What is the CSFT: County School Facility Sales Tax

On November 5, residents of Effingham County will vote on a proposed one-cent county school facilities sales tax (CSFT). The sales tax is for one cent on every dollar spent on qualifying retail purchases. To be implemented, the CSFT must be passed by a countywide vote. If approved by voters, the proposal would provide additional revenue to all schools in Effingham County: Altamont, Beecher City, Dieterich, Effingham, and Teutopolis.

Because we live at the intersection of two major interstate highways, much of the revenue collected from this CSFT comes from people who shop, but don’t live, in our community. Over half of the revenue provided by the CSFT comes from these nonresidents.

The CSFT provides a source of money for keeping our school facilities up-to-date, safe and secure, and in good working condition. And we can do so without relying on property taxes. That’s why more than half the counties in Illinois (57/102) have already passed the County Facilities Sales Tax.

Illinois law is very clear about how the CSFT revenue can be used. Revenue can only be used for improving school facilities, retiring new or current building bonds, or for school resource officers and mental health professionals. It cannot be used for teacher or administrator salaries, instructional materials, school buses, or other operating costs.

How will the revenue from the CSFT be used in Effingham Unit 40 schools?

Phase 1 Facility Plan approved by the School Board on 09.23.24

All information is tentative as the numbers are estimates in the projecting process

1. A single K-2 Building to consolidate students from ELC, South Side and Central (~$39.0 M)

2. Move Little Hearts Early Childhood Center and East Side Preschool into South Side School (~$1.4 M)

3. Central Grade School Library and Computer Lab area modernization (~$1.0 M)

4. Central Grade School Gymnasium wood floor and bleachers with handrails (~$2.6 M)

5. Central Grade School North Parking Lot (parent pick up) redesign (~$0.6 M)

6. Effingham High School Parking Lot replacement (~$3.4 M)

Items NOT TAXED include:

Groceries (a loaf of bread and deli meat is not taxed, a prepared sandwich is taxed)
Drugs (including prescription, over-the-counter medications, and vitamins)

Farm equipment and parts
Farm inputs

Cars, trucks, ATV’s, boats, RV’s, mobile homes
Services (accounting, legal, etc.)
Anything purchased at the wholesale level

For example:

McDonald’s meal $6 = 6¢
TV at Walmart $200 = $2
Ground beef at Walmart = not taxed
Gasoline $18 = 18¢
Haircut = not taxed
Amazon $100 = $1
$10,000 of annual purchases (excluding food and medicine) at Walmart = $100

The ballot wording is:

“Shall a retailer’s occupation tax and a service occupation tax (commonly referred to as a ‘sale tax’) be imposed in Effingham County at a rate of 1% to be used exclusively for school facility purposes, school resource officers, and mental health professionals.”

The CSFT is on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot. That is the same date as the presidential election. Turnout should be high. We think all voters should weigh-in on this important decision.

CSFT Full Video

A full-length video detailing the FAQ about the Effingham CSFT on the ballot November 5.

Show Transcript

you hear it all the time people want better schools for kids but they don't want to pay higher property taxes more than half of the counties in Illinois found a way to do this it's the 1 cent school facility sales tax a proposal that's on the Effingham County ballot on November the 5th so what's this tax and why I have so many Illinois counties already passed it just like another Illinois counties our schools have Improvement needs our schools would receive enhancements and Safety and Security updated classrooms modernized labs and updated libraries schools would also receive maintenance projects on roofs Windows Doors Electrical Plumbing Systems and HVAC to take care of buildings this proposal addresses the need to update our schools funds can only be used for facility improvements mental health professionals school resource officers residents throughout Illinois have supported this proposal as a way to keep schools in good working condition effingham's location would make this proposal generate more Revenue why because we are at the intersection of 2 major interstate highways more than half of the revenue will come from those who shop but don't live in our County every time a truck fills up with Diesel eats in 1 of our restaurants or buys a snack or cup of coffee at a gas station they could help pay for the Improvement of our schools with a 1 cent tax for those of us who live in Effingham County the tax is not collected on essential items such as groceries prescription over-the-counter medications or the purchase of cars trucks boats and farm equipment no wonder so many counties have passed this proposal for many residents throughout Illinois the county school facilities 1 cent sales tax is a way to provide schools with funding for improvements tens of thousands of Illinois kids are attending schools and improved buildings and tens of thousands are benefiting from the property tax relief please be informed about this important proposal learn how this proposal can help us improve our schools for more information visit our website election day is on November the 5th