Our taxes vrs others

by: Diane Benjamin

Since there are discussions about raising sales tax, it is worth comparing Bloomington – Normal to surrounding cities. Then, since sales taxes aren’t the only taxes, let’s compare property taxes.

Not only does a group of developers expect you to fund soccer fields and a Community Center, the local school districts are next in line with their hands out. Common Core takes a lot of money to implement. Heartland just wastes money not commonly spent by a Junior College. Their stated goal was making higher education affordable. Too late.

Yes, Bloomington-Normal has a slightly lower Sales Tax Rate, but they compensate with higher property taxes.

The YMCA wants a new home at your expense. I hear they need a $300,000 roof. The new complex is estimated at $30,000,000. Maybe you should contact the City Council and tell them what you think. Contact all the Bloomington Alderman and Mayor at once: citycouncil@cityblm.org . Normal, you are only off the hook if Bloomington folds. You can email the Council here: http://normal.org/forms.aspx?FID=70

You might as well tell them what you think about a $30,000,000 Soccer Complex too. Soccer used to be played at local schools. Free fields or $30,000,000? Decisions, decisions.

Quality of life projects are great, until you can’t afford them. How about the people wanting and using the new complexes actually pay for them?

City	Total Sales Tax Rate
Source: http://www.sale-tax.com/Illinois
Bloomington	7.750%

Champaign	8.750%

Decatur	9.000%

Normal	7.750%

Pekin	8.000%
Peoria	8.250%

Urbana	8.750%