McHenry County Blog

A press release from Jim Tobin:

TAXPAYERS TRY TO STOP LISA MADIGAN’S “HIGHWAY ROBBERY”

CHICAGO–Plaintiffs against the Ill. State Toll Highway Authority filed an amended complaint today in Cook County Circuit Court. Plaintiffs consist of James L. Tobin, Christina Marie Tobin, Kenneth Malo, John Guild, Rae Ann McNeilly, Paul Cassidy, Glenn Westphal and Carol Westphal.

Plaintiffs are seeking a Declaratory Judgment, injunctive relief, and redress for the violation of their civil rights by the defendants pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983, et seq. The Authority raised cash tolls by approximately 90% as of January 1.

Representing the Authority is the office of Ill. Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan (D), daughter of Chicago machine boss and Ill. House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D).

“What Lisa Madigan is getting away with is nothing less than highway robbery,” said plaintiff James Tobin.

The amended complaint included the following points:

• The Commission was created by an act of the Illinois General Assembly as an instrumentality and administrative agency of the State of Illinois in 1953. On October 25, 1955, the Tollway Commission adopted a resolution authorizing a single series of bonds aggregating $415,000,000 to finance the construction of what it described as “The Northern Illinois Toll Highway,” which was to consist of three separate routes.
• In its first full year of operation the annual toll revenues collected amounted to $14,536,000. Since 2000, the Tollway has collected nearly $9 Billion ($8,621,360,000) in toll revenues from the users of its toll highways. The majority of that amount was collected from the three routes where the revenue bonds were already paid.
• 

  Jim Tobin

  The Tollway has indicated it now has some 13 series of outstanding bonds, with an aggregate total of over $4 Billion ($4,066,675,000) and with at least one series of those bonds not maturing until January 1, 2034. It continues to issue bonds without giving due consideration to the intent of the legislature that the Tollway should dissolve when the original bonds were repaid.

“Rather than paying off the tollway bonds and disbanding, the overpaid administrators keep issuing new bonds, so that the bonds of the authority never get paid off as the Ill. Legislature intended,” said Tobin. “This way the bureaucrats, tollway employees and politically-connected contractors rake in the dough year after year.”

A press release from State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay:

McConnaughay receives endorsement from conservative tax watchdog group

Tax Accountability opposes further increases in state income tax rates

St. Charles, IL—State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay (R-33) today received the endorsement of Tax Accountability, a statewide advocacy organization that promotes conservative fiscal policies to deal with the state’s deteriorating financial condition.

McConnaughay, chairman of the KaneCounty Board, has signed Tax Accountability’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge to oppose efforts to increase state taxes.

McConnaughay believes that the state’s budget crisis will only be solved by reductions in spending coupled with increased revenues resulting from economic growth, not job-killing tax hikes.

“Illinois Democrats passed the largest tax increase in state history and it has not solved anything,” said McConnaughay. “We simply cannot expect this government to do the right thing or the smart thing, only the politically expedient thing,” she said.

“This endorsement is a great honor to me, as it comes in recognition of my pursuit of conservative fiscal policies in Kane County that earned a bond upgrade at a time when the state and federal governments were getting downgraded,” added McConnaughay.

Under McConnaughay, Kane County has reduced its general fund budget in real dollars, increased cash reserves,reduced headcount by 25% and restructured government operations to improve cost effectiveness.

Tax Accountability is the largest taxpayer protection organization in Illinois with over 30,000 members. It is the political arm of Taxpayers United of America.

A press release from State Rep. candidate Dave McSweeney:

McSweeney Receives Tax Accountability Endorsement

Barrington Hills: David McSweeney, candidate for State Representative in the 52nd District, has received the endorsement of the Tax Accountability organization.

Tax Accountability is affiliated with the Taxpayers United of America and has been a taxpayer watch dog in Illinois for 35 years.

“I thank you for signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and opposing any and all efforts to increase taxes’” said Jim Tobin, President of Tax Accountability, in a letter sent to McSweeney.

“In recognition of your exceptional desire to fight taxes and support economic growth, Tax Accountability endorses you for the March 20, 2012 primary,” said Tobin.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Tax Accountability.

“Jim Tobin has fought the good fight for many years and the endorsement of his organization is invaluable. I am opposed to additional taxes and would work to repeal the 67% tax increase recently imposed.

“I am also an advocate for property tax relief and I support a greater role for the voters on these tax issues through referendum,” said McSweeney.

