Skillicorn Files First Bills, Both Focused on Real Estate Taxes

A press release from State Rep.-Elect Allen Skillicorn:

Property Tax Deadline Inspires First Bills From Representative-Elect Allen Skillicorn

Friday December 23rd, the day before Christmas Eve is the last day homeowners in Algonquin Township (parts of Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Cary, Barrington Hills, and Fox River Grove) have to appeal their property tax assessments.

McHenry County and Algonquin Township have some of the highest property taxes in nation.

State Representative-Elect Allen Skillicorn won’t be sworn in until January, but Skillicorn has already filed his first two bills this week to address out of control property taxes and allow homeowners more time to appeal them.

Allen Skillicorn’s first bill will require municipalities to have a public hearing when raising property tax rates.

Currently Illinois’ tax cap law has a loop hole that only requires municipalities to have a “Truth in Taxation” hearing if the levy is increased by more than 5%, but no hearing is required if they increase the tax rate.

Allen Skillicorn

Allen Skillicorn

“Illinois’ tax cap law has too many loopholes. One that hits homeowners in McHenry and Kane Counties the hardest is when the tax rate goes up when our home values stagnate.

“It was wrong when our home values plummeted in 2009-2012, but our property taxes keep going up.” Skillicorn continued,

“Even today, we have not seen huge increases in home values, but our property tax bills consistently go higher every year.

“I’ve always advocated for doing more with less.

“Let’s provide high quality services at the lowest cost.

“The residents deserve to hear how these property tax hikes will affect their bottom line before politicians vote to hike taxes.”

Skillicorn’s 2nd bill filed extends the property tax assessment appeal deadline another 30 days, to a full 60 days.

This allows homeowners, who are usually filing appeals without the help of professional attorneys, more time to get a fair value of their homes.

“Property taxes are too high and Algonquin Township residents are required to file appeals one day before Christmas Eve.

“That’s wrong, homeowners cannot afford to pay a professional to file on their behalf like a big corporation would.

“The holiday season is already busy enough.

“Local officials should not take advantage of the Holiday and slip the deadline in just before Christmas.

“I hope to change this type of practice by giving homeowners more time to complete their appeal paperwork.”

Instructions and links to help Algonquin Township residents file an appeal before the December 23rd deadline are located at http://www.allenskillicorn.com/4866/algonquindeadline/


Comments

Skillicorn Files First Bills, Both Focused on Real Estate Taxes — 13 Comments

  1. A bill can be filed in the Illinois General Assembly before the winning candidate takes the oath of office?

  2. Good question Mark.

    Until this state starts to elect more honest conservatives, Representatives can ‘file’ bills to their heart’s content – very few pass the muster of Mr. Madigan.

    To date in the current House Legislative body, SIX THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED, THIRTY Bills have been filed.

    That is just the House Bills.

    In addition we have the Senate which has 3,458 bills filed to date.

    Add to that the hundreds of resolutions and other frivolous legislative actions!

    Talk about out of control government!!

    Franks was real good at getting headlines in the NWH for filing bills which never saw the light of day but the voters fell for it and gave him what he wanted.

    Filing a bill means absolutely NOTHING.

    Getting bills to become Public Acts which actually lower the cost of government is meaningful!

  3. Dave McSweeny represents Alg Twh not Allen, at least that was who was on my ballot.

    While I appreciate Allen’s effort, where is Dave who is already a sworn in Rep?

    Allen, why not pickup on the three referendums that Paul and Andrew initiated that passed with over 91% of the vote?

  4. Re: “a public hearing when raising property tax rates”

    There is already such a requirement relative to the plethora of ‘Black Box’ ads.

    Guess what?

    NOBODY SHOWS UP!!

    I predict no one will show up even if Allen’s bill becomes law.

    Until we get more active residents like Paul Serwatka, Susan Handelsman, Steve Wilson and a few others to step forward and round up more people to attend government body meetings, nothing will change.

    What we really need is to have everyone who posts on this blog to step forward and run for office for at least one or two terms!!

    By participating in this blog they at least are somewhat familiar with the issues – the average voter is NOT!

    Average voters are either too busy working to support those who benefit from the hundreds of social welfare programs or they are the recipients of those programs and want them to grow!!

    Sit in the office of any Congressman or State Legislature for one day.

    You will see many people who represent or are beneficiaries of social welfare programs but rarely will you see anyone who represents taxpayers or is a taxpayer who funds those programs.

  5. The ‘all knowing Nob’: “Dave McSweeny represents Alg Twh not Allen, at least that was who was on my ballot.”

    Huh? You may want to take a look at the Legislative districts drawn up by the Dems.

    In other words, Mike Tryon did not represent anyone in McHenry County?

  6. Thanks Kelly for the map, maybe I’ll email Dave again.

    Questioning keep going out of your way to be an …., it fits you so well.

  7. The Nob: Thank you!

    I think so too.

    “it fits you so well.”

  8. Illinois General Assembly

    Illinois Compiled Statutes

    Legislature

    25 ILCS 25 – Pre-Filing of Bills Act

    http://ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/ilcs3.asp?ActID=435&ChapterID=6

    ++++++++++++

    Status update on the 99th General Assembly:

    The House and Senate adjourned from the fall veto session on Thursday December 1, 2016 (they went home).

    The fall veto session began November 15, 2016.

    ++++++++++++

    The stopgap budget expires January 1, 2017.

    The Speaker of the House (Michael Madigan) or Senate President (John Cullerton) can call members of their chamber back in session.

    ++++++++++++

    The 100th General Assembly begins at noon on January 11, 2017.

    The newly elected members of the House and Senate take the oath of office at that time.

    As a result of the November 8, 2016 election, as of noon on January 11, 2017, the Democrats will no longer have a super-majority in the State House.

    ++++++++

    How the November 8, 2016 election changed the party make-up of the General Assembly:

    General Assembly – Chamber – Democrats – Republicans – % Democrat – super-majority?

    100th – House – 67 – 51 – 57% – no

    99th – House – 71 – 47 – 60% – yes (Democrats)

    100th – Senate – 37 – 22 – 63% – yes (Democrats)

    99th – Senate – 39 – 20 – 66% – yes (Democrats)

    – super-majority is required to over-ride a Governor veto.

    +++++++++

    Although gaining members in the Illinois General Assembly, as a result of the November 8, 2016 election, the Republicans lost an elected State Constitutional Officer, the Comptroller, when Susana Mendoza defeated Leslie Munger.

    Susana Mendoza takes her oath of office on December 5, 2016.

    As of that date, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will be the only Republican elected state constitutional officers.

    Governor – Republican Bruce Rauner

    Lieutenant Governor – Republican Evelyn Sanguinetti

    Attorney General – Democrat Lisa Madigan

    Secretary of State – Democrat Jesse White

    Comptroller – Democrat Susana Mendoza

    Treasurer – Democrat Mike Frerichs

    The State Superintendent of Education, currently Tony Smith, is appointed by the “board” of the Illinois State Board of Education.

    The ISBE board consists of 9 members appointed by the Governor to a four year term (maximum two terms).

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