McHenry County Blog

It has taken a long time for the Reverend and State Senator James Meeks to gain the courage to tell the truth about Chicago schools and point out paths to improving student performance.

Knowing the influence of Chicago school teachers, many of whom are undoubtedly in his mega-church (Salem Baptist Church), his coming out in favor of vouchers, which would give parents the power to select the school of their choice, is truly a bold move on Meeks’ part.

Read his words in a Chicago Tribune op-ed piece yesterday:

“For the first time in my personal and political career, I am exploring the idea of vouchers and charter schools to help facilitate choice and enhance academic performance.

“Why should we continue to make investments in a system that is bankrupt and weighed down with bureaucracy?

“We must begin making decisions that are in the best interest of children, such as mandatory teacher evaluations. Since the will to change the system is nonexistent, we should allow students the flexibility to attend schools outside their district. What once worked before, such as the local school councils, may have run its course in today’s competitive environment.

“They say the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. We can no longer afford to have the blood of every child on our hands.”

I don’t know if Meeks will expend as much energy on trying to provide parents the tools to extract a decent education from Chicago (and, maybe even private) schools, but he deserves an “attaboy!” for opening his eyes.

It won’t rank with the opening of Paul’s eyes after he was struck blind on the road to Damascus, but it is the type of leadership that resulted in the Cook County Board’s banning of video slot machines in unincorporated areas.

Would I be being picky if I pointed out that the Heartland Institute has been advocating the logic of vouchers for well over a decade?

Seeing the above editorial in the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday was the first I knew that there was a movement to ban video slot machines in unincorporated Cook County.

The editorial pointed out,

“The Chicago Outfit is on record as embracing the idea.  It isn’t every day you hear what the head of the Chicago mob thinks about a public policy change…in 2003, Outfit leader James Marcello was secretly recorded by the FBI as saying he was all for legalizing video poker.  The Outfit, long tied into video gaming, can’t wait for the windfall.

That is precisely the issue that is being considered by the McHenry County Board next Wednesday night at the Administrative Center north of the county jail. (The meeting starts at 6, but, if you come later, you still be able to testify.)  Besides banning the machines, the county board could put an advisory question on the subject on the ballot, as was suggested by McHenry County Board member Bob Bless.

Watching the news, I saw the Rev. and State Senator James Meeks (D-Chicago) leading the fight against this expansion of gambling in Illinois.  I wonder if any righteous preachers will show up in Woodstock.

Opponents to what is euphemistically called “video poker” won 11-1 in committee yesterday.

Besides Meeks, the Better Government Association’s Executive Director, Andy Shaw, appeared, describing video gambling as “the crack cocaine of gaming.” Police spokesman were in opposition as well.

How many bars and restaurants would be affected if the Cook County Board goes along with its committee’s recommendation?

Fifty-three.

That’s about the same number that would be banned, if the McHenry County Board followed in Cook County’s footsteps.

Apparently I missed some tension while having dinner at the Crystal Lake Country Club.

I admit to raising the body temperatures of some club members by asking if they were ready to pay a 6.25% state sales tax on their membership fees.

I didn’t get to watch the Illinois House defeat Governor Pat Quinn’s 50% income tax increase.

Now the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting,

Reporter Dave McKinney and Jordan Wilson wrote that the bill failed 42-74.

Republicans voted against the bill. 25 Democrats did, too.

The article does not point out that the state income tax would have risen 50% under the legislation.

If a 50% income tax increase can’t pass, it is unlikely Senate President John Cullerton’s and Senator James Meeks’ 67% income tax hike probably won’t pass either. The article says only 35 indicated support for the larger tax hike.

Is the next move “pass my budget or else,” Governor Quinn’s so-called “Doomsday Budget“?

It seems to me that House Democrats have decided to try to force Republicans to vote for whatever tax increase they eventually want to pass.

But, since the Dems have a veto-proof majority in both houses, every Republican who votes for such a tax hike will let a Democrat off the hook come election time. I hope there are any such weak sisters.

Yesterday I wrote more stories about Springfield than I ever have before in one day.

I covered Mike Tryon’s campaign sign bill, Jack Franks’ recall constitutional amendment and the John Cullerton/James Meeks’ 67% income tax hike/ services sales tax imposition and Terry Link/Dave Syverson four casino bill.

But before all the action, I picked up on State Rep. Art Turner’s comment on the incomplete “COURAGE” being displayed by House Democrats.

