Rockford Sun

Winnebago County opposed five referendums and voted in favor of three others on Nov. 6.

The New Rate Under the Public Graveyards Act was voted down. The question on the ballot was: "Shall Durand Township, Winnebago County, Illinois, be authorized to levy a new tax for cemetery purposes and have an additional tax of .20% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein extended for such purposes?"

With 100 percent of the votes counted, 258 approved and 670 opposed the proposition.

The proposition to create a new tax rate for pension fund purposes was voted down. The question on the ballot was: "Shall the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District, Winnebago County, Illinois, be authorized to levy a new tax for firefighters’ pension purposes and have an additional tax of 0.005146% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein extended for such purposes?"

With 100 percent of the votes counted, 5,523 approved and 7,284 opposed the proposition.

The proposition to increase maximum tax rates for corporate purposes was also voted down. The question on the ballot asked: "Shall the maximum allowable tax rate for the New Milford Fire Protection District be increased from .305 to .40% of the value of all taxable property within the District as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue?"

With 100 percent of the votes counted, 391 approved and 601 opposed the proposition.

The Village of Winnebago said "no" to the proposition on the prohibition retail sales of liquor: "Shall the prohibition of the sale at retail of alcoholic liquor be continued in the Village of Winnebago?".

With 100 percent of the votes counted, 180 approved and 1,203 opposed the proposition.

The proposition for the North Park Fire Protection District was not approved: "Shall the North Park Fire Protection District of Winnebago County, Illinois, be authorized to levy a new tax for emergency and rescue crews and equipment purposes and have an additional tax of .10% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein extended for such purposes?"

With 100 percent of the votes counted, 2,080 approved and 2,687 opposed the proposition.

Another referendum voted for was The Advisory Proposition to consolidate the City of Rockford Board of Elections and the Election Department of the Winnebago County Clerk: "Should the City of Rockford Board of Elections and the Election Department of Winnebago County Clerk be consolidated?"

With 100 percent of the votes counted, 33,139 approved and 16,808 opposed the proposition.

The referendum to reinstate Amtrak passenger rail service was approved by voters. The question read: "Shall the State of Illinois pursue reinstating Amtrak passenger rail service to Northwest Illinois from Chicago, through Rockford, to East Dubuque?"

With 100 percent of the votes counted, 40,540 approved and 11,348 opposed the proposition.

The Village of Machesney Parks Advisory Referendum on the issue of burning yard waste within the Village of Machesney Park was approved by voters:"Should the Village of Machesney Park allow open burning of yardwaste within the Village limits?"

With 100 percent of the votes counted, 4,934 approved and 2,710 opposed the proposition.