Lake County GOP launches opposition to school sales tax referendum

The question before Lake County voters Nov. 3 of whether a 1% sales tax should be imposed to fund school-related improvements and other expenses is facing stiff opposition.

On Thursday, the Lake County Republican Central Committee launched a campaign against the measure, saying families already are stretched thin by rising costs and high taxes.

“This is not a Democrat issue or a Republican issue,” said committee Chair Dawn Abernathy. “This is a resident of Lake County issue.”

Volunteers are knocking on doors and distributing information in all 18 county townships to ensure voters understand the potential impact of a sales tax hike before heading to the polls.

Abernathy said schools need to be more frugal rather than seeking another tax during tough times. Lake County has the seventh-highest property tax rate among the nation’s 3,136 counties, according to the committee, and per-student spending has risen nearly 50% since 2019.

“We need smart fiscal management from our local government and school boards, not a never-ending, open-ended blank check at the expense of our hard-working citizens,” Abernathy said in announcing the initiative.

State lawmakers created the County School Facilities Sales Tax in 2007 as an alternative revenue source to local property taxes. If the referendum is successful, a countywide sales tax of up to 1% can be imposed.

The funds would be used exclusively for school facility purposes, or hiring school resource officers and mental health professionals.

Groceries, cars, trucks and other vehicles, services and prescription and over-the-counter medications would not be taxed, according to information posted by the Lake County Regional Office of Education.

Twenty-three school districts representing a majority of Lake County’s student population approved resolutions asking for the question on the November ballot.

If passed, the tax revenue would provide an alternative to property taxes for funding school facility needs, according to information on the Mundelein High School District 120 website. An estimated 53% of purchases are made by nonresidents, the site says.

“Lake County should use sales taxes — including money paid by visitors — to pay for roofs, HVAC, security and school construction instead of putting those costs onto property tax bills,” said Andy Friedlieb, president of Lake County Federation of Teachers #504.

He said a dedicated revenue source for school buildings would help districts perform preventive maintenance and be a cost-effective way to make buildings last longer and reduce costs when a facility needs repair.

mzawislak@dailyherald.com