I entitled it

After an extended part caucus in which a reported 39 of the needed votes seemed to have identified themselves, according to the Chicago Tribune, Turner said,

“We’re looking for courage. We’re close. We’ve got it spelled C-O-U-R, but we’re looking for the rest of it.”

I observed that the last four letters of “COURAGE” are

Meanwhile in the Illinois Senate, the article says,

“…an even bigger tax plan emerged, courtesy of Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago).

“The proposal — which could raise upward of $6 billion — would increase the income tax by 67 percent and expand the sales tax on services such as dry cleaning, video rental, dating services and carpet cleaning. The theory is that a larger tax bite would mean fewer cuts.”

I ended the article with

And that admonishment was before the State Senate voted to raise income taxes by 67% and taxed every electronic signal coming into our home except radio.

So, Turner has half of his wish.

Senate Democrats provided all the letters to his word “COURAGE” and now House has two income tax choices:

But the RAGE may have to wait for readers of two of the four newspapers I read.

Look at the front pages of the Sunday editions of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Elgin Courier-News and McHenry County’s Northwest Herald.

Nothing about the pending tax hike above the fold on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. But there was room to hype a “summer fun” guide.

There’s a story about state politics on the Tribune’s front page, but it’s about politicians trying to get kids into the University of Illinois, not about politicians trying to pick our pockets.

Nothing about the tax hike below the fold either.

The Chicago Sun-Times did figure out that the tax hike story was important enough to mention on its front page, though. Kudos to the Sun-Times

In the Elgin Courier-News there is a large word that might be appropriate if applied to taxpayers:

But i’t about abandoned homes.

There is an ad for Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino on the bottom of the page. Guess the paper has learned who is paying its bills.

But there is nothing in the paper about the 67% income tax hike passed in the Senate.

And, finally, the Northwest Herald’s front page:

Nothing above the fold, but the Associated Press story is found below.

So, the score card is 2 for 4.

Readers of the largest circulation newspaper in Illinois won’t know anything about the tax hike, if that is there only source of news today.

They will be in for a big surprise tomorrow, if either bill passes.

If you want to call your legislator, the state switchboard in Springfield is open. The number is 217-782-2000.

A 50% income tax hike was not high enough. Slot machines in every convenience store and tavern wouldn’t tempt enough people.

Senate Democrats caved into the Rev. and Senator James Meeks’ goal and voted 31-27-1 to raise income tax rates 67%, plus putting sales taxes on 39 services, including internet service providers, cable television, photocopying, private clubs, dating services, oil exchange and goodness knows what else, except sponsor Senator John Cullerton told the Senate that barbers had been left alone.

I guess they talk so much they are dangerous.

Speaking against the bill were

• Lake Barrington’s Dan Duffy
• DuPage County’s Kirk Dillard
• LaSalle’s County’s Gary Dahl
• Okawville ’s David Luechtefeld
• Dixon’s Tim Bivens
• Bloomington’s Bill Brady
• Chenoa’s Dan Rutherford
• Palatine’s Matt Murphy

Silent was Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno.

By far the most effective was Matt Murphy.

He is in the Ronald Reagan of disagreeing without being disagreeable.

His best line was,

“To me this is a prescription to win the race with Michigan to the economic bottom of this nation.”

Murphy began by asking that people disagree agreeably, that they not take the debate personally.

Next he moved onto the fact that Illinois is “one of 7 states with fewer jobs than we had ten years ago.

“That means $4,000 in lost taxes for every job we don’t have.

“The people in this state are leaving. They are assessing the value of the American Dream and are sadly finding it someplace else.

He said the proposal was “the highest tax increase in Illinois history.

Then, he compared Illinois with Michigan.

Murphy warned Democrats that the promise of property tax relief held out by Senator Meeks and others in promoting Senate Bill 750 would backfire, just as the lottery did.

People heard Zeke Giorgi tell them that the lottery would solve the problem of funding education and were surprised when it did not. (In fact, the lottery was passed to fund the Regional Transportation Authority in 1974, which Murphy apparently did not know or his point would have stronger. The lottery was not earmarked for education until the mic-1980’s when the next generation of legislators got tried of complaints that it wasn’t going to education.)

Murphy was referring to the so-called “tax swap” part of the bill.

People will think,

“My property tax bill is finally going down.

“It’s not.

“It’s going up.”

