The September 30 Deadline is Nearing for Submitting Claims for Reimbursement from TIF Funds for Students Residing in TIF Districts

September 30 is the deadline for school districts to submit a claim for reimbursement to their local city or village for students residing in housing supported by tax increment financing (TIF).  Under the TIF Act, a school district is entitled to a payment from TIF funds for “increased costs attributable to assisted housing units located within the [TIF] redevelopment project area.” 65 ILCS 5/11-74.4-3(q)(7.5).  The amount of the payment will depend on several factors, including the number of students in the TIF and whether the school district is an elementary district, a high school district, or a unit district.  The state funding the school district receives also factors into the reimbursement formula.

The TIF Act provides that any school district seeking payment shall, after July 1 and before September 30 of each year, provide the municipality with “reasonable evidence to support [the school district’s] claim for reimbursement” before the municipality shall be required to make the payment.  If the school district fails to provide the information before September 30 in any year, it forfeits any claim to reimbursement for that year. 

A school district with a TIF district in all or part of the school district’s boundaries should review whether there are students residing in the TIF district and determine whether it has a claim for reimbursement.  Please note that some school districts may have intergovernmental agreements (IGA) with their local municipality concerning such payments and other matters, including the distribution of surplus TIF increments.  Any such IGA should be consulted for procedures to be used in making a reimbursement request and documentation that may be required. School districts should make a point of reviewing TIF districts annually and before September 30 in order to identify any new students residing in a TIF district and whether a reimbursement claim is appropriate.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a Robbins Schwartz attorney.