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BATAVIA CITY OFFICIALS USE PUBLIC MONEY TO FIGHT MOVE TO REPEAL HOME RULE TAXING POWERS

By Matthew Schultz on October 11, 2018 / Illinois, Items of Interest, Latest, News Releases, Press

CHICAGO—A Batavia resident supporting repeal of the municipality’s home rule taxing powers has filed a complaint with the Ill. State Board of Elections charging that some city officials used public money to attempt to persuade voters to keep home rule.

State law prohibits the use of public money to advocate political positions.

According to the October 8, 2018 edition of the Daily Herald, resident Carl Dinwiddie asked the state board to order the city to cease and desist its activities.

A four-page flyer sent to Batavia households by the city stated that 19 percent of city revenues (other than utility charges) come from taxes tied to its home-rule authority. The flyer warned that if home rule taxing powers are repealed, “…the city would need to raise real property taxes to continue funding existing services and/or discontinue some existing services.”

“This is fearmongering,” said Jim Tobin, president of Taxpayers United of Illinois (TUA), which is working with Batavians For Responsible Government, which advocates repealing home rule.

Dinwiddie also complained that at a Sept. 17 presentation by Batavians For Responsible Government, some aldermen rudely interrupted the meeting, even after other people asked them to be quiet.

A board spokesman said that complaints about campaign financing must be made using a department form. Once a form is submitted, a hearing officer reviews it, hears from both sides and submits a recommendation to the board. The board would then consider it at a regular monthly meeting.

“PROPERTY TAX RELIEF” BIG LIE GETS NEW LIFE FROM CANDIDATE J. B. PRITZKER

By Matthew Schultz on October 9, 2018 / Blog, Illinois, Items of Interest, Latest, News Releases, Press

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CHICAGO—J. B. Pritzker, the Democrat candidate for Illinois Governor, has resurrected the tired old lie that state tax increases will lead to “property tax relief,” according to Jim Tobin, president of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).

“Jay Robert ‘J. B.’ Pritzker, the corpulent con-man who is a tool of Chicago machine boss Michael J. Madigan, pulled an old lie from the trash heap and is claiming that the two state income tax increases he plans to shove down the throats of Illinois taxpayers will result in property tax relief. It was a lie 85 years ago, and it’s still a lie,” said Tobin.

“In 1933, under the guise of ‘property tax relief,’ a ‘temporary’ state sales tax of 2 percent was established. We all know how temporary tax increases tend to be.”

“In 1969, property tax relief was promised when the personal state income tax was created at 2 ½ percent.”

“And in 1975, the start of the Illinois Lottery was supposed to provide property tax relief. How did that work out?”

“Not only does tax-raiser Pritzker, if elected, plan to increase the flat-rate state income tax, but in two years, he plans to place on the statewide ballot the Income Tax Increase Amendment, which would convert Illinois’ flat-rate income tax to a graduated income tax, which could end up with a top rate even higher than California’s. This would be a huge income tax increase for the middle class.”

“If Pritzker becomes governor, this would be the tipping point for Illinois. Illinois is virtually bankrupt now, and a graduated state income tax would send Illinois over the edge by forcing even more taxpayers to flee the state. For the fourth year in a row, Illinois has led the country in losing population.”

“This November may be the last chance for Illinois voters to keep the state from going under.”

TAXPAYERS UNITED OF AMERICA FIGHTING HOME RULE TAXING POWERS IN SIX MUNICIPALITIES

By Matthew Schultz on October 3, 2018 / Illinois, Latest, Pension Reform, Press

CHICAGO—Taxpayers United of America (TUA) is working with local taxpayer groups to defeat referenda that would bring Home Rule to the municipalities of Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Prospect Heights, Beach Park and Lemont. In addition, TUA is working with local taxpayer groups to repeal Home Rule in Batavia, IL.

“Home Rule is home ruin,” said Jim Tobin, TUA president. “It is a horrible scheme that places taxpayers at the mercy of local politicians.”

“TUA has helped local taxpayers defeat 426 tax increase referenda since 1977.”

“Under Home Rule, property tax caps do not apply, and politicians can not only raise taxes without limit, but they can create new taxes with which to clobber taxpayers. It is about as evil as any political process can get.”

“Our staff will visit these municipalities and pass out flyers urging taxpayers to vote No on establishing Home Rule, and Yes on getting rid of this plague where it already exists on November 6.”

Check out our Home Rule Flyers below.

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