February 17, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

What to know about the proposed sales-tax increase

Champaign County elected officials are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase.

Officials estimate the sales-tax increase would generate $7 million a year. The new revenue would be used for pubic safety.

Revenue from the sales tax increase can support a variety of services.

This includes the Veteran’s Assistant Commission, which is is dedicated to improving the economic well being and quality of life for the veterans of Champaign County. Revenue from the Public Safety Sale Tax could allow the County to reconfigure allocations so additional funding can be provided to the Veterans Assistance Commission. Funding would also go to the Sheriff’s Department and revenue from the Public Safety Sales Tax could add two additional deputies to the Sheriff’s Office to provide more service to the County.


Revenue would also go to the Public Defender’s Office and would add additional attorneys to the Public Defender’s Office. Based on the Office’s caseload, there should be at least 11 additional attorneys.
The Office of the State’s Attorney would also receive money from the sales-tax increase which would add attorneys to the State’s Attorney’s Office to assist in efficient and effective criminal proceedings.

The Public Safety tax has been in use in Champaign County since 1999. It’s currently a quarter of a cent, so for every $100 spent in Champaign County 25 cents goes to public safety. With the increase, 50 cents would go to public safety. Yearly, the current tax generates between $6.5 and 7 million a year for the County to use on public safety.

The tax does not apply to groceries, titled or registered personal property and prescription and non-prescription medicines, medical appliances, and insulin.

Officials say the increase is needed because the County is responsible for funding and operating the criminal justice system, that includes the court facilities, circuit and judicial clerks, court services and probation, jail, juvenile detention facility, and the offices of the sheriff, state’s attorney, and public defender. Other municipalities in the County do not contribute funds to these entities, but all criminal and civil charges are funneled through this one County-funded system.

Recent reform of the criminal justice fines and fees system has led to a significant reduction in the amount of court costs paid by individuals. Additionally, Champaign County is not a home rule county, and this limits the ability of the County to maintain a stable rate of revenue that keeps pace with the County’s growing population.

Banner
Related Posts

Wakefield wants to serve community

April 5, 2021

April 5, 2021

Allison Wakefield knows Ogden.  Wakefield has lived in the community for more than 18 years and is now raising her...

Know what’s on your ballot

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

ADVISORY QUESTIONS On the ballot on Nov. 5, voters in Champaign will vote on three state wide advisory questions.The first...

Cunningham wants to help Homer grow

April 6, 2021

April 6, 2021

Ray Cunningham feels he has unfinished business.  Cunningham is running for reelection as Homer’s mayor on April 6.  “I am...

SJO School Board Candidate Kathy McCormick Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

Cooper looks to make a difference in Ogden

April 5, 2021

April 5, 2021

Kelly Cooper wants to make a difference in Ogden.  That is why she ran for village board in 2017 and...

Get to know Jim Acklin, write in candidate for the 102nd district

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your family?I grew up in Paris, Il and graduated from PHS....

Heritage School Board Candidate Surveys

April 1, 2019

April 1, 2019

Three candidates are running for three seats in the Heritage School District Zach Wells Why are you running for school...

Server issue resolved in Champaign County

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons says a system failure that led to voting machines at polling places not working has...

5 Questions with Republican Caucus candidate Terri Cummings

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

What made you want to run?  When my husband and I moved to St Joseph 14 years ago I felt...

SJO School Board Candidate Kevin Taylor Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

Richards hopes to make difference as Homer mayor

April 6, 2021

April 6, 2021

Jeremy Richards has plans for Homer.  That is why he is running for mayor in the April 6 election.  “I...

5 Questions with Republican caucus candidate Matt Wolfersberger

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? My original plan was to step aside at the end of my term,...

St. Joseph Grade School Candidate Surveys

April 1, 2019

April 1, 2019

There are three people running for three seats on the St. Joseph Grade School Board. Jen Wagner Why are you...

‘Wanting to serve this community has been my passion’

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges cares about St. Joseph. It is why she is running for reelection tonight at the Republican Caucus....

5 questions with Republican caucus candidate Steven Peters

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? I have been a member of this exceptional community for the past 20...

Comments
Leave a Reply