Reviews & Comments
Tolono, IL
Lac of return on property taxes -
10/25/2008I have lived in Tolono for 3+ years and live in a newer subdivision, which was developed in agreement of a TIF district. Great neighbors but the town of Tolono is wanting. Small town politics are interesting. Lack of transparency and clarity as to where tax dollars are spent. (Mayor and police chief are under lawsuit for sexual harassment and have gone unpunished by village board.) High property taxes tend to hit those in the TIF district hard and expect a significant increase every year. Education in IL is funded through local and county governments and older properties have gone underassessed through the years, so I would recommend buying outside of the TIF.
Two new elementary schools and decent middle school but the high school is 50+ years in age and no plans for a new one until new funds are available (sales tax to increase and property taxes will be raised again). High school's pride is its football team. Lack of emphasis on academics. Few students surprisingly go on to the nearby University of Illinois.
Lots of train noise as Tolono began due to a crossing of a north-south and east-west trainlines.