health District. The $285 per household is an average: it includes tax paid by businesses, and individual bills vary.