Antioch ballot initiative to fund EMS

The *Daily Herald* recently published an article discussing a critical referendum taking place in Antioch, which could significantly impact emergency services for residents in both the village and Antioch Township. Since May, local fire officials have been vocal about the need for a new funding model to support ambulance and rescue operations. According to Fire Chief John Nixon of the Antioch Fire Department, the current system—relying on cash reserves to cover these essential services—is unsustainable. With over 27,000 residents in the area, the department and the First Fire Protection District are facing financial strain, as they’ve had to dip into their reserves to maintain ambulance and emergency medical services (EMS). To address this, officials are proposing a new property tax rate specifically dedicated to EMS. The proposed tax would be 25 cents per $100 of equalized assessed value. For a home valued at $100,000, this would equate to roughly $83 in the first year. If approved, the tax is expected to generate approximately $1.5 million annually, with most of the funds going toward staffing and equipment, and some set aside for future capital needs. This proposal comes after the Antioch Rescue Squad, which had served the township for 75 years, was not offered a contract to continue its operations. The squad had relied largely on donations rather than a dedicated tax, making it difficult to sustain its services. As a result, the fire department has taken over all ambulance and rescue calls, leading to increased costs that have consumed two-thirds of the fire district’s cash reserves. Currently, operating these services costs around $35,000 per month. If the referendum fails, the consequences could be severe. Village leaders warn that if residents reject the measure, cuts to other public services may be necessary to fund EMS through the general budget. Similarly, a loss in the township could lead to reduced ambulance availability, longer response times, or even reliance on more expensive private agencies. Fire Chief Nixon emphasized that while paramedics would still respond to all calls, patients might need to be transported by private ambulances, with the cost passed directly to the user. This scenario highlights the growing urgency of the issue, as the community faces tough decisions about how to ensure continued access to life-saving care.

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