Crime & Safety
Kankakee County, IL Tax Hike Vote Nov. 3: Fire District Seeks 168% Increase
Momence, IL – Property owners in the Greater Momence Fire Protection District face an important decision Tuesday, November 3, as voters consider a referendum that would increase the district's limitin
By Jordan Mercer · 2026-10-27T23:44:30.121Z
Momence, IL – Property owners in the Greater Momence Fire Protection District face an important decision Tuesday, November 3, as voters consider a referendum that would increase the district's limiting property tax rate by approximately 168% to support additional emergency personnel and services.
According to the Momence Fire Protection District, the proposal would raise its limiting tax rate from 0.2385% to 0.6385%, providing additional funding for fire protection, emergency medical services, equipment and operations.
District officials estimate that a home valued at $100,000 would see approximately $133.33 in additional annual property taxes, equivalent to about $11.11 per month. Actual increases would depend on taxable property values and exemptions.
The proposed increase applies only to the fire district's portion of property taxes, not the entire property tax bill.
Currently, the department relies on paid on call firefighters and does not have full time or part time personnel continuously stationed at the firehouse.
Officials say this can create delays when firefighters must first travel to the station before responding to emergencies.
If approved, the district initially plans to staff four personnel Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., including at least two certified firefighter paramedics.
The additional revenue would also support training, equipment, medical supplies and future ambulance planning.
According to the district, Momence responds to approximately 400 fire calls annually, while dispatch recorded 1,431 EMS runs in 2025.
Riverside Medical Center currently provides contracted ambulance service. The fire district's long term goal is to establish its own EMS operations.
Officials acknowledge that higher property taxes are a significant consideration for homeowners.
The November 3 referendum will allow eligible district voters to decide whether to authorize the proposed tax rate increase.
Residents can review property tax information through the Kankakee County tax portal before voting.