64th Dist. House hopefuls support sales tax referendum

The candidates for the 64th State District House seat say there is only one way they'd support an additional sales tax in McHenry County that would fund local education.

And that's if you want it, first.

"I would never vote for a tax increase, but I would allow it to be voter-approved, to run a referendum to determine how they may want to pay for schools," said incumbent Republican

state Rep. Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake.

Right now, McHenry County's sales-tax rate is 7.25 percent. Algonquin and Crystal Lake charge a certain rate on top of the county's.

If voters approve, Tryon envisions a scenario in which the county's regional superintendent of education would dole out funds generated by an increased sales tax rate.

Democratic challenger Robert Kaempfe admitted he isn't as informed on the issue as Tryon, but said of the referendum suggestion "on the surface, it sounds like a good idea,"

And it's one he would throw his weight behind - if officials could guarantee the money would stay in McHenry County.

"What's going on (in Springfield) isn't working, we've got to think outside the box," Kaempfe said.

But the Crystal Lake Democrat expressed concern that a higher sales tax in McHenry County could force patrons to take their business elsewhere. "What's to keep someone from doing that?" he said.

The 64th House district includes Algonquin, Huntley, Lake in the Hills and Crystal Lake.

Tryon is running for his third, two-year term.