DeKalb Times

Comments in opposition to a property tax freeze by a spokesman for Illinois townships were less about opposing such freezes and more about education, Village of Poplar Grove Trustee Neeley Erickson said recently. 

"I understand that property taxes are an enormous burden on home and business owners," Erickson told the DeKalb Times. "I support Township government efforts to educate their constituency on how a property tax freeze will affect the sustainability of programs and services offered to residents."

This doesn't mean Erickson sees no problem with the multiplicity in Illinois's units of local government - at about 7,000, more per capita than any other state in the U.S. 

Village of Poplar Grove Trustee Neeley Erickson

"Fiscally irresponsible local governments have created redundant offices with salaries and pensions that are unnecessary and burdensome to taxpayers," Erickson said. "Therefore, I support voters’ rights via a referendum to dissolve a unit of local government."

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Springfield need to have the long-game in mind when approaching a property tax freeze, Erickson said. 

"A property tax freeze is a quick fix that provides short-term relief," she said. "The Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Taskforce produced a thorough document that deserves more consideration by the General Assembly to help property taxpayers achieve real and long-lasting property tax relief."  

An amendment that would have allowed for a two-year property tax freeze in Illinois counties was recently defeated in the Illinois General Assembly. Amendment 1 of Senate Bill 851, added to the existing bill Oct. 26 by Illinois State House Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg), would have implemented a two-year property tax freeze for Cook and some collar counties while the rest of the state would be left to freeze property taxes via voter referendum. 

"This would mean for those townships/road districts in those counties, this year and next year your extension limitation would be zero percent unless voters approve an increase," Bryan E. Smith, executive director of Township Officials of Illinois, said in an urgent legislative alert to townships across the state. "In all other counties outside of Cook and the Collar Counties, the amendment, if passed, would allow a county board to place a referendum on the ballot in 2018 to have a property tax freeze for all local governments within that county for 2018 and 2019; or whether to have all local governments within the county subject to a property tax freeze for 2018 and 2019 AND then subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) for levy year 2020 and thereafter."

SB 851 passed out of the House Revenue & Finance Committee on Nov. 2 with a recommendation it be adopted. On Nov. 8, Amendment 1 as withdrawn by Rep. Mussman and, after a short debate, SB 851 passed the House and now is on calendar order of concurrence House amendment.

Voters should take note of any change in their property taxes, Erickson said. 

"Property taxes are an expense and voters need to take a more active role in becoming educated on how taxing bodies are spending their money in order to advocate for reforms," she said.

Meanwhile, the effect Township Governments' opposition to property tax freeze on local economies remains murky, Erickson said. 

"It's too early to tell," she said. "However, tax consistency plays a large role in a local economy's success.The longer it takes for local governments to reign in spending and state legislators to provide mandate relief it will be an uphill battle to attract businesses and retain talented residents."