Lake County sales tax hike gains more support

Another Lake County school district is interested in a new state law allowing creation of a sales tax increase to help pay for construction-related expenses and projects.

Mundelein-based Diamond Lake Elementary District 76 officials are studying whether seeking the sales tax hike is a good idea. A recommendation to the school board on whether to back the tax might come in the next couple of months, said Business Manager Colette Ford.

Under the state law effective since October, the sales-tax boost must be pursued on a countywide level. School boards representing at least 51 percent of the student population of a county are allowed to pass resolutions to get the sales tax question on the ballot. Voters have the final say.

Local county boards also can put the school construction tax to a vote. Cook is the only county in Illinois excluded from the law.

Ford said Diamond Lake District 76 board members were informed about the new law last month. She said it's likely the district's administration will have a recommendation in the next couple of months.

"On the face of it, it looks like it can be a positive thing for school districts," Ford said Tuesday.

Ford said the one downside to the idea is having to ask Lake County voters to approve a tax increase.

Grayslake High School District 127 officials last month said weren't interested in pursuing the tax after receiving an informal presentation.

Voters would see the sales tax question -- up to a 1 percentage point increase -- if enough Lake County schools want it on the ballot at the next opportunity in November. All county schools would be eligible for the extra cash if the sales tax were approved.

Money from the sales tax would help pay for renovations, new buildings, architects, land acquisition and other construction-related costs.

Regional school superintendents would distribute the tax proceeds based on pupil enrollment, which districts must deposit in a special construction fund. Students with the biggest student population would get the most cash.

Williamson County in southern Illinois will have the school sales tax referendum question on the ballot Feb. 5. Carterville Unit District 5 Superintendent Tim Bleyer said the proposed one percentage point hike would produce an estimated $7.5 million in additional revenue for five school systems.

Bleyer said a slight boost for the cost of merchandise in Williamson County would reduce the need to raise property taxes for school construction projects. He said the hike, if passed, would allow Carterville to build a new high school, which has been in limbo.

"We've been waiting for a (state) construction grant since 2002," Bleyer said.

Lake County's school superintendents are expected to discuss the sales tax at a gathering later this month.