A Tax That Burr Ridge Officials Are Considering

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge officials are considering a business district for what they call the village's downtown.

The district would impose a 1 percent hotel and sales tax that would pay for improvements. The money could be used for such things as buildings, roads, utilities, demolition of buildings and renovations of existing ones, according to the village.

The district would include Village Center, County Line Square, TCF Bank and the Marriott, according to village documents. The tax would generate $800,000 in the first year and up to $50 million over more than two decades, officials say.

On Monday, the Village Board is expected to vote on the district after holding a public hearing.

"It's a great concept," Trustee Joseph Snyder said at an August board meeting.

Trustee Russell Smith agreed, but said the board should also figure out ways to cover its police pensions long-term, an issue plaguing most towns.

Trustee Tony Schiappa also supported the idea. He said it would help make downtown special.

"Maybe this district could pay for a weekend trolley system," he said. "It's just an idea. It's something to separate us from other villages."

Former Trustee Zach Mottl said residents aren't looking to develop a business district.

"(T)he village gets a PITTANCE in taxes from restaurants, hotels, sales taxes, etc.," Mottl said in an email to Patch on Friday. "It’s so small compared to the Village's primary revenue stream, property taxes. It's really LAUGHABLE, yet they spend an inordinate amount of time and energy on all of these PRIVATE businesses."