Lake County voters reject 1% sales tax to help fund schools

Already facing rising costs, Lake County voters Tuesday decisively rejected a proposal to allow the county to impose a 1% sales tax with proceeds targeted for specific school-related uses.

A tough sell in any environment, this request fell flat for voters who may have agreed with the concept but felt it the wrong time to ask already stretched consumers to shoulder another expense.

Unofficial estimated totals showed 57% of voters against and 43% in favor. The county clerk’s office reported technical difficulties which delayed vote posting. As of 11 p.m., Election Day and early voting ballots had been added and only vote-by-mail ballots were listed as being partially included.

Still, the percentage of voters against the 1% school sales tax held firm when a fourth batch was released. The question was the only one of nine referendums on the ballot that all county voters had a say in.

Supporters contended 52% of purchases are made by nonresidents and groceries, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, titled vehicles and services are among items that would be excluded from the tax.

However, the question faced organized opposition from the Lake County Republican Central Committee, which led an active volunteer campaign with yard signs and flyers and door knocking across all 18 Lake County townships.

The eight-member Barrington Area Council of Governments also was unanimously opposed, citing concerns about widespread rising costs. The organization said the tax increase may still pull more than $60 million per year from the pockets of Lake County residents.

The County School Facilities Sales Tax was created by state law in 2007 as an alternative source of revenue to local property taxes. The question was put on the ballot by the Lake County Regional Office of Education after 23 school districts representing 60% of Lake County’s student population approved resolutions asking it be included.

Regional Superintendent Michael Karner said some estimates showed from $103 million to $122 million would have been generated to be disbursed to schools based on enrollment.

Besides building and safety-related improvements, including additions or renovations, the proceeds also could have been used for school resource officers or mental health professionals. Managing debt by paying off existing bonds or abating property taxes were other allowable uses.

The Lake County Federation of Teachers, Local 504, organized in support with the slogan “Vote Yes for Kids.” The local will join the Illinois Federal of Teachers during the fall veto session in Springfield to lobby for full funding of all public schools and other issues, said Andy Friedlieb, Local 504 president.

Currently, 58 of the 102 counties in Illinois impose a County School Facilities sales tax, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue.

mzawislak@dailyherald.com