Voters turn down Antioch rescue squad ballot issue

Voters in Antioch and Antioch Township have rejected a proposal to raise taxes to fund a rescue squad at the Antioch Fire Department, according to unofficial tallies late Tuesday.

The Antioch Township referendum question shows 2,018 voting "no" and 1,417 voting "yes" with all 14 precincts reporting. In Antioch, 2,139 voted "no," while 1,925 voted "yes" with all 13 precincts reporting.

Voters considered whether to create a new tax rate and raise property taxes by 25 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation to fund the fire department's rescue squad and ambulance service.

Late-arriving votes by mail and provisional ballots were not included in the tallies. All votes are unofficial until provisional ballots can be counted in two weeks, and the vote is canvassed by village and township boards.

Antioch Fire Chief John Nixon said previously the new tax rate would generate about $1.5 million in the first year. The new revenue would mostly fund personnel and equipment maintenance, he said, but some money would be used for capital improvements.

•Daily Herald Staff Writer Lee Filas contributed to this report.