The Illinois Policy Institute has accused at least 17 school districts in Tazewell County of breaking state election law by using taxpayer money to push voters toward approving a sales tax increase. The organization sent cease-and-desist letters to all 17 districts on October 2, 2026, claiming they're running what amounts to an illegal campaign for a county referendum. The letter warns that if the districts don't stop within ten business days, the group will file ethics complaints with the Tazewell County State's Attorney and Illinois Attorney General.
The districts are allegedly working together on a coordinated effort that includes a website, social media posts, school newsletters, email signature lines, and campaign materials featuring a shared logo. That logo shows a blue checkmark as the "V" in "vote" and includes the phrases "Supporting Students," "Strengthening Schools," and "Building Community" around its edge. According to the letter, Freedom of Information Act requests revealed that some or all of the districts have hired a public relations firm to run the campaign. The website is called "Tazewell for Students," and communications have been sent to families through district channels promoting the one-cent sales tax referendum.
The Illinois Policy Institute argues that three specific claims cross the line from sharing facts to illegal advocacy. First, the campaign says nearly 60% of the tax revenue would come from visitors and non-residents, but FOIA requests to the districts failed to produce any analysis backing up that figure. Second, materials claim the tax would "move the burden away from property tax payers," even though neighboring counties that passed similar taxes have continued to see property tax increases. Third, the name "Tazewell for Students" itself suggests that voting yes is "for" students and voting no is "against" them. The organization writes that these aren't factual statements but persuasive arguments designed to influence voters.
Illinois law explicitly bans public bodies from using taxpayer funds to urge voters to support or oppose any ballot measure. Section 9-25.1(b) of the state Election Code says "No public funds shall be used to urge any elector to vote for or against any candidate or proposition," and violations are criminal offenses. The cease-and-desist letter cites a 2000 opinion from then-Attorney General Jim Ryan, who concluded that local governments can't spend public money to influence referendum votes because political activities on public questions are "essentially private in nature." While districts are allowed to share factual information about policy issues, the line between education and advocacy becomes illegal when materials start persuading rather than informing. The institute's letter specifies that school employees can't use paid work time to promote the referendum, and districts must remove campaign logos from all official communications.
The organization demands the districts immediately stop using the campaign website, remove videos and logos from official platforms, halt funding for mailers and social media ads, and pull the "Tazewell for Students" branding from all communications including email signatures. The letter clarifies it's not demanding districts stop sharing factual information about the referendum—only that they stop using public money to push voters in one direction. If ethics complaints are filed and violations are confirmed, district officials could face criminal charges under state election law. The 17 districts named include District 50 Schools, Central School District 51, Washington Grade School District 52, Creve Coeur District 76, Robein District 85, North Pekin Marquette Heights District 102, Pekin Public Schools District 108, South Pekin 137, Midwest Central CUSD 191, Pekin CHSD 303, Washington CHSD 308, Spring Lake Elementary 606, Deer Creek-Mackinaw CUSD 701, Tremont CUSD 702, Delavan CUSD 703, and Morton CUSD 709.