NEW STUDY CONFIRMS ILLINOIS IS WORST STATE IN THE COUNTRY FOR TAXES

By on October 4, 2019   /   Latest  
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CHICAGO—“A new study by Kiplinger’s cites Illinois as the ‘least tax-friendly state’ of all 50 states,” said Jim Tobin, president of Taxpayers United of Illinois (TUA). (See https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-the-least-tax-friendly-state-in-america-and-california-doesnt-even-crack-the-top-10-2019-10-02)

“California doesn’t even crack the top ten in this ‘exclusive’ list of tax-hungry states,” said Tobin. Kiplinger’s released its list of the most — and least — tax-friendly states in America, and to draw its conclusions, it used a hypothetical couple with two kids and $150,000 in income a year plus $10,000 in dividend income, and then looked at the income-, property- and sales-tax burden that family would face.”

According to the study, “Illinois took the No. 1 spot on the list, thanks in large part to its high property taxes. The Land of Lincoln was followed by Connecticut and New York, both of which have pretty high-income taxes.”

“To make matters worse, Ill. Gov. Jay Robert ‘J. B.’ Pritzker had his Springfield thugs put the Income Tax Increase Amendment on the statewide 2020 ballot, which would convert the Illinois income tax into a graduated income tax. Can you imagine the catastrophic result if this evil amendment passes? The exodus from Illinois by middle-class taxpayers would become a flood, and Illinois would be left with less-affluent residents who would have to pay higher and higher taxes to make up the difference.” “This excellent study by Kiplinger’s is another word of warning of the disaster that would befall Illinois if taxes are increased again by Pritzker and his Springfield henchmen.”

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Peoria Property Tax Squeeze: Pay More to Fund Gov. Pensions

By on September 25, 2019   /   Latest  

This story was featured by NBC Peoria and CBS Peoria. Click the links to view their coverage.

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Peoria, IL – Taxpayer Education Foundation (TEF) today released its updated study on Peoria municipal and county government pensions, including the top 200 pensions in the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), and the State University Retirement System (SURS). TUA issued the following statement based on the TEF pension study:

“Peoria City bureaucrats showed their contempt for taxpayers by finding creative ways to increase property taxes,” said Jim Tobin, TUA president. “Peoria now has a ‘public pension safety fee.’ Every little shed on homeowners’ property now costs $50 a year. And if you have a building larger than 5,000 square feet, you must pay an additional $300 a year. This is on top of the already high 2.5% effective property tax rate on their homes.”

“Of this property tax increase, 100% of the revenue, estimated at $2.2 million the first year, is earmarked for IMRF pensions. This ‘fee’ will increase regularly now that it’s in place.”

“The IMRF pension fund, which gives lavish, gold-plated pension benefits to retired municipal employees, is funded by property taxes. $903 million in property taxes have been shoveled into this fund to keep it afloat.”

“The IMRF pension fund, like the other government pension funds, is a Pyramid Scheme that cannot be sustained as more and more people leave the Peoria area for lower tax communities. Peoria has already eliminated 22 firefighter positions and 16 police positions.”

“Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis recently stated that over 95% of all property taxes are poured into the city’s local pension funds.”

· Click Here to see the top 200 Peoria area TRS pensions

· Click Here to see the top 200 Peoria area municipal, and Peoria County IMRF pensions

· Click Here to see the top Illinois Central College SURS pensions

“The entire local and statewide pension system in Illinois is unsustainable. The other five statewide pension funds are funded by the state income tax. Democrat Governor Jay Robert ‘J. B.’ Pritzker and his tax-raising cronies want to stick it to middle class taxpayers by increasing the income tax under the guise of a ‘more fair’ graduated income tax, so they can make it through the next election cycle. When the state goes under, they will be enjoying their retirements in Arizona or Florida.”

“Middle-class Peoria taxpayers would be decimated by the Pritzker income-tax hike if it passes. There is nothing fair about his ‘fair tax’ that will, by design, siphon even more wealth out of the pockets of the middle-class. Pritzker’s tax increases won’t stop there as we’ve seen with the gargantuan gasoline tax increase.”

