Second 40 Forward Meeting Held Thursday Night

The second in the series of three 40 Forward meetings Thursday evening gave those in attendance an opportunity to consider several scenarios as far as new or renovated facilities.

The first meeting earlier this month had been to review how things are as far as facilities; last night's meeting was a chance to rank options being considered, including a Status Quo option.

There was also discussion of the one-cent sales tax, what it would generate as far as paying for facilities, and the process of getting the tax implemented.

The tax can go on the November ballot in all of Effingham County if a simple majority requests it. Unit 40 serves almost half of the student population in the county, indicating that if Unit 40 and at least one other district in the county ask for the question to go on the ballot in November, it would appear on ballots throughout Effingham County. That's the way the law works, and every district wouild receive a share of the revenue generated. 

A simple majority vote would pass the sales tax referendum. If the tax is approved in November, it would be implemented January 1, 2025, and collected by the Illinois Department of Revenue as is all sales tax revenue. The first revenue would be distributed by the State in April of 2025.

The next 40 Forward meeting is set for April 18, again at 6:30pm and again at the Effingham Event Center.