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Rauner issues executive order barring legislators from representing clients at PTAB

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* Press release…

Gov. Bruce Rauner today issued an executive order declaring it impermissible for state legislators to represent clients before the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, which hears appeals of assessment decisions made in the state’s 102 counties.

Calling the practice a “clear conflict of interest that must end,” Rauner said the order, which is effective immediately, is a key step toward restoring public trust and motivating lawmakers to tackle meaningful property-tax reform.

“We have a deeply flawed and overly complicated property-tax system that recent investigations have shown results in inequitable, disproportionately high property-tax burdens on low-income residents — not to mention our property taxes overall are simply too high,” Rauner said. “For any legislator to profit from this system undercuts the public’s faith that they are in office to do what’s best for their constituents.

“Legislators who make money representing clients who are appealing their property-tax assessments have little incentive to do what’s right when it comes to property-tax reform,” Rauner continued. “Frankly, they have everything to gain from the status quo. The action I’m taking today marks the beginning of the end of a dubious era.”

The order:

Directs members of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board to prohibit state legislators from participating in appeals coming before them.
Directs the board to prohibit legislators from receiving any fee or compensation, directly or indirectly, through any interest in a partnership, limited liability corporation or other business entity representing clients before it.
Notes a State of Illinois Code of Personal Conduct requirement that government be conducted in a transparent, ethical, accountable and motivated manner.
Points out that state officials and employees “may not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with their official state duties and responsibilities,” according to the conduct code.
Directs the board to amend its rules and procedures to reflect the executive order.

The Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board hears about 30,000 appeals a year, approximately three-fourths of them from Cook County.

“Conflicts of interest clearly arise where legislators and regulators receive financial benefits by charging Illinois citizens and businesses through a morass of red tape those same officials created by passing complicated rules and establishing confusing and bureaucratic processes,” the executive order states.

Crippling taxes overall and an onerous property-tax system are eroding the state’s ability to thrive and driving homeowners and small businesses toward insolvency — and increasingly, toward the border.

While property taxes are cited frequently as a top reason for leaving Illinois, the state is duty-bound to take concrete steps to correct the system, Rauner said. He noted the state’s population declined by an estimated 33,700 in 2017, the greatest numeric population loss of any state, and the fourth year in a row that Illinois’ population dropped.

“Illinoisans are tired of a rigged system that allows lawmakers to profit at their expense,” Rauner said. “I’m here to fight on their behalf.”

The full order is here.

…Adding… I’ve asked the Kennedy campaign for comment, but haven’t yet heard back. Not sure why.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:46 pm

Comments

This will go to the courts.

I guess withholding legislator pay wasn’t silly enough?

“We’ll see… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:49 pm
This sounds strikingly like a certain Democratic candidate for governor…almost like they were singing off the same song sheet.

Someone please sue and get this over with. What a joke.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:50 pm
This is free campaigning for Rauner(Ives). He/she wins simply because of the headlines it generates. Jeanne thanks you.

Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:53 pm
Chris Kennedy is certainly applauding this.

Comment by TopHatMonocle Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:54 pm
Cripes, this is just embarrassing. Captain Rauner is foaming at the mouth at the front of his ship, screaming to the crew of the Pequod that he’ll catch that Madigan if it’s the last thing he ever does.

This isn’t a man interested in turning around Illinois. This isn’t even about placating his buddies like Uihlein and Griffin anymore. This is an entitled madman blind to anything but revenge, because for the first time in his life, he came across someone better at the game than he was, and they told him “no.”

That ain’t leadin’.

Comment by Roadrager Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:56 pm
When you have no actual accomplishments…

Comment by Nick Name Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:57 pm
Is this dude in charge or what? Sleep better tonight, citizens. Gov. Rauner is on the job — your concerns and priorities are his.

Seriously, for the first time ever, Gov. Businessman is showing some appreciation of ROI.

Whatever political benefit he gets out of this cheap political stunt is gravy — it’s all on the taxpayer dime. Doesn’t cost him a penny.

You know, Gov. Rauner, it’s not too late to buy a boat. It will fill your retirement days and cost a lot of money, but you get to wear a skipper’s hat (that Village People’s vest is running out of space).

So you’d have that going for you. Which is nice.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 4:58 pm
Can anyone tell us if there are any legislators currently representing people before PTAB?

Comment by who Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 5:01 pm
Using that logic no one who pays taxes can be a legislator because there is a conflict of interest.

Comment by Union Dues Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 5:02 pm
This is the governor taking a huge behind the scenes swipe at Durkin, Connelly and Barrickman. Looks like all bets are off at this point.
Hope someone calls them for react.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 5:03 pm
Releasing this on a Friday afternoon ahead of a potential federal government shutdown doesn’t suggest the administration is serious about this.

And what does this mean: “by charging Illinois citizens and businesses through a morass of red tape”? Charging through a morass? Sounds heroic to me, thanks legislators for your brave deeds.

This is nice too: “because this is profoundly unfair property tax system”.

Comment by Swift Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 5:09 pm
===Can anyone tell us if there are any legislators currently representing people before PTAB?===

Maybe Rep. Martwick. But he and his dad have the same name, so I’m not sure. One or the other or both have 9 current cases at PTAB.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 19, 18 @ 5:14 pm