Burr Ridge Raises Sales Tax For Most Retailers

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge trustees voted Monday to impose an additional 1 percent sales tax for stores, restaurants and a hotel inside a newly formed business district that includes most of the village's retailers.

The tax money would benefit the district itself with such things as buildings, roads, utilities, demolition of buildings and renovations of existing ones, officials said. The district consists of Village Center, County Line Square and the Marriott.

Officials also contended the improvements would increase the property tax base, thus benefitting schools and parks. At Monday's Village Board meeting, the leaders of the local elementary school and park districts were on hand to support the measure.

Ramzi Hassan, owner of the Village Center, said Monday the village's new sales tax would best be used for public infrastructure. He said the benefits far outweigh the costs. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Supporters further argued many customers in the shopping centers and hotel come from outside town, so out-of-towners would bear the brunt of the tax.

Mayor Gary Grasso said the Village Center has never been fully occupied in its more than a decade in existence. And he said County Line Square also has some vacancies.

Village Center owner Ramzi Hassan said the money from the tax would best be used for public infrastructure. This would help develop surrounding areas, he said.

"That would give Burr Ridge an edge over a neighboring municipality. You're always looking for some kind of an edge," Hassan said. "I'm never for raising taxes, but this is a consumption tax that most people won't know the difference and we're getting it from outside of Burr Ridge."

John Garber, son of the County Line Square owner Bob Garber, also supported the business district and tax.

"If you live in the area, it should be beneficial for everyone," he said.

Hassan and Garber said they knew of no opposition among retailers to the tax.

"The benefits far outweigh the impact is what I'm told," Hassan said.

The Village Board voted unanimously for the business district and tax.

The tax is slated to start Jan. 1.