Had Murphy (or anyone else) a longer perspective, they might have pointed out that (and I’m virtually certain I am correct here) have pointed out that the property tax credit used to be 10%, but was cut back to 5% in order to use the money for something else in the budget.

“Be careful. Be careful,” he said.

He again assuaged the feelings of the bill’s supporters.

“I appreciate the Senate, the intentions of the (supporters of the bill).

“If you look at Governor Quinn’s budget, it balances.”

“You can come up with cuts (to balance the budget).

“I did my homework. I didn’t share it, Mr. President. I didn’t share it,” referring to Senate President John Cullerton’s chiding of Republicans for not coming up with suggested cuts.

“You can make the cuts.

“You don’t have to raise taxes.

“To fund the pension, you may have to short term borrow.

Referring to the bill, Murphy concluded by saying,

“This is a dagger hanging over the head of everyone in Illinois.”

There were so many other good arguments by Republican senators.

But it’s late and I’m tired. Maybe I’ll find time to give some of the other speeches justice tomorrow.

If the House doesn’t decide to follow the Senate Democrats’ lead and try to mortally wound Illinois.

I do want to tell you that Murphy’s demeanor and presentation impressed me the most.

Is he running for governor?

Oh, yes.

With Rockford Republican Dave Syverson leading the way for the GOP, Lake County’s Terry Link managed to pass his bill to put casinos in Waukegan, Rockford, Danville and Chicago. The vote was 30-28-0. It failed the first time up.

State Senator Brad Burzynski (R-Rochelle), who represents part of the Rockford area, verified the vote, that is, made sure the 30 votes necessary to pass a bill in the Senate really were on the floor.

The Senate lists the bill being debated on its web site as it broadcasts debates. Senate Bill 174 was the 67% income tax hike and service sales tax imposition bill. Senate Bill 744 was the casino bill. Murphy has a photo with the casino bill’s number under his name because he spoke against that bill.

State Rep. Art Turner (D-Chicago) came up with a perhaps too revealing summary of Democrat attempts to raise income taxes 50%.

After an extended part caucus in which a reported 39 of the needed votes seemed to have identified themselves, according to the Chicago Tribune, the Madigan assistant said,

“We’re looking for courage. We’re close. We’ve got it spelled C-O-U-R, but we’re looking for the rest of it.”

I would observe that the last four letters of “COURAGE” is

Meanwhile in the Illinois Senate, the article says,

“…an even bigger tax plan emerged, courtesy of Sen. James Meeks(D-Chicago).

“The proposal — which could raise upward of $6 billion — would increase the income tax by 67 percent and expand the sales tax on services such as dry cleaning, video rental, dating services and carpet cleaning. The theory is that a larger tax bite would mean fewer cuts.”

Have an anxious weekend, taxpayers.

The main switchboard in Springfield is 217-782-2000. It’s open on the weekend.

Senior Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and his Illinois Supreme Court Justice wife Anne own a big house in Chicago.

Chicago Tribune reporter Tim Novak wrote Monday about the approval of zoning breaks that were necessary for it to be built next to the development in which it stands. Burke is an investor in the development.

What caught my attention in the article was Burke’s real estate tax bill on the family home:

The home is supposed to be worth $900,000. If so, that means the Burkes will pay less than 1% of the value of their home in real estate taxes this year.

Contrast that to the

the Skinner family will pay on our McHenry County home.

Our assessing officials estimate that 275 Meridian Street in Lakewood is worth about $400,000.

So, we are paying 2.2% of the value of our home in property taxes this year, while the Burkes are paying 0.95% of their home’s value.

Therein lies the dirty little secret about real estate taxes in Illinois.

Burke’s bill is probably a bit lower than it should be, but, generally, homeowners and owners of small apartments in Chicago pay about 1% of the values of their properties in real estate taxes.

Suburban Cook County residents may be a bit more, but the vast, vast majority don’t come close to a 2% level those of us outside of Cook County pay.

So, hike our income taxes 50% and we all suffer equally.

Give property tax relief and non-Cook County residents need to get twice as high a Homestead Exemption, for example, as those in Cook County to come out with the same tax relief.

If some version of the Rev. and State Senator James Meeks’ SB 750 pops up this week, I hope suburban and Downstate legislators are skillful enough to protect their already overtaxed constituents.

Maybe Sun-Times reporter Tim Novak will compare the real estate tax bills and the value of the homes of Chicago and other Cook County politicians with those of politicians outside of Cook County.

That would be a revealing story, don’t you think?

