Road Referendum Race in Final Stretch

It was nearly a year ago that Rockford residents overwhelmingly turned down a similar one percent sales tax increase. This time around, supporters of the referendum have ramped up their campaigning efforts leading some to believe this could be a much closer race. 

A group of Rockford religious leaders rallied Tuesday to support the passage of the sales tax increase. The Minister's Fellowship is one of nearly 40 organizations and businesses backing the tax increase.  

Endorsements for the referendum have been coming in each week from supporters that include manufacturing companies to labor unions.

Rockford College Political Professor Robert Evans says the release of endorsements is part of a saavy political strategy.

"One reason that the endorsements are dribbling out is on purpose so that each day there's another endorsement and that tends to indicate broad based support, " says Evans.

Along with endorsements, supporters are giving donations totaling nearly $100,000 which is nearly triple the amount received last year.

"People tend not to spend money on a losing cause,” says Evans. “So the supporters seem to think that they have a good chance and they're willing to spend money to enhance their chances."

But referendum opponents are also spending tens of thousands of dollars to get their own message out. But Evans says that ultimately whoever gets the voters to the polls will win the race. 

"The opponents will walk around coals or snow drifts to get there," says Evans. "The supporters have to be motivated and energized to turn out."

The referendum looks to increase the city's portion of the sales tax by one percent pushing the total tax to 8.25%. If approved, revenue generated by the tax will bring in $90 million over the next five years.