• Community forum concerning the school facility sales tax, 6:30 p.m. at East Peoria Community High School
A school facility sales tax will be on the April 7 ballot in Tazewell County.
This tax, first available in 2007, is a new source of funding for school districts. Proceeds from the countywide sales tax could be used exclusively for school facility purposes.
Retail sales in the county would be taxed; however, certain goods would not be taxed, including groceries, prescription drugs and medical supplies, titled vehicles, mobile homes, and farm equipment, parts and inputs (seed, fertilizer, etc).
East Peoria Community High School superintendent Cliff Cobert said, “Most school buildings in the state are in need of some repair or replacement.
School districts have relied on property taxes or state funding for school building improvements or replacement.
This sales tax provides a new source for school facility improvements without a property tax burden on the residents and business owners.”
East Peoria High School will host a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. today to explain the tax and how the proceeds would be used. The meeting will be in the East Peoria Community High School auditorium.
Information regarding the sales tax will be provided and questions will be taken from those in attendance.
Any Tazewell County resident is invited to attend.
For more information, contact Cobert at 694-8307, or your local school superintendent.
• CIRCUIT BREAKER HELP Central Illinois Agency on Aging, 9:30 a.m.-noon every Wed. through April 15 at the Fondulac District Library to help prepare Circuit Breaker forms. No registration required. Free.
• AARP TAX HELP free tax preparation and tax help every Wed. through April 15 at the Fondulac District Library by appt. only. Call 699-3917 for appt.
