Illinois homeowners and businesses shoulder some of the highest property taxes in the nation. The recent bills in Chicago \u2014 containing 30-year-high increases \u2014 are a reminder that these taxes are increasingly unaffordable. And while Chicago\u2019s spike has made headlines, the burden is felt everywhere in Illinois.<\/p>\n
Whether you own your home, run a business or pay rent, property taxes affect everyone. They drive up the cost of living and push families and employers out of Illinois, creating a shrinking tax base that forces those remaining to pay more.<\/p>\n
It does not have to stay this way. Illinois is not doomed to perpetual tax increases. There are lawmakers \u2014 and candidates \u2014 who put forward serious, workable solutions that can lower property taxes. For example, many of my Republican colleagues and I have filed bills aimed at reducing property taxes, including HB0009. This bill was projected to save taxpayers more than $82 billion over 20 years.<\/p>\n
I also introduced legislation to reform workers\u2019 compensation and make Illinois a more competitive state for business. When jobs and investment return, the tax burden spreads, reducing costs for everyone.<\/p>\n
But to fix the problem, voters must recognize a main cause; and it is: one-party control by the Democrats. For roughly 25 years, the Democrats have controlled state government \u2014 and Cook County far longer. When only one party governs, accountability disappears. Good ideas are blocked without debate, and failed policies continue.<\/p>\n
Bills that can help never receive hearings, let alone get to the floor for votes. Not because they lack merit, but because the majority party has absolute control over the process and refuses to allow debate. It has been clear for a while that without more balance in government, nothing changes.<\/p>\n
The solution \u2014 elections.<\/p>\n
Voters have a choice between Republicans who are committed to reforms that can make Illinois more affordable and Democrats who have presided over rising taxes and outmigration. Elections have consequences.<\/p>\n
For those fortunate enough not to feel the sting of these taxes, I ask: Who lacks compassion, Democrats whose policies push families out of their homes and employers across state lines or Republicans whose policies offer solutions that let people keep more of what they earn and expand opportunity?<\/p>\n
Illinois can change. And it starts with electing officials who will fight for taxpayers, not against them.<\/p>\n
\u2014 State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva<\/p>\n
Elected officials\u2019 taxes<\/p>\n
The Dec. 1 story (\u201cWho\u2019s to blame for property tax bills?\u201d<\/a>) on finger-pointing by elected officials directing blame for property tax increases to every office but their own is a continued reflection of government accountability avoidance. I\u2019ve been a Cook County property taxpayer since 1989, and it is painful to continually witness the absence of integrity, personal responsibility, mutual respect and teamwork by our elected representatives.<\/p>\n If the Tribune really wants to do some investigative journalism, why not a story detailing the property tax history for each elected official, whether their increases fell at, below or above the median increase that year, and whether they attempted (and were successful) in appealing their assessment?<\/p>\n Something tells me we might not be surprised to learn the old adage, \u201cwhat\u2019s good for the goose is good for the gander,\u201d doesn\u2019t apply to our elected officials.<\/p>\n \u2014 Rich Baird, Palatine<\/p>\n Try a new income tax<\/p>\n Who\u2019s to blame for property tax bills? Springfield is to blame. Taxing the value of property is absurd, because the value of the property has nothing to do with a person\u2019s ability to pay ever-increasing taxes on it.<\/p>\n I have advocated for over 30 years to shift the cost of public education (at least) to a separate income tax. This would make property taxes affordable for most people, but the tax is still absurd.<\/p>\n \u2014 Larry Craig, Wilmette<\/p>\n Homeowners\u2019 obligation<\/p>\n Aren\u2019t all responsible property owners obligated to pay taxes? When you buy a house, it\u2019s your obligation as the owner to budget for mortgage and taxes. You don\u2019t purchase a home expecting someone else to make the payments.<\/p>\n Also, the taxing bodies should do due diligence when assessing taxes, making sure the taxes are fair and equitable.<\/p>\n \u2014 Donna M. Soukup,\u00a0Darien<\/p>\n Tactic for takeovers<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t vote for our current mayor. And I won\u2019t be voting for him in a couple of years either. A 14-year-old kid gets killed downtown. Does the mayor say that he will rethink, at least, his position on the snap curfew? No, he doesn\u2019t. He only keeps going on about the causes.<\/p>\n That\u2019s all well and good. But there needs to be something done to curtail these takeovers.<\/p>\n \u2014 Michael J. Medley, Chicago<\/p>\n State\u2019s probate system<\/p>\n The Nov. 30 article \u201c\u2019Out of money in no time\u2019\u201d<\/a> struck a chord with us. The article underscores a reality many Illinois families and human service professionals already know too well: Our state\u2019s probate system no longer reflects the needs of today\u2019s older adults and people with disabilities.<\/p>\n Illinois is aging quickly, yet the structures meant to support vulnerable residents have not kept pace. The caregiving workforce is shrinking, costs continue to rise and community services that should prevent crisis are stretched thin. When families can\u2019t find adequate support, they often end up in probate court, not because it is the best solution but because it is the only one available.<\/p>\n Probate courts work hard under difficult circumstances, but they are increasingly asked to manage problems rooted in gaps in medical, social and long-term care \u2014 gaps the legal system was never built to fill alone.<\/p>\n Illinois needs modern reform that strengthens oversight while offering clearer processes and practical alternatives to guardianship. We must also invest in community-based services so older adults and people with disabilities can remain as independent as possible. The goal is simple: protection that preserves dignity, autonomy and common sense.<\/p>\n The Tribune\u2019s reporting should be a catalyst. Illinois can build a system worthy of the people who rely on it, but only if we recognize yesterday\u2019s rules can\u2019t handle today\u2019s realities.<\/p>\n \u2014 Sheila McMackin, LCSW, and Steven Fox, D.O., Chicago<\/p>\n Chicagoans\u2019 generosity<\/p>\n ln these past few months, I have been dealing with some ambulation issues. When I have been navigating the city streets and on transit, I have been gratified by the generosity of the human spirit as people offer a helping hand or the CTA bus drivers go overboard to make transit easier and less stressful.<\/p>\n There have been other acts of helpfulness I have experienced that have made life a bit easier for me. All of this is refreshing and encouraging in these hard times.<\/p>\n \u2014 Joseph Murry, Chicago<\/p>\n Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here<\/a> or email letters@chicagotribune.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Illinois homeowners and businesses shoulder some of the highest property taxes in the nation. 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