09/10/2026
Re: Tazewell County Referendum & Information
September 10, 2026
Dear Families,
We want to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to providing safe, supportive, and enriching environments to help every child thrive from their first school experience through high school graduation. You are a valuable member of our school community, and your child’s early learning experience helps shape the student they will grow into in our schools.
As part of this commitment, Tazewell County voters will have the opportunity on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to consider a one-cent tax referendum that proposes a 1% sales tax (also known as the County Schools Facility Tax). If approved, this revenue will support all public school districts in Tazewell County by funding safety and facility improvements, ensuring that our schools remain effective and supportive learning spaces for all students and providing some property tax relief.
If approved, this additional revenue would be under local control, with funds distributed based upon student enrollment. By Illinois law, this revenue can be used for:
● Facility improvements: including roof repairs, energy efficiency improvements, additions and renovations, durable equipment, demolition, land acquisition, architectural planning, and new
school facilities.
● School safety, security and student well-being: including fire prevention, life safety, School Resource Officers and Mental Health Providers.
● Paying off facility bonds and/or property tax protection by introducing this new revenue stream
To ease the burden on taxpayers, this type of tax is in place in every surrounding county that touches Tazewell County. It’s also worth noting that the majority of this funding, estimated at nearly 60%, would come from visitors outside of the county that shop and dine here.
If approved, the tax would be applied to qualifying sales, adding one cent per dollar spent on taxable items (for example, a $30 shirt would cost an additional 30 cents). Importantly, everyday items like groceries, medications, vehicles, and farm equipment/most inputs are not taxed.
We encourage you to learn more about the referendum by visiting www.tazewellforstudents.com . If you have any questions, you can email [email protected] or call my office at 309-698-3600.
Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s education and for being an important part of our school community.
Most Sincerely,
Steven K. Johnson, Superintendent
Creve Coeur School District # 76
309-698-3600
[email protected]
When Tazewell County residents shop or dine in neighboring counties, your money helps fund local schools thanks to a 1% County School Facilities Tax. This November, voters will decide if that same tax can help improve Tazewell schools. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, school districts in Tazewell Count...
