08/25/2026
August 25, 2026
Dear Families,
I wanted to take a moment to share some information about an upcoming referendum that will be on the county-wide ballot this November 3, 2026. Creve Coeur School District # 76, along with all school districts across Tazewell County, is asking voters to consider a 1% Illinois County Schools Facility Tax (CSFT), also known as the "one-cent tax."
This type of request can provide funding for critical school facility repairs/renovations, security and safety measures for student well-being, and reduce the reliance on property taxes to fund these projects. If approved, the revenue from the one-cent tax would fund improvements for all public schools in Tazewell County, including ours. This additional revenue would be under local control, with funds distributed based upon student enrollment. In our district, here’s how the revenue would be used:
· School safety, security and student well-being: including fire prevention, life safety, and School Resource Officers.
· Facility improvements: including parking lot repairs, roof repairs, energy efficiency improvements, window repair and maintenance, exterior / interior door repair and maintenance, new tile classrooms and hallways, additions and renovations, durable equipment, architectural planning, and new school facilities.
· 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. 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 and medications are not taxed. 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.
Our goal with this request is to prioritize the safety, security and well-being of our students while making necessary improvements to our schools facilities, all while reducing the reliance on our property tax payers through a new revenue stream.
In the coming weeks, we will continue to provide additional information and resources for families and residents who may have questions or wish to learn more. We encourage you to visit our referendum website www.tazewellforstudents.com for more details. Feel free to reach out to my office directly at 309-698-3600 or [email protected].
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our students, staff, and community.
Most Sincerely,
Steven K. Johnson, Superintendent
309-698-3600
[email protected]
Creve Coeur School District # 76
Linda Bailey, Board President Valerie Ragon, Board Vice-President Pam Greiner, Board Secretary
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...
