Chicago –After promising their overpaid bureaucrats lavish pensions, local governments have come up with a novel new way to squeeze money from taxpayers. In an audacious move, local politicians are eyeing the liberal powers of Home Rule for the purpose of imposing a municipal income tax on Illinois taxpayers.
“Home Rule is Home Ruin, and the first step in creating a municipal income tax”, stated Jim Tobin, president of Taxpayers United of America. “Home Rule in Illinois strips the power of the taxpayers to vote on new or unlimited increases in taxes, and widens the scope on what can be taxed.”
“We are helping three communities fight Home Rule referenda in the March 17, 2020 primary election. Burr Ridge, Westchester and Lynwood must defeat the implementation of Home Rule to prevent unlimited and burdensome taxation. Implementation of Home Rule enables a community to begin the process of imposing local income taxes that are deducted right from your paycheck!”
“After November 3, we will see the reality of this assault on taxpayers. There are so many new taxes being imposed right now that government bureaucrats are waiting until after the general election to usher in this newest taxation nightmare, a Local Personal Income Tax.”
“Municipal bureaucrats always promise not to abuse Home Rule power, but once they have it, they always abuse it by imposing excessive taxes and fees to fund their pet projects despite the ever-present government pension obligations.”
“The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) is heavily subsidized by local property taxes. It is also true that IMRF pensions must be paid before all other expenses. Local bureaucrats will do whatever it takes to cash their paychecks and their pensions, including imposing a new individual income tax. On top of all this, remember that IMRF pensioners are also eligible for social security.”
“We are helping local residents in Burr Ridge, Westchester, and Lynwood defeat Home Rule on March 17. Links to the Vote No flyers for each community in the fight can be found below. Please download and share with your friends and neighbors in these communities.”
Click below to view or download:
“Home Rule does nothing for taxpayers. It forces us to relinquish one of our most important rights and that is the right to vote on tax increases or new taxes. Say goodbye to your ability to voice your opinion through voting on these, among other powers you hand to politicians:
1) Raise property taxes without referendum and removes the 1.9% cap on village property tax increases.
2) Is the first step in creating a local income tax.
3) Impose new taxes in the form of fees, licenses, and regulations.
4) Expedite seizures of private property.
5) Give city property to private interests without competitive bidding.
“I urge you to vote no on any and all Home Rule referenda. It’s never a good idea to give more power to government bureaucrats”, concluded Tobin
