Hold vote on grocery tax

The proposed 1% grocery tax in Mount Prospect is presented as a replacement for the state’s repealed tax, but a tax is a tax, whether it’s on groceries, property or fees. Residents will bear the burden, paying extra money out of their pockets and having Mount Prospect take more out of hard-earned paychecks.

This grocery tax is inherently regressive, disproportionately impacting lower-income households who spend a larger share of their income on essentials like food. Everyone needs to eat, making this tax unavoidable and unfair, especially for those least able to afford it.

The village claims the tax preserves revenue without raising property taxes, yet it fails to address cost-cutting measures. Mount Prospect’s $33.9 million surplus from 2022–2024 shows financial strength, yet there’s no evidence of efforts to streamline spending or reduce operational costs. Instead, the Village opts for an easy revenue grab, ignoring the burden on residents already facing rising costs. This approach signals a lack of fiscal discipline, potentially risking the village’s credit rating if it relies on new taxes rather than prudent budgeting.

Bensenville offers a better model. By holding an advisory referendum, it empowered residents, who overwhelmingly rejected the grocery tax. Mount Prospect should follow suit, letting residents decide rather than imposing a tax by board fiat. A referendum ensures transparency and accountability, aligning with democratic values.

Rejecting the grocery tax would push Mount Prospect to innovate, finding savings or alternative revenues without penalizing residents for buying necessities. Let’s prioritize fairness and fiscal responsibility—say no to the grocery tax and demand a vote, as Bensenville did, to protect our community’s most vulnerable.

Augie Filippone

Mount Prospect