A press release from Jim Tobin, President of United Taxpayers of America:

SPIT ON THE LAW

CHICAGO–Taxpayers United of America (TUA) President Jim Tobin called Tuesday’s hearing of his lawsuit against the Illinois Tollway Authority a “spectacle,” and labeled Judge Rita Novak’s decision yesterday rejecting an attempt to block the 90% percent tollway tax hike scheduled to go into effect Jan.1 a “callous, politically-driven decision.”

“Novak essentially gave tollway customers, as well as the law, no consideration,” said Tobin.

Novak dismissed a lawsuit challenging the tollway’s authority to raise tolls.

“The hearing was a spectacle,” said Tobin. “Tollway users were represented by noted attorney Andrew Spiegel, and State Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) must have been worried, because she had six — that’s right — six of her taxpayer paid staff there to represent the Tollway Authority.”

Attorney General Lisa Madigan is the daughter of powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-22, Chicago).

“This is a blatant case of capitalist cronyism,” said Tobin.

“Overpaid tollway bureaucrats collect $100,000-plus salaries each year from tolls. When they retire, they continue to suck dollars from the floundering State retirement system. Michael Madigan’s House Democrats voted for the huge 67% state income tax increase this year, all of which is going into the State retirement system that is making many retired government employees rich.”

“The government in Springfield needs a thorough housecleaning.

“Voters should throw all Springfield incumbents from office, and then pay particular attention to the officeholders who play along or encourage this kind of corruption.”

Tobin plans to appeal Novak’s ruling on February 7, 2012.

A press release from Jim Tobin’s Taxpayers United of America:

No thanks, Lisa!
A Madigan Christmas gift: 90% Toll-Tax Increase on January 1st!!!

December 20, 2011: Judge Rita Novak, of the Cook County Circuit Court, granted Lisa Madigan’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit that would have stopped the January 1st toll/tax increase.

The suit, brought by Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America, (“TUA”), also sought Court declarations that the Tollway Authority is required by law to convert all toll highways to freeways, and to dissolve itself. Lisa Madigan had those parts of the lawsuit also dismissed.

Many have called the TUA offices to join the class action against the Tollway.

“Everyone knows, except Lisa Madigan, that we were supposed to be toll free in 1973,” Jim Tobin said.

Madigan’s “gift” comes on top of the news that the typical American family will have spent $4,155 filling up the car this year, which is a record.

Madigan’s “gift” also comes at a time when unemployment in Illinois is 10%. Just how hard the 90% toll tax increase will hit struggling Illinois families and businesses, remains to be seen.

The plaintiffs were given permission to file an amended complaint within 28 days. Alternatively, they could appeal within 30 days. The next court date, to advise the Judge which route the plaintiffs have chosen, is set for February 7, 2012 at 10:00a.m. in Room 2402 of the Richard J. Daley Center.

See you in court on February 7th!

A press release from Jim Tobin’s Taxpayers United of America:

COURT TO RULE ON GIANT TOLL TAX INCREASE DECEMBER 20TH

December 20, 2011: Judge Rita Novak, of the Cook County Circuit Court, will hear arguments to stop the impending January 1st toll tax increase.

Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America, (“TUA”), has filed suit to:

1. stop the increase
2. order the Tollway Authority to comply with the law that requires it to convert toll highways into freeways and
3. dissolve the Tollway Authority itself.

The suit also challenges the doubling of tolls for cash users, and seeks permission to proceed as a class action on behalf of all tollway users. The December 20th hearing will decide whether the Circuit Court of Cook County will permit the Tollway Authority to virtually double tolls and to convert the Elgin-O’Hare Freeway into a toll highway.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is representing the Tollway. She has asked the court to throw out Tobin’s case in its entirety.

“We are prepared to file an appeal if Madigan convinces the judge to throw out the case,” stated Tobin. “The law is clear and we will continue to fight for millions of taxpayers affected by this blatant disregard for the law.”

The hearing will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Room 2402 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602.

For more information visit TaxpayersUnitedofAmerica.org. For press inquiries, please contact Jim Tobin (773) 354-2076 or (312) 427-5128.

A press release from Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America:

PROPOSED CHICAGO TRAFFIC SPEED CAMERAS TO PROTECT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE PENSIONS, NOT CHILDREN

Chicago–The plan by the City of Chicago to install automated speed cameras in locations covering nearly half the city have nothing to do with protecting school children, but, rather, will be used to protect and bolster the lavish, gold-plated pensions of retired city government employees, according to the president of Taxpayers United of Illinois (TUA).

“On Wednesday, the State Senate approved this expansion of cameras in Chicago by a 32-24 vote, and now the legislation goes to the State House,” said Jim Tobin, TUA President.

