A rough day for many local referendums

Tuesday was a rough day for many referendums in the Sauk Valley, especially those that required more money to be spent. By the time Election Day was over, six referendums had been shot down - most notably the 1-cent dedicated sales tax proposal for school maintenance and repairs in Whiteside County. Voters said no, 57.5 percent to 42.5 percent. Desperate for new revenue, all county school districts except one had requested the sales tax issue be placed on the November ballot, and the county board agreed. The "no" vote means schools will not share an estimated $4 million in new tax dollars. They'll have to find another way to pay for needed repairs and upgrades, or do without. Another school referendum - this one a $5.5 million building bond