(BENTON, IL) — Franklin County voters overwhelming said no in Tuesday’s Consolidated Election to a one percent sales tax referendum that would have raise funds to build a new county courthouse in Benton. With 31 of 35 precincts reporting, the vote showed 3,921 people voting no while 2,092 voted yes. County leaders for several weeks went around the county and held town hall meeting to explain the referendum and the need for a new courthouse. The current facility was built in 1870 and is in bad shape.