Tax Swap Proposal Soundly Defeated; Mahon Wins GOP Nomination for Sheriff

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The Effingham County property tax swap proposed by county school officials as a way to generate funds for building construction and renovation was soundly defeated by county voters Tuesday.

Also Tuesday, Dave Mahon won the Republican nomination for Effingham County Sheriff.

The tax swap proposal, where a 1% sales tax would be enacted with the promise of school boards that they would abate their property tax levy at a corresponding amount, didn't sell anywhere in the county.  The proposal lost in all 37 precincts in the county and by anywhere from 65% to 85% margins.

Effingham Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan said the district will still move ahead with plans for the future including a stated goal of downsizing to three instructional buildings.

As for Mahon, the retired Illinois State Police trooper won the nomination in a four-way race.  Mahon pulled 2,968 votes, or just over 41% of the vote.  Effingham County Deputy Sheriff Darren Feldkamp, who had been endorsed by retiring Sheriff John Monnet, received 2,332 votes, or just over 32% of the vote.  Feldkamp won several precincts, but Mahon posted substantial margins in precincts in and around the Effingham area to post the win.  

Effingham City Police Chief Mike Schutzbach finished third with 1,067 votes and retired Illinois State Police trooper John Gardner pulled 797 votes.

Effingham County endorsed Bruce Rauner for the Republican nomination for governor with 33.5% of the vote, but Kirk Dillard got 29% of the vote and 2010 nominee Bill Brady got 26% of the vote.  State Treasurer Dan Rutherford got 11.4% of the vote.

Despite the small number of contested races, just over 37% of registered voters in Effingham County turned out and cast a ballot.