Tax Accountability Announces 2012 Endorsements

By on October 29, 2012   /   Items of Interest, Latest, News Releases  

View release as a PDF
Chicago—Today, Tax Accountability, the political action arm of Taxpayers United of America (TUA), announced its Illinois candidate endorsements for the November 6, 2012 general election.
“This is an important time to elect lawmakers at all levels of government, who promise to vote against any and all tax increases,” said Jim Tobin, president of TUA.
“I urge voters to support these individuals who have indicated their intent to spend taxpayer money responsibly and have signed our Taxpayer Protection Pledge in which they vow to vote NO on any tax increases. TUA will not endorse any candidate that does not sign our pledge.”

Cook County Commissioner of the Board of Review

U.S. House of Representatives

Illinois State House

Illinois State Senate

Back to Top

Cook County Proposes Huge Tax Hike on Poor

By on October 26, 2012   /   Illinois, Latest, News Releases, Pension Reform, Taxpayer Alert  

View release as a PDF
Chicago–Cook County Board boss Toni Preckwinkle’s promotion of a $1.00-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes as a humanitarian initiative has questionable motives, according to Rae Ann McNeilly, director of outreach for Taxpayers United of America (TUA).
“Such an increase targets those who can least afford it,” said McNeilly.
“Smoking is most prevalent among the poor without even a high school diploma, so why propose a tax that will hurt them more than help them? This is also the same group hardest hit by unemployment and crime, which will also be bolstered by this tax increase.”
“It is either naïve or dishonest to promote this tax hike from the bully pulpit at the Stroger Hospital, exploiting the truly sick and suffering as well as those who are dedicated to helping people quit smoking. Recent cigarette tax hikes have done nothing to decrease smoking. From 2006 to 2010, Cook County and Chicago held the country’s second highest tax rate. During that same period, smoking decreased by only 4% in Illinois, but decreased by 18.4% nationally, according to the CDC.”
“The county’s revenue from cigarette taxes fell from $200 million to $131 million, or 34%, after the cigarette tax-increase in 2006. Increasing cigarette taxes does nothing to reduce the number of smokers but, instead, pushes them to purchase across county lines or out of the trunks of black-market dealers.”
“It is difficult to believe that Cook County board president Toni Preckwinkle doesn’t understand the realities of cigarette tax-hikes and their unintended consequences. If revenue decreases, crime increases, and legitimate Cook County businesses will lose business, what is the intent?”
“I will be testifying on this outrageous proposal at the public hearing on Friday, October 26 at 9:00 a.m. in the County Building, 118 N Clark, Room 569. I urge everyone to attend one of the hearings and let the board know that we won’t stand by while taxes are raised on businesses and low-income residents.”
Public Hearings on the 2013 Cook County Budget:
•    Thursday, October 25, 2012 – 6:30pm Public Hearing – Skokie Courthouse (Forest Preserve begins at 6:00 PM)
•    Friday, October 26, 2012 – 9:00am – Public Hearing – County Building, 118 N Clark, Room 569
•    Tuesday, October 30, 2012 – 6:30pm Public Hearing – Markham Courthouse (Forest Preserve begins at 6:00 PM)
•    Thursday, November 1, 2012 – 6:30 pm Public Hearing – Maywood Courthouse
Taxpayers can pre-register to speak at any of the hearings at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C6JTW3H.

Back to Top

VIDEO: Magnum TI and the Case of Illinois' Fiscal Crisis (featuring Big Cheese Madigan)

By on October 23, 2012   /   Illinois, Latest, Pension Reform  

View release as a PDF
Chicago – Taxpayers United of America (TUA) today released a video with an important message for voters: vote out of office those Springfield Democrats responsible for the huge 67% personal income tax increase and end Michael Madigan’s reign as House Majority Leader.
“Boss Madigan has been speaker of the Illinois House for nearly 30 years ‘and has more power than Mike Tyson’s left hook’, so who is really to blame for our bleak financial state?” asks Jim Tobin, president of TUA.
“TUA has produced this video to remind voters exactly who the problem is here in Illinois. The hero of our story, Magnum TI, solves the mystery of how to reform Illinois. In this ‘film noir’, Magnum TI calls for the neutralization of ‘Big Cheese Madigan’ by making him the house minority leader.”

“If we don’t throw enough Democrats out of office to make Speaker Madigan the Minority Leader, the 67% temporary personal income tax increase will become permanent, and will be followed by even more tax increases.”
“Illinois is hemorrhaging, 18 jobs per hour and one taxpayer every minute, and we need to stop the bleeding with an immediate change in leadership.”
“We are sending this video to every Illinois member and press contact to spread the message: ‘Throw the bums out.’ Chicago Machine Boss Madigan led us to financial devastation and we intend to hold him and his cronies accountable.”
“But nobody tells the story better than our very own, Magnum TI. Watch him in action!”

Back to Top