Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Taxation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Glenview board votes to continue 1% grocery tax while awaiting state data
Summary
On second consideration Sept. 2, Glenview trustees voted to continue a 1% local grocery tax effective Jan. 1, 2026. Supporters said the levy helps balance the village budget; opponents called it regressive and asked the village to revisit the tax once the Illinois Department of Revenue provides detailed grocery-specific revenue data.
Glenview trustees approved a second-consideration ordinance Sept. 2 to continue the village’s 1% grocery tax, allowing the levy to remain in effect Jan. 1, 2026, if filed with the Illinois Department of Revenue by Oct. 1. Deputy Manager Bosley told the board the ordinance amends Chapter 7 of the municipal code and described the filing and administration process with IDOR.
Opponents, including Trustee Cooper and Trustee Bland, said groceries are basic needs and the tax is regressive. Cooper noted other nearby villages have chosen not to continue the levy. Trustee Doran and several other trustees argued the village should retain the tax for the short term to protect the corporate fund while staff and state data clarify the tax’s actual revenue impact on Glenview.
Trustees discussed staff’s estimate that grocery-tax proceeds are roughly $2.7 million and that amount’s relationship to the corporate fund. Deputy Manager Bosley said IDOR has told staff it will provide a bifurcated report that separates grocery-tax receipts from other sales tax, and that report should allow the village to more precisely quantify the levy’s local effect.
After debate about regressivity, household receipt examples and the village’s current surplus position, the board voted to approve the ordinance. The recorded roll-call vote showed the motion carried (four yes, two no). The board’s discussion included direction to examine alternatives and to revisit the matter as part of upcoming budget workshops when better data are available.
The ordinance takes effect following its second reading and formal passage at the next board meeting.
