JOLIET, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Joliet officials are dealing with questions over how to divvy up sales tax money generated by the city’s two cannabis dispensaries. They plan to start dealing with the issue next week.
Part of the issue is Joliet officials haven’t said publicly how much in pot sales tax money they’re dealing with. According to the city’s finance director, because Joliet only has two cannabis shops - for competitive reasons - the city cannot disclose how much money it has received in sales tax.
Officials will clarify that next week.
Councilman Terry Morris made it known what he’d like done with some of the money.
"To me, it doesn’t matter how much we receive in the tax. It’s just that a portion of that should be put back into the communities that was affected by the drugs," he said.
Garland Mays, president of a community organization, also urged the council to spend some portion of the tax generated by pot sales in neighborhoods hard hit by drugs over the years, particularly Council Districts 4 and 5.
Mays said he’s worried the city council will use the money, instead, to buy body cameras for police officers.
"Yes, city needs body cameras. There’s no doubt about it. But you can’t take from Peter to pay Paul on this," he said.
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