MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Board took action on two hot-button issues at Monday night’s board meeting.

The board voted to tax recreational marijuana sales at the highest rate state law will allow. County board chairman Cliff Lindemann says the board wanted to make sure the tax ordinance was in the books before sales became legal at the new year. He says any extra income would help balance the county’s books.

Also approved Monday was an advisory question asking county residents if they would approve splitting Illinois into two states. Lindemann says the issue has been gaining momentum recently and the board wants to know what the will of the people is on the issue.

Because the issue is being put on the ballot as an advisory question, the vote would have no legal standing.