WASHINGTON, Ill. – Washington has become the latest Central Illinois community to approve a 1-percent local sales tax on groceries to replace the state tax that will expire next January.
The 6-2 vote came a day before Peoria votes whether to extend the grocery tax at its meeting Tuesday night.
Washington Ward I Council member and Mayor-elect Lilija Stevens voted against the measure, as did John Blundy from Ward IV, prompting retiring Mayor Gary Manier to criticize them both.
“That’s a little disheartening to make sure it got on the agenda to vote no against it to make sure the other six [council members] look bad,” Manier said.
Blundy argued taxpayers need relief.
“At some point, we need to think we’re going to tax ourselves to the point where it’s unbearable,” Blundy said.
Council members who voted yes argued the city needs the estimated $500,000 generated by the tax, which accounts for $1 for $100.00 of groceries purchased in Washington.
According to 25 News, supporters argued this isn’t a new tax, but rather a resolution transferring control of the tax from the state to local government.
“This is a painful move that needs to be made. Someone has to do the dirty work on this, and I guess it’s us,” Brian Butler from Ward III said.
East Peoria, Pekin, and Normal have already adopted a local grocery tax.
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