“When you look at what the individual government retirees are actually collecting in taxpayer funded pensions, you can get a better idea of why this theft of taxpayer wealth is so egregious. Keep in mind that the average taxpayer will collect only about $17,500 a year from Social Security, and that most IMRF pensioners are also eligible for a Social Security pension.”

Francis Hinton retired from Peoria SD 150. His current annual TRS pension is $ 217,419. His estimated lifetime payout is a lucrative $4,809,603.

Kevin W. Lyons retired from Peoria County at the age of 55. His current IMRF pension is $147,760 and will accumulate to about $3,961,654 over a normal lifetime. Kevin is also eligible for a social security pension.

Illinois Central College retiree, Thomas Thomas collects $225,070 in annual pension payments. His payments into SURS total $148,054. He will collect, over a normal lifetime, $4,895,542.

“All Illinois government new hires should be placed in a 401(k) style retirement savings account, beginning immediately, and the retirement age should be increased to 65. These measures would at least stop the bleeding until comprehensive pension reform can be enacted.”

This story was featured by NBC Peoria and CBS Peoria. Click the links to view their coverage.

View as PDF

Peoria, IL – Taxpayer Education Foundation (TEF) today released its updated study on Peoria municipal and county government pensions, including the top 200 pensions in the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), and the State University Retirement System (SURS). TUA issued the following statement based on the TEF pension study:

“Peoria City bureaucrats showed their contempt for taxpayers by finding creative ways to increase property taxes,” said Jim Tobin, TUA president. “Peoria now has a ‘public pension safety fee.’ Every little shed on homeowners’ property now costs $50 a year. And if you have a building larger than 5,000 square feet, you must pay an additional $300 a year. This is on top of the already high 2.5% effective property tax rate on their homes.”

“Of this property tax increase, 100% of the revenue, estimated at $2.2 million the first year, is earmarked for IMRF pensions. This ‘fee’ will increase regularly now that it’s in place.”

“The IMRF pension fund, which gives lavish, gold-plated pension benefits to retired municipal employees, is funded by property taxes. $903 million in property taxes

have been shoveled into this fund to keep it afloat.”

“The IMRF pension fund, like the other government pension funds, is a Pyramid Scheme that cannot be sustained as more and more people leave the Peoria area for lower tax communities. Peoria has already eliminated 22 firefighter positions and 16 police positions.”

“Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis recently stated that over 95% of all property taxes are poured into the city’s local pension funds.”

· Click Here to see the top 200 Peoria area TRS pensions

· Click Here to see the top 200 Peoria area municipal, and Peoria County IMRF pensions

· Click Here to see the top Illinois Central College SURS pensions

“The entire local and statewide pension system in Illinois is unsustainable. The other five statewide pension funds are funded by the state income tax. Democrat Governor Jay Robert ‘J. B.’ Pritzker and his tax-raising cronies want to stick it to middle class taxpayers by increasing the income tax under the guise of a ‘more fair’ graduated income tax, so they can make it through the next election cycle. When the state goes under, they will be enjoying their retirements in Arizona or Florida.”

“Middle-class Peoria taxpayers would be decimated by the Pritzker income-tax hike if it passes. There is nothing fair about his ‘fair tax’ that will, by design, siphon even more wealth out of the pockets of the middle-class. Pritzker’s tax increases won’t stop there as we’ve seen with the gargantuan gasoline tax increase.”

“When you look at what the individual government retirees are actually collecting in taxpayer funded pensions, you can get a better idea of why this theft of taxpayer wealth is so egregious. Keep in mind that the average taxpayer will collect only about $17,500 a year from Social Security, and that most IMRF pensioners are also eligible for a Social Security pension.”

Francis Hinton retired from Peoria SD 150. His current annual TRS pension is $ 217,419. His estimated lifetime payout is a lucrative $4,809,603.

Kevin W. Lyons retired from Peoria County at the age of 55. His current IMRF pension is $147,760 and will accumulate to about $3,961,654 over a normal lifetime. Kevin is also eligible for a social security pension.

