Central IL villages receiving help from property tax increases for firefighters

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Two Central Illinois villages are getting extra help from their communities for first responders, thanks to voters saying "yes" to property tax increases for firefighters.

You've probably heard the phrase, "It takes a village". That's proven to be true in Tolono and Westville for their fire protection districts. Tolono Fire Chief Chris Humer said the goal is new equipment for better services, especially after one vehicle stopped working.

"Now the hard work begins, looking at newer vehicles and ways to purchase the equipment that we need to update our equipment that's needed," he said.

Westville Fire Chief Mark Ames has been concerned about more space.

"We've already been working within limitations of this building for more than a decade," Ames said. "So, the dollars that are being raised now will expand to the east [in] this building, basically doubling our square footage."

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But the mission didn't start off easy for either department, it was a big question for voters to decide on.

"I have never, I can't remember ever voting for a tax increase," said Westville voter David Quick. "I think people are overtaxed already."

For the average $100,000 home in Tolono, taxes would go up by $40 a year, and for Westville it's $68 a year for the next two decades. Quick understood the assignment after researching information.

"I thought, 'I just have to vote for this because that district needs that money.'" he said.

Lisa Winters from Tolono said it only took one meeting for her to decide to vote "yes."

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"We were convinced right then and there just because we had no idea what the equipment for a volunteer fire department costs, as well as that it only last ten years," Winters said.

Community members like Quick and Winters agree that these are necessities.

"We were just extremely pleased that it that it passed and that they're going to be able to have that equipment in order to respond to anybody in our community," Winters said.

Westville currently has more than 2,000 people voting "yes," and Tolono has nearly 60% in favor of their referendum. Both districts will start getting to work on what their plan is for the future.