Alcohol Sales Tax Doubled to Fund Police Pensions and Downtown Beautification

WATSEKA, IL – The Watseka City Council has voted to double the tax on alcohol sales from 3 to 6 percent. 

The additional revenue generated from this tax increase will be channeled into funding police pensions and financing downtown beautification projects, according to city officials. Despite concerns raised by some council members about the burden on taxpayers, the majority voted in favor of the measure, resulting in a 5-2 victory. 

A 2008 study conducted by Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System suggests that higher-risk drinkers would bear the brunt of the tax increase, leading to a potential reduction in excessive drinking.