Illinois Central College retiree, Thomas Thomas collects $225,070 in annual pension payments. His payments into SURS total $148,054. He will collect, over a normal lifetime, $4,895,542.

“All Illinois government new hires should be placed in a 401(k) style retirement savings account, beginning immediately, and the retirement age should be increased to 65. These measures would at least stop the bleeding until comprehensive pension reform can be enacted.”

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Rock Island Gov. Pensions Drive Higher Property Taxes

By on September 17, 2019   /   Blog, jim tobin, Latest, Pension Reform  
Rock Island

This story was featured by the Dispatch–Argus, KWQC TV, and WQAD TV. Another story on this release was run 9/19/2019 by WQAD TV.

Rock Island, IL – Taxpayer Education Foundation (TEF) today released its updated study on Rock Island County, Rock Island City, Moline, and East Moline government pensions including the top 200 pensions in the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), and the State University Retirement System (SURS). Taxpayers United of America (TUA) issued the following statement based on the TEF pension study:

“Taxpayers in Rock Island County have been hit with yet another property tax increase. This time additional revenue of 11.9% is needed to keep the IMRF pensions afloat,” said Jim Tobin, president of TUA.

“The IMRF pension fund, which gives lavish, gold-plated pension benefits to retired municipal employees, is funded by property taxes. $903 million in property taxes have been shoveled into this fund to keep it afloat.”

Rock Island County has an effective property tax rate of 2.56%, according to Attom Data Solutions. The national average is 1.17% and the Illinois average is 2.22%.

“Taxpayers in Rock Island County sure aren’t getting their money’s worth. Their effective property tax rate is more than double the national average and even higher than the Illinois state average. The reason it is so high is because goonish politicians spend lavishly on gold plated, retired government employee pensions. Rock Island County taxpayers are paying for government services provided years ago. Sadly, there isn’t enough money left to pay for the services taxpayers need today.”

“The entire local and statewide pension system in Illinois is unsustainable. The other five statewide pension funds are funded by the state income tax. Democrat Governor Jay Robert ‘J. B.’ Pritzker and his tax-raising cronies want to stick it to middle class taxpayers by increasing the income tax under the guise of a ‘more fair’ graduated income tax, so they can make it through the next election cycle. When the state goes under, they will be enjoying their retirements in Arizona or Florida.”

“Middle-class Rock Island taxpayers would be decimated by the Pritzker income-tax hike if it passes. There is nothing fair about his ‘fair tax’ that will, by design, siphon even more wealth out of the pockets of the middle-class. And his tax increases won’t stop there as we’ve seen with Pritzker’s gargantuan gasoline tax-hike.”

“When you look at what individual government retirees are actually collecting in taxpayer funded pensions, you can get a better idea of why this theft of taxpayer wealth is so egregious. Keep in mind that the average taxpayer will collect about $17,500 a year from Social Security and that most IMRF pensioners are also eligible for a Social Security pension.”

Calvin Lee retired from Moline USD40 and currently collects $222,655 a year in taxpayer-funded pension payments. He contributed $390,120 into the TRS to fund his own pension which will total about $7.3 million over a normal lifetime.

Marshall Douglas receives benefits from the IMRF. His current annual pension is $155,673 and will accumulate to $2.5 million over a normal lifetime. He deposited $159,794 into his own pension. Marshall is also eligible for a social security pension.

Black Hawk College retiree, Bettie Truitt, retired at the age of 52 and currently collects $133,568 in pension payments. Taxpayers largely fund her estimated lifetime payout of $7,161,282 as she contributed only $187,423.

“All Illinois government new hires should be placed in a 401(k) style retirement savings account, beginning immediately, and the retirement age should be increased to 65. These measures would at least slow the bleeding until comprehensive pension reform can be enacted.”

Click here to see the top 200 Rock Island, Moline and East Moline TRS pensions
Click here to see the top 200 Rock Island, Moline and East Moline municipal,  and Rock Island County IMRF pensions
Click here to see the top Black Hawk SURS pensions

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