Joliet casino’s taxes to rise in 2011
By Bob OKon
JOLIET — Downtown businesses with the exception of Harrah’s Casino & Hotel should not see much of a tax increase next year, City Manager Thomas Thanas said Tuesday.
Thanas wanted to clarify the situation after an article in The Herald-News reported on an increase in the amount of taxes that will be collected next year for the special service area downtown. Many downtown business people called city hall Tuesday concerned about the tax.
The amount of taxes the city collects for the special service area is going up by 21 percent, but the increase is due to the end of a 10-year tax break that Harrah’s received when it built its hotel in an area covered by an enterprise zone, Thanas said. Harrah’s next year will begin paying full property taxes on the hotel site.
“There will be additional revenue generated by Harrah’s but that will not spread to other taxpayers,” Thanas said. “We’re seeing a substantial increase in the money coming in, but it’s because the tax abatement is coming off of Harrah’s.”
The special tax generated $233,000 this year and will go up to $282,000 next year. But the tax rate for that special service area is frozen, Thanas said. The money goes to a fund used to promote and develop the downtown business district.
Anyone who has questions also can come to a public hearing Tuesday on the levy for the special service area. The hearing will be held during the city council meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.
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