Illinois’ largest taxpayer organization is working with taxpayers in four Illinois municipalities to defeat Home Rule referenda on February 2, 2010, according to Jim Tobin, president of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI).
Download a Vote No flyer for Hometown | Ina | Midlothian | Sammons Point
“Home Rule referenda will appear on the ballot in the February 2nd, 2010 primary election in four municipalities across Illinois: Hometown, Midlothian, Ina, and Sammons Point. If passed, Home Rule will allow municipalities in these communities to raise property taxes—and any other taxes—without voter approval,” said Tobin. “Home Rule legislation would also exempt these areas from the 5% property tax cap currently in place in Illinois and leave taxpayers vulnerable to the implementation of new taxes and fees.”
“The only reason politicians want Home Rule power is so they can raise taxes without a vote,” said Tobin. “Let me put it bluntly: If Home Rule is established, politicians will raise local property taxes, sales taxes, gasoline taxes and any other taxes and fees they can think of.”
“Tax-hungry politicians and government employees are trying to pass these referenda during the primary when voter turnout is expected to be low. If only 10% of the people in each municipality vote, government employees can pass these measures all by themselves.”
“NTUI is dedicated to defeating these referenda by raising awareness of the dangers of Home Rule,” said Tobin. “Our organization has developed a flyer for distribution in the affected towns to educate citizens of the consequences of adopting this measure. Flyers have been sent to our members in these towns and are also available for download on our website, www.NTUI.org.”
Download a print copy of this news release
NTUI Working With Taxpayers to Defeat Four Home Rule Referenda
ADDRESS
Chicago, IL 60606
205 W. Randolph Street, Suite 1305
Phone: (312) 427-5128
Fax: (312) 427-5139
Phone: (312) 427-5128
Fax: (312) 427-5139
Website: https://www.taxpayersunitedofamerica.org
Email: info@taxpayersunited.org
Email: info@taxpayersunited.org
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Update:
Home Rule referenda were defeated February 2nd in Hometown, Ina and Sammons Point, while residents of Midlothian voted to approve Home Rule.
According to the Southtown Star on Februrary 4th, Midlothian officials are already considering a gas tax and discussing a village sales tax. No surprise.
With regard to this news release, an NTUI member recently asked, “Am I understanding this correctly that the Illinois Constitution requires a vote before raising taxes but, if a township or taxing body gets home rule approved, then they can do whatever they want?”
President Jim Tobin responded:
You are correct.
A non-home rule municipality or county can raise property taxes without referendum up to state imposed limits. A local property tax increase referendum is required to exceed the limits. I believe they still cannot impose any other local taxes without a local tax increase referendum.
Home rule municipalities or counties can tax anything without a tax increase referendum.
Municipalities with a population of 25,000 and counties with a population of 1,000,000 get unlimited home rule taxing powers without a local tax increase referendum. Smaller municipalities and counties must go to referendum to obtain home rule. All county referendums for home rule have been defeated, leaving Crook County as the only county with unlimited home rule taxing powers.
Fortunately, government schools cannot get home rule.
Home rule is home ruin.