Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Metro-East Park and Recreation District?

The Metro-East Park and Recreation District’s primary duty is the development of a public system of interconnecting parks and trails throughout Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois.  Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, and Monroe Counties are eligible for inclusion in the district. The Metro East Park and Recreation District supplements, but does not substitute the powers and responsibilities of other park and recreation systems within the district.  The Metro East Park and Recreation District has the power to contract with other parks and recreation systems as well as other public and private entities. 

What is the Metro-East Park and Recreation District Tax?

Metro-East Park and Recreation District Tax is imposed by the District on all persons engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail within the district’s jurisdiction. Once an eligible county has received voter approval to become part of the District and adopts the ordinance, the Metro-East Park and Recreation District Tax becomes effective. The Illinois Department of Revenue is responsible for administering Metro-East Park and Recreation District Tax.

Note: When a district establishes a Metro-East Park and Recreation District Retailers’ Occupation Tax it must also impose a Metro-East Park and Recreation District Service Occupation Tax.

Are there kinds of sales that are not subject to this tax and that will not generate additional revenue?

Yes, Metro-East Park and Recreation District Tax does not apply to the sales of tangible personal property that is titled or registered with an agency of this state’s government, (e.g., cars, trucks, boats, motorcycle, trailers, snowmobiles, aircraft), and food for human consumption that is to be consumed off the premises where it is sold (other than alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and food which has been prepared for immediate consumption) and prescription and non-prescription medicines, drugs, medical appliances and insulin, urine testing materials, syringes, and needles used by diabetics. 

Do any restrictions exist on how local governments can use the collections from this tax?

Yes. The Metro-East District will distribute 50% of the amounts collected from each county back to that respective county for park and recreation purposes. Of that amount, not less than 50% must be distributed annually in the form of grants to park districts and municipal park and recreation departments within the county. The remaining 50% of the amounts collected from each county are allocated into the Metro-East Park and Recreation District Fund. 

Is voter approval required before implementation?

Yes, the county must receive voter approval to become a part of the Metro-East Park and Recreation District. 

What rate must be imposed?

Metro-East Park and Recreation District Tax must be imposed at 1/10 of one percent.

What action is required after voter approval?

The county must file certified election results, adopt the ordinance to impose the tax, and file a certified copy of the ordinance that imposes the tax with the Illinois Department of Revenue. 

What is the deadline for filing the ordinance?

If the local government has filed a certified copy of the ordinance with the department on or before April 1, the tax rate will take effect July 1 of the same year. October 1, the tax rate will take effect January 1 of the following year.

When will the district receive its first tax collection?

For taxes imposed effective January 1, the first disbursement will be made to the local government during the following April. For taxes imposed effective July 1, the first disbursement will be made to the local government during the following October.

Is there other general information I should know?

Metro East Park and Recreation District Tax will be disbursed separate from other taxes authorized for disbursement by IDOR. You will receive your disbursement in the same fashion you have chosen for your county sales tax disbursement.

Taxpayers are allowed to take a 1.75 percent discount for timely filing and payment of these taxes. Any allowable discount that is taken is reflected in the local government distributions that are made.

Statutory reference

Metro East Park and Recreation District Act, 70 ILCS 1605

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