Glen Ellyn Food, Beverage Tax Ordinance: First Reading Sept. 10

GLEN ELLYN, IL — After several public meetings and workshops, Glen Ellyn officials will present the village's proposed food and beverage tax ordinance at two upcoming board meetings. The first official reading of the ordinance will take place on Sept. 10 and the second reading and vote are set for Sept. 24.

If the ordinance is passed and becomes law, a 1.5% tax will be levied on prepared food and drinks, along with alcohol bought to drink off-site. Revenue from the tax, which would take effect March 2019, would be used strictly "to help fund future capital projects," according to a press release from the Village of Glen Ellyn.

These projects would include work on a revamped train station and pedestrian underpass, improvements to the Glen Ellyn Civic Center, a new parking garage downtown, and other initiatives.

Glen Ellyn Finance Director Christina Coyle said in a statement that "a new revenue source is necessary to make this significant investment in the village’s overall infrastructure and spur more economic growth.” A similar food and beverage tax has been adopted in nearby communities including Downers Grove, Lombard, and Naperville.

In the news release, Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce President Steve Thompson said he thinks the food and beverage tax will help boost business in the village by funding capital projects. Thompson said building new parking garages near the central business district "would draw more people to visit our central downtown businesses, support our local owners and staff, help create new jobs, and increase the vibrancy for all of Glen Ellyn.”

The ordinance will be up for its first reading on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. At that time, residents can provide feedback on the ordinance and a straw vote may be held. On Sept. 24, there will be a second reading of the ordinance and an official vote will be taken to decide whether or not the food and beverage tax plan will go into effect in March 2019.

The proposed tax would sunset after 20 years once bonds for the aforementioned capital projects have been paid in full.

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