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What is the ask?

Champaign County is asking for another 0.25% "Public Safety" Sales Tax on all taxable goods purchased in the county (we already have one so called "public safety" tax - total would be 0.50%).

This would take an estimated $7 million for public safety ("Public safety" includes, but is not limited to, fire fighting, police, medical, ambulance, or other emergency services). The County Board has not committed to how exactly they would spend the money, but they have discussed giving the bulk of money to the Sheriff's Department, jail and the State's Attorney and a small percentage to the Public Defender. 

The question is going to be on your ballot! Voting starts at the end of September. YOU get to decide -- how much more of your hard earned money do you want to go to the criminal justice system?

How Do Champaign County's Taxes Compare to Our Neighbors'?

Champaign 9.0% current, 9.25% proposed

Vermilion 8.25%

Piatt 7.25%

Douglas 7.25%

Iroquois 6.5%

Ford 6.25%

McLean 6.25%

When is enough enough? 

Champaign County has already paid $20 million+ for an expansion of the jail. This investment updated the facility while consolidating our two jails into one location. The County promised that this investment would reduce maintenance and staffing costs. The county does not yet have a plan for selling or reusing the downtown Urbana land where the abandoned jail is located to recoup any of those expenses. 

The opening of the expanded jail (expected 2025) is projected to save the county ~$2.6 million per year ($3 mil reduced out-of-county housing minus cost to house in county). Meanwhile, expenditures for the Sheriff's department have increased from $7 million in 2021 (p 173) to almost $11 million in 2024 (p 30). This comes at a time when crime has been falling. 

Champaign County is in the process of abandoning their existing office building for a new building in downtown Urbana. They purchased the building for $2 million dollars and are spending $20 million on renovations. The county does not yet have a plan on how to reuse the existing office building or recoup any of those expenses.

  The Champaign County Nursing Home also is lying empty and abandoned after the County sold the property to a private company on the agreement that they would continue to run it. They failed to follow through on the agreement and now the county does not have a plan on how to address the need for skilled nursing beds or how to ensure proper care for our elderly.

The opioid settlement against pharmaceutical companies has awarded about half a million dollars per year (total of $2.4 mil) to the County to help combat the effects of the opioid epidemic. 

Are Sales Taxes Regressive? 

A "regressive tax" is one that it takes more from the poor than the rich. Sales taxes are regressive because they take a larger percentage of income from low income residents than high income residents. Unlike taxing a percentage of the value of homes or incomes, sales taxes take the same bite of all the necessary purchases everyone makes. This disproportionately affects low income residents who are already struggling to get by with the rising costs of utility bills and rent. 

Please do NOT confuse the Public Safety sales tax with these other referendums!

Champaign Township is asking for a property tax increase to maintain the homeless services they are currently offering through grant funds. This includes the emergency shelter which would likely have to close without this critical support. This funding would provide much needed support for a proven service. Learn more

For folks living in Urbana, Cunningham Township has some advisory referendums:

Does Champaign County want to invest more in reactive solutions (criminal justice) or proactive solutions like healthcare and housing?

Learn more: 

Our independently elected County Auditor does not support this tax. Auditors 2022 Financial Analysis of the County Budget and Guest Commentary for the News Gazette.