Flossmoor Voters Approve 1 Percent Sales Tax Increase

FLOSSMOOR, IL - Voters in Flossmoor approved a local sales tax increase that officials said last month will help stabilize the village's finances for the future. About 62 percent of the vote went in favor of the tax, with the remaining 38 percent voting no.

More than 3,000 voters answered the following referendum:

"Shall the Village of Flossmoor, Cook County, Illinois, impose a 1% Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax (commonly known as local sales tax) for expenditure on Property Tax Relief, Public Infrastructure and Municipal Operations in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8-11-1.1 through 8-11-1.4 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.1 through 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.4)?"

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With the vote going in favor, a 1 percent sales tax is expected to go into effect in July. It's a "Non-Home Rule" tax in which one penny per dollar will be tacked onto general merchandise at local retailers. It will not apply to the sale of most food, medical appliances and prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Officials estimate that the change would generate about $550,000 every year.

In all, 1,943 votes in favor of the tax while 1,190 voted against. Voter turnout in Flossmoor came in at a hair under 35 percent, according to the Cook County Board of Elections.

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