Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taxation Grocery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hanover Park board approves 1% municipal grocery tax after public comment
Summary
The Village of Hanover Park on June 5 passed an ordinance creating a 1% municipal grocery retailer and grocery service occupational tax (added as Article XVI to Chapter 94). A resident urged a sunset clause and questioned whether the tax preserves or adds to local burdens.
The Village of Hanover Park Board of Trustees voted June 5 to pass an ordinance amending Chapter 94 of the municipal code to add Article XVI establishing a municipal grocery retailer occupational tax and a municipal grocery service occupational tax at 1%.
Resident Tom Clark, who identified himself during the town‑hall period and noted he serves on the Development Commission (but was speaking as a resident), urged the board to treat the item as a substantive agenda item rather than a consent item and to consider a sunset clause. Clark said, “If you pass this ordinance tonight do so with a firm sunset clause and that the grocery tax ends on 01/01/2027.” He added that, in his view, the change will be perceived as a new revenue stream even though it replaces a state tax that the state is phasing out.
Village President Rodney S. Craig framed the action as sustaining revenues the village has relied on. Craig said, “That's a hell of a lot of money for us to try to recoup,” and described the measure as maintaining revenue needed to preserve current services and capital programs rather than a brand‑new tax increase.
Board members discussed the item after public comment but did not adopt the sunset language Clark proposed. The ordinance text on the record amends the municipal code and adds the two grocery occupational‑tax articles; the board’s roll call after discussion produced a majority vote in favor and one recorded no vote. The clerk called the roll as part of final adoption.
Why this matters: trustees said the tax will help sustain street and service commitments amid broader state changes to grocery taxation. Opponents and at least one resident urged clearer voter notice or a sunset to allow further fiscal review.
Next steps: the ordinance takes effect according to the municipal code’s adoption rules; staff will proceed with implementation and collection steps under Chapter 94. The board did not direct additional study language on the record.
