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* Press release…
Illinois continued its fight against higher property taxes by launching a new online advertisement highlighting that Illinois homeowners have yet to be granted much-needed property tax relief.
The targeted online ad criticizes lawmakers who have yet to pass a property tax freeze through the General Assembly. For years, state legislators have discussed freezing property taxes for Illinoisans; however, a property tax freeze hasn’t become a reality, and Illinois now has the second highest property taxes in the country. […]
In addition to the online advertisement, AFP-IL activists have made more than 17,000 phone calls and hundreds of patch-thrus to legislators, urging that passage of property tax relief and giving local governments the tools necessary to control their costs - namely greater freedom over prevailing wage restrictions and collective bargaining - should be a top priority in Springfield. This week, AFP-IL has also begun the first phase of a petition circulation campaign in 18 municipalities.
* Rate it…
* Script…
Blah.Blah.
All talk. No results.
On property taxes, that’s the story in Springfield.
Year after year, state legislators talk about freezing your property taxes.
They talk and talk. And while they talk, property taxes keeping going up and up.
Illinois property taxes are crushing homeowners and all the legislators do is talk.
Let’s break this recurring circle.
Because Illinois families deserve real results and a lot less talk.
Blah.Blah.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 9:51 am
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Springfield is an attractive target these days. But if you have a beef with property taxes being to high, you should take it to the people who actually raise them — the local units of government.
Springfield has already put caps on most property taxing bodies.
Comment by RTR Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 10:04 am
Needs a stronger call-to-action than just a “contact your legislator” graphic at the end.
Also, what would they suggest they say to the legislator — any specific proposal you want to push? I don’t think it’s a secret that people aren’t thrilled with property taxes.
So…. pretty weak effort.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 10:16 am
Lets say the property tax is frozen, then what will units of local government do to generate more revenue? The ad is silent on this point. The ad points to the problem but not the solution.
Comment by Hit or Miss Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 10:22 am
As for its content, this ad invites a response that lays bare the reason property taxes keep going up: the state’s regressive and inadequate revenue system that prevents it from meeting its responsibility to fund K-12 education, etc. Local governments have been forced to fill the gap with higher property and sales taxes. Institute a progressive, or just less regressive, state tax structure set at a reasonable level and we can cut, not just freeze, local taxes.
This discussion would not help advance the goals of AFP. Of course, IL Dems aren’t eager for this discussion either, so perhaps the risk to AFP is small.
Comment by X-prof Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 10:39 am
To add to what Hit or Miss said, freezing property taxes will mean that some other tax will increase.
To provide necessary government services, revenue must come from someone’s pocket. Like it or not, this is a fact of life.
Take your pick, potable water or roads, schools or social services.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 10:41 am
Two-thirds or more of the property tax bills goes to school districts. Funding K-12 education properly at the state level will reduce that upward pressure. This AFP-IL blather is just noise that doesn’t lead to a solution.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 10:50 am
The ad is pretty soft but all they have to do is say “property taxes are high” and that will get peoples attention.
Many good posts already, people here are on it when it comes to many of the reasons for property taxes being what they are in Illinois.
AFP- We stand for Billionaires is what their name really should be.
The irony of this ILGA and Governor passing a property tax freeze on other governmental bodies is priceless. This is the same group that is institutionally incompetent and cannot manage the most basic of responsibilities. Get a budget done and then come talk to me.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 11:05 am
Solid B. The “blah blah blah” is gonna imprint in folks’ memories if they see it, and could be a dinner party conversation-starter for folks. They don’t say they’re for anything, which I think is starting to become more important for voters so that’s the only reason it doesn’t get an A. Would give the caveat that I’m not saying I agree with the AFP on this at all. It’s just smart advertising.
Comment by Curious Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 11:16 am
The blah blah blahs gave me a chuckle, but I’m amazed that this or any group thinks silly videos will compel anyone in Springfield to do anything at this point.
C-. C for being just an average video and the minus for misleading info on increasing property taxes.
Comment by Politix Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 11:16 am
Same problem. Fire and Police pension levies are the biggest increases in local property taxes. The State sets the bennies and adds on the perks for local fire/police pensions, then tells cities to fund them via fire/police property tax pension levies. So the State electeds get all the back pats for giving to our first responders, but the local electeds get the bill.
Combine that with the State failing to meet legally mandated school funding requirements and voila, out of control property taxes. It really is that simple.
Comment by Shemp Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 11:39 am
Dance Band gets it right. If we want to affect property taxes in a meaningful way, fix the way we fund public education. My property taxes are $10,000/yr. Slightly more than $2000 goes to the local governments which arguably provide everyday public services (i.e. municipality, county, fire district, sewer district, water agency, etc.) The rest goes to the schools — elementary through community college.
Comment by GA Watcher Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 11:43 am
Since Rauner took office, the House has taken several votes on the property tax freeze. No Republicans voted for the freeze. AFP isn’t interested in that fact.
Comment by anon Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 11:52 am
doing away with prevailing wage will not save money the contractor will charge the same he will be the winner. the losers will be the labors and the state with a lower pay check and less taxes paid.
Comment by jw Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 12:22 pm
Since being a State Sen. or Rep. is a part-time job, take a look at what the Speaker and Pres. do for their full-time job. Property tax appeals in Cook County. 35% contingent savings. Mikey made over $1M in fees on the Aon center alone last year.
Comment by fair is fair Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 1:13 pm
Isn’t the property tax the main way that we allow county and local governments to raise revenue. In addition they can add income tax or sales tax, but property tax is the one they annually set to pay for their costs. how would a freeze help those governments to balance their own sheets. Wouldn’t a freeze impose the same problems the state is having on the localities. Why would a member of the GA vote to take away his localities taxing power when he is unable to provide more money from the state budget?
Comment by Simple Mind Friday, Apr 15, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Why doesn’t anyone talk about our state providing the LEAST amount of school funding in the nation on a percentage basis, and not see the correlation to the higher property taxes? The two go hand in hand and no one even talks about it.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 18, 16 @ 9:13 am