Deer Park voters approve local sales tax hike

Deer Park voters resoundingly approved a ballot proposal Tuesday that will allow village government to collect more local sales tax to help pay for stormwater drainage improvements and other infrastructure projects.

With all precincts counted in Lake and Cook counties, unofficial results show the measure was approved 368-135.

Deer Park's portion of the sales tax rate will increase on July 1 by a quarter percentage point, to a half percent, meaning it would cost a consumer an extra 25 cents for every $100 purchased, excluding pharmaceutics, qualified groceries and vehicles. Deer Park's overall sales tax rate will be 7.5 percent, the same as or below nearby villages.

About $400,000 in extra annual revenue is expected, which will help pay for drainage upgrades and other infrastructure needs.