It's unlikely that nascent efforts to have Orland Township detach from Cook County and become part of Will County will advance beyond Tuesday's advisory referendum question, township Supervisor Paul O'Grady indicated Wednesday.

He said that while township voters “sent a message” to Cook County officials regarding their feelings about taxation, they had “not sent a clear and decisive message” about wanting to explore the process of breaking away from the county, he said.

O'Grady had previously said he would have wanted an overwhelming endorsement from voters in order for township officials to consider picking up the ball and running with it. According to unofficial vote totals from the Cook County clerk's office, 54 percent of township voters favored separation and 46 opted to stay put.

Of the 69,297 registered voters in the township, 45,382 cast votes on the question, according to the clerk's office.

On Wednesday, O'Grady said that “had it been more in line (with the results) of the climate change question” the decision to proceed to the next step might have been easier. Along with the secession question, the township asked voters whether their congressional representatives should sponsor and support measures acknowledging the “serious threat posed by climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a clear, transparent and effective way.” On that issue, 73.5 percent voted in favor while 26.5 percent were opposed.

Even if the “Yes” votes on separation had been overwhelming, the township would have faced an expensive, lengthy and possibly ultimately futile campaign, as Cook County would have to agree to the township leaving.

Two suburbs — Crete and Olympia Fields — won voter approval for non-home rule local sales taxes. Both communities expect the revenue the taxes will generate will help pay for road work and other infrastructure improvements. Revenue from such taxes can also be used to provide property tax relief.

In Crete, the vote was 53 percent in favor compared with 47 percent opposed to a half-cent sales tax the village expects will generate $400,000 annually.

Olympia Fields voters supported the new 1 percent tax by a margin of 59 percent to 41 percent.

That village expects the tax to generate an additional $750,000 in annual revenue for the village. Olympia Fields expects to use the money to pay for projects, such as road improvements and replacing old water mains, according to village administrator David Mekarski.

Approval of the new tax comes after the September opening of a Wal-Mart Supercenter, northwest of the intersection of U.S. 30 and Western Avenue. Olympia Fields now sees about $700,000 annually in sales tax revenue, and the village expects the big-box store to generate another $500,000, he said.

Communities such as Crestwood, Orland Park and Tinley Park have instituted local sales taxes as a way of generating a new revenue stream. Suburbs tout them as a fairer way to raise money because people from outside the town who come to shop share in the tax burden, unlike a property tax hike which falls squarely on residents.

Two proposals relating to fire protection in Merrionette Park failed to win voter support. One called for providing $500,000 annually to support a part-time fire department, with 39.6 percent of voters supporting the idea and 60.4 percent opposed. The village currently has a paid-on-call department.

The second question proposed allocating $700,000 to create a full-time fire department, and 34.2 percent of voters were in favor while 65.8 percent were opposed.

mnolan@tribpub.com