PEKIN Ill. – Residents in Pekin will not be voting on the town’s 1% grocery tax, in April’s election.
City Council members Monday night were split, 3-3, on whether or not to add a referendum in the upcoming election, for the approved grocery tax bill, which was previously voted on, November 12th.
Council member Dave Nutter was the one who made the motion they have the conversation, and says the residents of Pekin should have been able to share their opinions.
“That doesn’t mean that we would have to change whether to get rid of it or whether to keep it, but I think it would certainly show the taxpayers out there that we are concerned about what their thoughts are on it,” Dave Nutter said.
He was one of three members to vote in favor of the referendum.
Karen Hohimer was one of the three opposed, and says it’s the council’s duty to make these hard choices.
“I know this isn’t the most popular position to take, but you didn’t elect me to make easy choices, you elected me to make decisions that are best for Pekin, our community, and our future,” Karen Hohimer said.
Mary Burress and John Abel also voted against the referendum — with Rick Hilst and Lloyd Orrick joining Nutter, in favor of it.
The 1% tax will go in effect, when the current one runs out, in January 2026.
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