Sales Tax Hike In Western Springs?

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs officials are looking at a sales tax increase of up to 1 percent to help fix infrastructure.

This week, Finance Director Grace Turi issued a memo explaining why a sales tax increase may be needed. Such a hike must be approved by voters in a referendum.

Turi noted the village's voters approved referendums in 2008 and 2016 to go $18.5 million into debt. By the end of 2024, all the money from the bonds will have been spent, with no other money available for projects, she said.

"The Village of Western Springs is an aging community much like our neighboring communities, and with any aging community, the Village's infrastructure is in need of rehabilitation," Turi said in the memo. "Not only is the roadway infrastructure in need of costly annual maintenance and rehabilitation, there are flooding issues that must also be addressed."

Under state law, the village is authorized to impose what is called a "non-home rule municipal sales tax."

Turi noted towns such as La Grange, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Westchester and Indian Head Park have imposed such a tax.

"I recognize that the business community will be reluctant to support this tax, but shopping patterns are not influenced by sales tax but rather the product and convenience and customer service of obtaining the project," Turi said.

The Village Board is expected to discuss the issue at its meeting Monday.