Elgin senior tax rebate stays

Citing logistical issues, Elgin leaders opted Wednesday night to keep a senior tax rebate program for this year instead of swapping it for vouchers good at Elgin businesses.

Since 1996, the city has issued $200 checks to senior homeowners using profits from the casino.

In July, city leaders suggested converting the checks to vouchers good at area businesses would be a good way to inject some $750,000 into the local economy.

Jim Nowicki, the city's fiscal services manager, said implementing the program could take at least 10 weeks. Logistics - creating awareness, producing authentic vouchers and having city staff reimburse businesses - were daunting.

"Good or great ideas don't always translate to good policy," said Sean Stegall, city manager. "There appears to be as many downsides as there are positives."

Council members acknowledged that feedback from seniors was negative. Councilman Bob Gilliam said the issue was like touching the "third rail."

"It's too late to change. We'll look at it next year," Gilliam said.

That's if there will be a next year for the program. In the 1990s, the program was launched with the stipulation that the city's share of casino profits exceeds $13.2 million. The smoking ban and recession have eroded revenues, and the planned casino in Des Plaines is expected to make matters worse.

"There is a very good chance in the near term we won't make that threshold," Stegall said.

Normally, the rebate checks would have been mailed in July. Nowicki said the city will mail them next week.

Rebate: Senior feedback negative