Principle Over Party

State Sen. Chris Lauzen will be holding a property tax forum Monday, May 12 from 7 - 8:30 pm at the Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville. (Hat tip: Daily Herald) [Emphasis mine]

As property tax bills begin to appear in mailboxes throughout Kane and Kendall counties, state Sen. Chris Lauzen, an Aurora Republican, wants to help area residents understand their bills and provide information on a variety of cost-saving measures.

The best cost savings will be to lower property taxes instead of the annual unending increases.

Lauzen has partnered with the supervisors of assessments and treasurers from both counties to help answer questions on local residents’ property tax bills and to help explain where their tax dollars are distributed.

The largest percentage goes to the local school districts who spend the money on the following instead of the education of the children: (This is not an all inclusive list)

• Pay raises higher than those the taxpayers
• Outrageous end of career bonuses
• Retirement at age 55
• Overtaxing after referendums
• Use of bonds schemes to fleece the taxpayer more
• No bid contracts

Information also will be provided on a number of new homestead exemptions that have recently passed the General Assembly.

Sorry, Mr. Lauzen, but these new exemptions help only a minority of taxpayers, particularly Seniors and Veterans. Even for them, it will only slow the growth of their tax bills. If you wish, please e-mail Mr. Lauzen and ask him for real property tax reform instead of these meetings and feel good sessions.