Sales tax hike on Deer Park ballot

Shopping in Deer Park could be getting a bit more expensive.

Deer Park village officials will ask voters Feb. 5 to approve a 0.5 percentage-point sales-tax increase, or an additional half-cent on the dollar.

Village Administrator Jim Connors said the extra money it would bring into the village -- an estimated $650,000 to $750,000 -- would be used for public infrastructure.

Shoppers now pay a 6.5 percent sales tax in town.

Connors said even with the increase, Deer Park would remain in line with sales tax rates in surrounding towns and large shopping districts like Deer Park Town Center.

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, almost all Barrington-area communities have sales tax rates between 6.5 percent and 8.75 percent.

In Schaumburg, home of Woodfield Shopping Center, the sales tax is 8.75 percent. Mount Prospect, which has Randhurst Mall, is 8.5 percent.

Like Schaumburg, Deer Park imposes no property tax on residents.

Even though Deer Park trustees unanimously approved seeking the tax increase, Trustee Bob Kellerman said he's concerned about how the new money would be spent.

While there's an amendment to the referendum ordinance defining public infrastructure as "roads and drainage," Kellerman said village attorneys advised him this is not binding and the money could be spent any way trustees choose.

"If the money really was earmarked for roads and drainage, I would be fully supportive," Kellerman said.

Instead, he said he'll leave the decision up to the voters.

"This will permit the residents to express their opinions," Kellerman said.

Connors said the village will hold public information sessions in the coming months to educate residents about the proposed increase.