Western Springs Tax Hike Goes Down: Unofficial Returns

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The Western Springs referendum to increase the local sales tax failed in Tuesday's election.

According to unofficial returns, 3,294, or 54 percent, voted against the measure, while 2,847, or 46 percent, supported it.

Now, the sales tax in the village is 9 percent. Of that, Western Springs gets 1 percentage point, while the state gets most of the rest. The new tax would increase it by another percentage point.

In July, the Village Board voted unanimously to put the tax hike question on Tuesday's ballot.

Under state law, such a tax would pay for infrastructure. Nearby towns such as La Grange, Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Westchester, Indian Head Park and Brookfield already charge the tax.

The sales tax does not apply to groceries, prescription or nonprescription drugs, and medical appliances.

The village is also considering a stormwater fee for residents. Officials say more money is needed for street and drainage improvements.

On its website, the village notes all retail shoppers — residents and nonresidents alike — would have paid the tax. That, the village contends, would capture money from nonresidents who benefit from streets and other local infrastructure.

"Without new sources of revenue, the Village's ability to fulfill its commitment to maintain the infrastructure is reduced to merely 20 percent of the required work," the village says on its website. "This changes the scope of maintenance and reconstruction to reactive versus proactive."