Dining out in Flossmoor will soon come with a small added cost after the village board voted to approve a new tax on restaurant purchases as part of broader efforts to support village services and economic development.

At its April 20 meeting, the trustees approved on the consent agenda a 2.5% food and beverage tax on meals purchased at restaurants and similar establishments. The tax — commonly referred to as a “places for eating tax” — is set to take effect July 1, 2026.

The tax applies to businesses that sell prepared food for immediate consumption, including restaurants, cafes and bars, and is calculated based on gross receipts. While the tax is imposed on business owners, they may pass the cost on to customers.

Village officials have said the measure is intended to help stabilize finances while maintaining current service levels. The tax is commonly used in neighboring communities and is often paid in part by visitors dining in town, creating a new revenue stream beyond property taxes. 

The board also approved updates to the village’s outdoor dining regulations.

Outdoor dining — which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic — will continue to be permitted from April 15 through Nov. 1, with updated rules reflecting the village’s recently completed downtown streetscape improvements.

With wider sidewalks now in place, outdoor seating can be accommodated without using parking spaces, a shift from earlier pandemic-era arrangements. The ordinance also requires that pedestrian walkways remain clear to maintain accessibility.

Both measures are tied to the village’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget.

Village officials have said the measures are intended to support long-term economic development, with restaurants playing a key role in the vitality of Flossmoor’s downtown.