PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – Another central Illinois community has implemented a grocery tax.
On Tuesday night, the Peoria Heights Board of Trustees approved a 1% local version of the tax to go into effect when a similar state tax expires at the end of the year.
Village leaders estimated that Peoria Heights receives around $125,000 each year from the grocery tax.
That’s an amount that Trustee Nathan Steinwedel says is needed.
“That missing revenue puts the tax burden squarely on our citizens when it comes to fixing things like our water infrastructure, supporting our fire department, and covering other major expenses we have as a community,” Steinwedel said.
Steinwedel also argued the village’s high property taxes could make it difficult for a grocery store to operate in Peoria Heights.
Other trustees concurred with Steinwedel, but Trustee Brandon Wisenburg was the only “no” vote on the proposal. Wisenburg argued the tax is “regressive” and hurts those who need to keep their money the most.
“They place the heaviest burden on those least able to afford it, working families and seniors on fixed incomes,” Wisenburg said.
Peoria Heights joins cities such as Peoria, East Peoria, and Washington in adding the tax to not lose revenues generated by it.
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