Constituents straddling county lines rejected a referendum in Tuesday’s election regarding Hinsdale School District 86, with a majority of voters opposing the proposal that would have authorized $76 million in bonds to be shared between two high schools.
Registered voters in DuPage and Cook counties turned down the proposal.
With all 83 precincts reporting, DuPage results indicated a decisive rejection: Residents opposed the initiative by a three to one ratio. Votes in favor totaled just 2,938, while the county tallied 8,867 votes opposing the measure.
In Cook County—a smaller part of the jurisdiction with just four precincts and 490 votes cast—the result was much closer, with a hairline difference of less than a half of a percent: 49.26 percent in favor and 50.74 percent against.
The bonds would have financed school improvements at two Hinsdale area high schools—Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South—but in differing proportions, according to the Chicago Tribune. Based on reports to the publication from school officials, most of the money would have been designated for Hinsdale Central due to its older structure and higher student population.
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