By Madhu Mayer
Residents in Will County have different ideas on how government should utilize money from cannabis sales that are available in the coffers.
“The County Board has been discussing how best to spend the cannabis tax revenues that have been collected and we want engage with a larger audience before making additional decisions on these funds,” said Board Speaker Mimi Cowan. “Whether residents can attend or send in a comment, we want to include all voices in the decisions on how to spend the revenue generated from the legal sale of marijuana.”
The local cannabis use tax was approved by the Will County Board in December 2019 after the Illinois General Assembly allowed the recreational use of cannabis as the act authorized counties to impose a tax upon the sale of cannabis. As of this week, Will County had collected more than $2.6 million in total cannabis taxes.
“The previous prohibition on cannabis use had negative impacts to some communities through the criminal justice system and related effects,” said Majority Leader Meta Mueller. “The Board wants to ensure that these tax funds are spent appropriately based on the input from residents in these impacted communities.”
During its September board meeting, Mueller said the County Board allocated $500,000 of cannabis money to support the Will County Child Advocacy Center (CAC). The center supports the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, and its partners are the front-line responders to reports of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, sexual exploitation, child pornography, neglect, and exposure to violence.
“As a strong supporter of the Child Advocacy Center, I am very happy that we were able to support the staff who do the work dealing with very difficult situations at the CAC,” said Minority Leader Mike Fricilone. “Providing these funds will strengthen the work of the CAC in all the communities throughout Will County.”
While he could not attend the Oct. 3 Will County Board meeting where the public offered ideas on how to allocate cannabis sales tax funds to the community, Jim Castrigone of Joliet wonders if the money could help people drastically impacted by inflation.
“Maybe they can give more money to places like local food pantries because the need is really out there,” he said. “People have to make a choice between eating or paying their high rent. There has to be a way to reach these types of people during this difficult time. The money is there so all they have to do is decide how to spend it.”
Mary Ibarra of Joliet is against using the money for non-essential needs. She believes it should go toward neighborhood improvements in low-income communities and for mental health services.
“I do not want them to use the money to buy properties or other enhancements,” she said. “This has to go back to the taxpayers for their betterment. Maybe it should help neighborhoods hardest hit by the drug wars.”
The Will County Board will consider input from Monday’s public hearing, along with comments on its Web site (www.willcountyillinois.com) from residents who could not attend the meeting before deciding how to spend the money.