Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – It’s hard to argue with people when it comes to their property tax bills.

Just ask Springfield Public School Board member Micah Miller, who says District 186 is just trying to be responsible in its ask of taxpayers.

“Every year, I end up inevitably getting some messages on this,” said Miller.  “The way it’s covered looks like District 186 is doing something — sometimes it’s different than what other school districts do, or different than what we’ve done the year before.  Then, I have to go into a lot of arguing with my close friends about the rate of taxes in Illinois.  And, we agree, that taxes are too high in Illinois.”

Nevertheless, the District 186 board Monday approved a more than $129 million dollar property tax levy request for the coming year — about three percent more than the previous year.  The request must be filed with the County Clerk by the last Tuesday in December.

But, for your property tax bill, the district’s portion could go up as little as $7 a month, or as much as $19 per month, depending on the value of your home.

“Property is one of those rare items that appreciates each year in value,” said Miller.  “The rate of tax increase at least tries to account for that.”

Miller said at least we don’t live in Missouri, where he claims a number of items are taxed that aren’t in Illinois.

The property tax levy increase is equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index, which sits at 2.9%.

Levies for retirement, social security, Medicare, bond abatement, bond restructuring, and special education also were approved.