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Ill. county voters approve sales tax to support ambulance

Agency covers 60 miles; funds will help with equipment, other concerns

By Stephanie Tyrpak and Jared Roberts
WSIL TV-3

VIENNA, Ill. — A local ambulance service plans to speed response and improve care with funding from a new public safety tax. Johnson County voters approved the half-percent sales tax on Tuesday.

It will raise much-needed revenue for the county’s ambulance service. The agency’s average call covers 60 miles, and that’s taking a toll on its aging vehicles. “Without having any additional funds, it’s kind of hard to keep up with modern technology,” said Director Wendi Bailey.

The Johnson County Ambulance Service has been working for years to secure money for upgrades. A property tax referendum in 1999 failed.

Full Story: Sales Tax Will Benefit Ambulance Service