Will voters back a new sales tax to fund Lake County school needs?

An initiative for a countywide sales tax to fund public school needs continues to advance toward a referendum in the fall.

Mundelein High School District 120 is the latest district to agree to a referendum on the November ballot asking voters whether they would support a County School Facilities Sales Tax.

The action Monday doesn't mean the District 120 board favors or opposes a sales tax but that they support giving voters an opportunity to choose, according to Peter Gill, district spokesperson.

Whether the question will appear in November is to be determined as public school districts throughout the county consider the matter.

State law authorizes school districts representing a majority of students in any county, other than Cook County, to impose a countywide sales tax of up to 1% after a successful referendum.

If approved, the sales tax can be used to fund school facility improvements, mental health professionals and school resource officers. Applicable projects include safety and security, roof repairs, energy efficiency improvements, additions, renovations, new facilities, land acquisition and demolition.

The sales tax also could be used to pay off facility bonds and reduce property taxes.

The money can’t be used for textbooks or computers, school buses, salaries (except school resource officers and/or mental health professionals), detached furniture and fixtures.

If the majority number is reached in Lake, resolutions would be submitted to the Lake County Clerk's Office by the Lake County Regional Office of Education. The deadline to get a referendum on the November ballot is Aug. 26.

There are 117,037 students in 45 public school districts in Lake County, according to Michael Karner, regional superintendent of schools. So far, seven districts representing just under 18% of the student population have submitted resolutions, Karner said Wednesday.

Lake is among 18 eligible Illinois counties where the question has yet to be put to voters since the law enabling the tax was passed in 2007.

According to a District 120 FAQ, the sales tax would provide a sustainable alternative revenue stream to offset at-risk federal funding and underfunded state mandates.

The sales tax would apply to most general merchandise, including restaurants, electronics and gasoline. Fresh produce, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, licensed vehicles and services would be exempt.