Lamont Village Council Adopts Grocery Tax Ordinance Ahead of State Changes

The Lemont Village Board meeting on August 11, 2025, focused on significant local tax changes and annexation discussions. The primary agenda item was the introduction of an ordinance to implement a municipal grocery retailers occupation tax and a municipal grocers service occupation tax in response to the upcoming repeal of the state grocery tax.

Trustee George explained that the Illinois state government plans to eliminate the 1% grocery tax by January 2026, which currently generates approximately $500,000 annually for the village. This revenue is crucial for funding essential services such as police and public works. The new local tax aims to replace this lost revenue seamlessly, ensuring that the village can maintain its budget without significant cuts to services.

Trustee Rick clarified that this change does not introduce an additional tax burden on residents; rather, it shifts the collection of the existing tax from the state to the village. The ordinance must be passed by October to ensure the local tax is in place by the start of the new year.

In addition to the tax discussion, the board also addressed an ordinance related to several properties on Lamont Road, indicating ongoing development and annexation efforts in the area. The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on these topics, highlighting the village's proactive approach to managing its financial and developmental challenges.

The board's decisions are expected to have a significant impact on the village's budget and service delivery in the coming years, as they navigate the implications of state-level tax changes and local development initiatives.