Sales Taxes

A summary of issue positions held by incumbent council member Jenna Kearns and challenger Ben Zimmerman.

The three candidates participated in a WGLT forum to answer questions submitted by the voters, each making their pitch for the leadership style they want for Normal.

Schools could use the extra cash to fund mental health resources, upgrade and maintain facilities or lessen community property taxes.

A vast majority of school districts in McLean County have formally endorsed asking voters for a countywide sales tax to support schools.

The Unit 5 and District 87 school boards and several other districts in McLean County have voted to put a sales tax referendum on the April 1 ballot. The proposed 1% sales tax would raise money for school facilities, school resource officers, and mental health programming.

Board members celebrated successes and planned to address shortcomings highlighted by a yearly state report. They also discussed the yearly tax levy and the idea of implementing a sales tax.

Mayor Chris Koos is pushing back on the position that natural revenue growth can make up for the upcoming loss of grocery sales tax revenue.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos said adding specific protections from discrimination for transgender and non-binary people to the town human relations ordinance is a necessary public signal.

Normal City Manager Pam Reece said she will recommend creating a local grocery tax once the state tax goes away.

A report looking at the potential impact of eliminating Illinois’ grocery tax suggests most families would only see modest relief, while municipalities would face a “consequential” revenue shortfall.