“Senate President John Cullerton (D-6, Chicago) helped his Democratic buddy, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D), by pushing this legislation through the Senate, and now Chicago Machine Boss and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-22, Chicago) will attempt to shepherd SB965 through the Illinois House.”

Here is the Senate Votes on SB965:

“This expansion of speed cameras has nothing to do with protecting school children,” said Tobin. “If the purpose were school safety, then the automatic speed cameras would be limited to school speed zones and cover no more than 10 percent of city streets.

“This is a blatant, cynical attempt to pour millions of dollars into city coffers at the expense of Chicago drivers to benefit greedy bureaucrats and city employees.”

Click here to view the Top 100 Chicago Police Pensions.

“I urge Chicago Taxpayers to contact their State Representatives and urge them to vote against SB 965 passed by the Illinois Senate.”

= = = = =
Tobin, you may remember, asserted that the entire reason for the Democrats’ increasing the state income tax by 67% was to pay for state pensions. Since then, I have read similar analyses in mainstream media.

And, of course, you already know that as a retired state representative I received a state pension.

A press release from Taxpayers United of America:

TAXPAYERS UNITED OF AMERICA TO REQUEST RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST ILLINOIS TOLLWAY AUTHORITY

CHICAGO–Attorneys for Taxpayers United of America (TUA) will ask Circuit Court Judge Rita M. Novak for a restraining order against the Ill. Tollway Authority and Electronic Transaction Consultants Corporation, a Texas Corporation, seeking to prevent huge increases in tolls scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

The restraining order is on behalf of Jim Tobin, TUA President, Christina Tobin, TUA Vice President, Rae Ann McNeilly, Director of Outreach for TUA, and two Wisconsin drivers, Glenn Westphal and Carol Westphal. The lawsuit is asking the Court to certify the case as a class action on behalf of all tollway users.

“The Illinois Tollway System was created in 1953, and the Tollway Act requires the tollways to be converted to freeways and the Tollway Authority to dissolve itself,” said Tobin.

“It has done neither.

“Instead, the Authority adopted a 15-year, $12 Billion Capital Plan on August 25, 2011, with no intent to comply with these statutory requirements, but to perpetuate its existence and convert the Elgin-O’Hare freeway into a tollway.”

“TUA will ask the court to enforce the law and end the Illinois tollway system,” said Tobin.

“If the Court allows the temporary restraining order, it will then have time to consider an injunction to stop the 90 percent toll tax increase.”

The motion is scheduled to be heard on Oct. 26, 2011, at 11:15 a.m. in Room 2402 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Room 2402.

The Chicago Tribune today discusses Democrats (and Republicans, although the GOP has almost no say in the legislative process) are doing to fulfill the legislative pledge of rolling back the 67% income tax hike according to the schedule in the tax hike law.

The analysis reveals that current spending must be cut over the next four years—substantially–in order to be able to pay off debt accumulated under the eight years of Democratic Party rule after Rod Blagojevich was elected in 2002.

Spending up a billion a year.

Tax revenue not.

Illinois, not surprisingly, ended up with billions of dollars in bills that could not be paid.

And, there was also that retired public employee pension payment problem. Promises made (to me, among others) and presumably guaranteed by the 1970 Illinois State Constitution…at least as long as State Supreme Court Justices are in such a pension system.

National Taxpayers United of Illinois President Jim Tobin makes a persuasive argument that all of the 67% income tax proceeds will go to pay those pension obligations.

The Tribune article has a quote from local State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington Hills). The Republican is a budget negotiator, one step below House Minority Leader Tom Cross. Here’s what he told the Tribune reporter:

“Anybody who believes we are going to ever eliminate that tax (increase) better think again. We’re not going to ever eliminate that tax…We need the money.”

Cross, who appointed Beaubien says this:

“There’s a path there to not continue the tax increase. We feel pretty good about that.”

There’s a tax protest meeting in Wonder Lake Sunday afternoon at 1 PM at Christ the King Church, located at 5006 E. Wonder Lake Road.

I’ve written about it before, but since Jim Tobin is coming to McHenry County tomorrow and the auditorium of McHenry’s West High School was packed for the last school board meeting as a result of the tax hike referendum on the ballot in April, plus the intention of the outgoing school board to high a new superintendent and ratify a teachers’ contract before newly-elected school board members are seated, I think you might like a reminder.

I’m wondering if any high school board candidates will attend and pass out information on where they stand on the issues of the day in High School District 156.