Lee County Detention

Facility
Public Facilities Referendum

Need for the Detention Facility

Jail Standards
Not in compliance for years
Lack of diversity for classification of inmates
Inadequate Segregation

Safety Concerns
No Mental Health, Medical or Juvenile cells
Environmental
Liability

Need for the Detention Facility

(cont.)
Physical Condition
Infrastructure deterioration
Damage caused to jail and lower offices
Poor Ventilation
Inadequate separation for food prep / laundry

Jail Layout

Current Jail Conditions

Detective Office Lower Level

Current Jail Conditions

Environmental / Mold

Lack of Medical Cells

Lack of Mental Health Cells

Public Facilities Referendum

Illinois Counties Code Provides Funding
Mechanism
55 ILCS 5/5-1006.5: Special County
Retailers Occupation Tax for Public Safety,
Public Facilities, or Transportation
Provides for sales tax on tangible goods,
exempting:
Groceries
Sales tax from vehicles
Prescription / non-prescription drugs
Insulin, syringes, etc. for diabetics

Public Facilities Referendum

(cont.)
Public Referendum Required
On the ballot for March 15, 2016 election
If approved, would go into effect July 1, 2016

Ballot Question
To pay for public facilities purposes, hereby
identified as the new Lee County Detention
Facility, shall Lee County be authorized to
impose an increase on its share of local sales tax
by 1%?

Resolution created to reduce to % if

successful

Public Facilities Referendum

(cont.)
Who does this affect?
Anyone purchasing tangible goods in Lee
County
Not limited to Lee County Citizens

Examples:
$6.00 lunch at fast-food restaurant = $.03
$50.00 DVD player = $.25
$500.00 washing machine = $2.50

Est. Annual Revenue generated: $1.1 million

Lee County Sales Tax Compared

to Others
(*Public Safety/Facilities Tax

Counties
Lee
Ogle
DeKalb
LaSalle*
Bureau*
Stephenson*
Whiteside**
Winnebago*
Henry
Rock Island

**County School Facilities Tax)

Cities
6.25
6.25
6.25
6.50
6.75
6.75
7.25
7.25
7.25
7.50

Dixon
Rochelle
LaSalle/Peru*
Princeton*
Rock Island
Sterling**
DeKalb
Freeport*
Rockford*
Rock Falls**

6.75
7.00
7.00
7.25
7.50
7.75
8.00
8.00
8.25
8.25

Fiscal Responsibility
Consultant providing strategic planning to
maximize efficiency, jail standard compliance
and cost effectiveness
Facility size / occupancy / diversity
Efficiency of the facility mechanically /
technologically

All potential solutions under consideration

Most fiscally responsible solution will be
implemented

Fiscal Responsibility (cont.)

Funds directed toward Detention Facility only
Sheriffs Office proven record of saving
taxpayer money with over 15 cost-saving
initiatives implemented
A solution must be sought to reduce liability,
avoid ongoing costly repairs and possible
closure of the facility

Questions?
For more information.
Find us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LeeCountyFacilityReferendum

Or the Lee County Website:

www.leecountyil.com

For a Jail Tour call 815/284-5214.