Grayslake schools say let voters decide on sales tax

Another school district is on board with the idea of letting voters decide whether to approve a Lake County sales tax increase to help pay for construction-related expenses.

Grayslake Elementary District 46 board members late Monday voted 5-2 in favor of a November countywide sales tax referendum question on whether to hike the sales tax by 1 percentage point. District 46 board members Jill Rohrer and Kristen Coe Peek voted against the proposal.

Under a new state law, school boards representing at least 51 percent of the student population of a county are allowed to adopt resolutions to place the sales tax proposition on the ballot. Local county boards can put the tax boost to a vote on their own or at the request of school boards.

All Lake County schools are projected to receive $550 per student annually if the sales tax rises by 1 percentage point. The state law allows the cash to be used for school renovations, architects, new buildings, land acquisition and other construction-related expenses.

Moreover, the sales tax receipts could be applied toward paying off debt from previous building projects.

In addition to Grayslake District 46, the following districts want voters to decide on a 1 percentage point sales tax boost: Woodland Elementary, Zion Benton High, Waukegan Unit, Big Hollow Elementary, Grant High, Lake Villa Elementary, Millburn Elementary and Mundelein High.

Lake County's sales tax is 6.5 percent. However, the total amount of sales tax varies in individual communities.

Apparel, furniture and hardware would be subjected to the tax hike. It wouldn't apply to food, medicine, vehicles and medical supplies.

Voters in Williamson County in southern Illinois became the first to approve a 1 percentage point sales tax hike for schools in February.