It’s Senate Bill 1550, introduced a little over a month ago with State Senator Brad Burzynski as the other and lead sponsor.

Here are the details:

Synopsis As Introduced

Creates the Local Option School District Income Tax Act and amends the School Code, the State Finance Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, and the Property Tax Code. Authorizes school districts by referendum to impose an income tax on individuals resident of the district.

Provides that the income tax must be levied at a rate that will produce an amount equal to the corresponding 50% reduction in property taxes for educational, operations and maintenance, and transportation purposes.

Provides for a referendum repeal of the tax.

Sets forth procedures for levying and collecting the tax and for deposit of the income tax revenues. Provides for disbursement of the tax to school districts by the State Treasurer.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law to exclude from the definition of “aggregate extension” school district levies made to cover amounts lost because of the repeal of the local income tax for schools as formerly imposed by the district under the Local Option School District Income Tax Act.

Amends the State aid formula provisions of the School Code. Provides that the adoption or failure to adopt a local income tax for schools and any disbursement of funds or any tax abatement required under the Local Option School District Income Tax Act shall not affect the computation or distribution of State aid for school districts.

Effective immediately.

Here is the ballot question, a really long one:

“Shall School District No. …. be authorized to impose a local income tax for schools at an initial annual rate of approximately …% on the taxable income earned or received by individuals who are residents of the school district, if the actual initial rate at which the tax is imposed is adjusted every 12 months thereafter, and if the actual initial rate and the rate as adjusted and imposed for each succeeding 12 month period are computed by the Department of Revenue in such manner as to produce aggregate income tax revenues for distribution to the school district in each calendar year that are equal, as near as may be, to a 50% reduction that would then have to be made in each such calendar year in the extension against residential property of real property taxes levied by the district during the preceding calendar year for the educational, operations and maintenance, and transportation purposes of the district?”

It’s sitting in the Senate Revenue Committee Subcommittee on Property Taxes.

That’s where it will remain, because if this bill ever got on the books the Ralph Martires and James Meeks of the world could not deceive the liberals in District 300, 158 and elsewhere that raising state income taxes would be a good deal for local property taxpayers.

That’s because, clearly, this would be a better deal. None of our income tax money would disappear to places unknown.

As the referendum question indicates, only individuals would be taxes and only residential real estate owners would have their taxes cut. Businesses cannot be cut in because there is no way to know how much income is earned at a given location of a multi-location enterprise.

This bill, strangely similar to one I introduced way back in the 1970’s when a State Representative Jim Edgar introduced a local option income tax, half of the proceeds of which would be new money with the other half going to cut property taxes, meets the argument of those who say an income tax is fairer than the real estate tax.

At the same time, it does not suck money out of McHenry County like a vacuum cleaner and dump the proceeds in Chicago, where the tax on a $300,000 home is about $1,000 or 1% of market value. (Our tax bills are closer to 2% of what a home could be sold for…at least before home values plummeted.)

I figure there would be a really vigorous debate if such a question ever got on a local ballot.

One of the states mega-taxeating advocates State Senator and Rev. James Meeks thinks a 50% income tax is not high enough.

That’s what Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown reported yesterday.

How does Brown feel?

Here’s the end of his column:

“…I support his overall goal. If we’re going to raise the income tax, this is the time to deal with education funding, too.

“There are more legislators than you might expect who are willing to raise taxes, even in this economy, but if they’re going to take the political hit, they’re only going to do it once, and they’re going to want to have something more to show for it than getting the state’s bills paid more quickly.”

I see “Cardinal Mundeline” commenting on Dan Johnson-Weinberger’s Illinoize post entitled,

“Our common purpose: Meeks, black students and New Trier education“

suggests this action by the Chicago Catholic Schools:

“Maybe the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago should close down for the 1st week of school and enroll all their students in the Chicago Public School System and see how much money they save the taxpayers.

“The Private schools save tax money and stop overcrowding. They also provide a good quality education for less money than the per pupil amount at New Trier.”

I don’t know about Cardinal George, but when I made that suggestion Rockford’s Bishop Thomas Doran while visiting him with the Heartland Institute’s Joe Bast, I didn’t get the answer that would have put pressure on state legislators to subsidize private schools.

While watching Channel 5’s coverage of the story, there was an interview of a high school student. Wise beyond his years, he suggested that the money should be allocated to each child.

I think his words were, “The money should follow the child.”

That sounds so very much like what Bast and I were promoting in Rockford in the 1990’s.