Voters Say 'Yes' To Marijuana Tax In Chicago Heights

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - Recreational marijuana isn't legal in Illinois, but one question on the ballot for voters in Chicago Heights sought opinions on whether tax money from its sale should be used to help the schools if it does become legal. Voters said "yes" to that referendum and two others after unofficial results from Tuesday's election have been tallied.

One of three ballot questions for voters in the city of Chicago Heights alone dealt with a "marijuana tax" in the event its recreational use and sale becomes legal in the state.

"In the event that the recreational use and sale of marijuana is legalized in the State of Illinois, should the City of Chicago Heights appropriate tax or other revenues it received from the sales of marijuana to increase funding for Chicago Heights public schools?" is the official wording of the referendum some residents have already voted on during early voting and others will see at their polling places on Election Day, Nov. 6.

ELECTION NIGHT UPDATE: Yes - 82.87%, No - 17.13% (19 of 19 precincts reporting)

In the primary election earlier this year, voters in Cook County overwhelmingly said "yes" to an advisory referendum seeking public opinion on whether Illinois should legalize recreational marijuana.

Other local questions on the ballot in Chicago Heights asked about a possible solar energy facility in the city and a potential optional household recycling program where residents would be required to pay for recycling totes.

These questions, all of which on the ballot are advisory and non-binding, will read:

"Should the City of Chicago Heights, Cook County, IL consider the development of a city owned solar powered energy generation facility to sell electrical power to regional energy users?"

ELECTION NIGHT UPDATE: Yes -74.64%, No -25.36% (19 of 19 precincts reporting)

"Should the City of Chicago Heights, Cook County, Illinois consider the establishment of an optional household recycling program wherein recycling totes would be provided to participating city households at a cost to the participating household to be negotiated by the City as part of its Garbage Collection Agreement?"

ELECTION NIGHT UPDATE: Yes - 74.64%, No - 25.36% (19 of 19 precincts reporting)

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