Plainfield Library Referendum Fails Again

PLAINFIELD, IL -- Voters said no – again – Tuesday to a referendum that would have funded a $25 million addition and building renovation at the Plainfield Public Library District.

The referendum failed by more than 2,000 votes, with 2,469 people casting "yes" votes compared with 4,663 "no" votes.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't make the case as strongly as we needed to" for the importance of library services, library board president Carl F. Gilmore said Tuesday night.

Last March, a limiting rate increase failed by more than 6,000 votes. That defeat played a role in the departure of Library Director Julie Milavec, who said at the time, “I felt stymied here in Plainfield so I was seeking a new challenge.” Her role has ye to be filled, with Lisa Pappas continuing to serve as interim director.

The $25 million referendum would have funded a 23,000-square-foot one-story addition to the north side of the existing 27,ooo-square-foot split-level library on Illinois Street. It also would have paid for expanded library hours, including year-round Sunday hours, more meeting space and a drive-up to return items.

The tax increase would have amounted to $10.67 per month, or $128.04 per year, for the owner of a $237,000 home.

What's next for the library district?

"We need to have somebody come in like we did five years ago and do a building evaluation," Gilmore said, along with working to build up reserve funds to pay for improvements. "The real issue here is that we've had this explosion of population in our district ... but we did not ever capture that tax base."

All results are unofficial until April 25.