MCLEAN COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD) — McLean County Sheriff Matt Lane confirms there is a complaint accusing McLean County Schools’ public officials of election interference.

According to Lane, his department opened the investigation earlier in March. But he said there would not be an outcome before the election.

The investigation is in connection to the proposed County Schools Facility Tax. Normal Public Radio Station WGLT first reported that Bloomington resident Dean Fletcher filed a complaint with the Regional Office of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education back in February. That complaint alleged the school district was violating the election code by sharing a website that asked voters to ‘approve’ the tax.

The sheriff said that sometime after that complaint, the website changed the wording from “approve” to “consider.” According to the Illinois Council of School Attorneys, districts can spend money on public referendums but that is only, “provided district funds are not used to advocate for or against a referendum.”

The 1% tax was approved to be put on the April 1 ballot by Unit 5 and District 87 school boards back in December. The tax would be applied to items currently subject to sales tax, including dining, online sales and gasoline. If approved, the money will be distributed to schools based on student enrollment.Referendum could lower property tax in McLean County

Lane said the election interference claim is a Class B misdemeanor, which could result in a fine. It is unlikely it will have any impact on the outcome of the election, but Lane said that “doesn’t change the fact this may be a valid complaint, and we will investigate.”

WMBD TV can be reached at [email protected].