Sales Tax Hike Phase-out in Chicago, But Not in Crystal Lake

Front page news on both of Chicago’s papers today was the Cook County Board’s vote to phase out its hefty sales tax under the now out-of-office Todd Stroger. The Crystal Lake City Council’s March, 2008, 75% city sales tax increase went … Continue reading

TORA – Ticket to Re-Election

The petitions for re-election are being circulated for Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley and Council members Cathy Ferguson, Ellen Brady Mueller and Brett Hopkins. And, just in time for the campaign, there is an election kick-off party that required the … Continue reading

Massive Tax Cut on the Ballot in Massachusetts; Illinois Dems Won’t Allow Such Votes

Cutting the sales tax from 6.25% to 3% is actually on the ballot as a binding referendum in Massachusetts. Such political reforms by the will of the people is something that Illinois Democrats have long vehemently opposed. Whenever you hear … Continue reading

The Illinois State Fair and Other Things Republican Today

Today, the Illinois Republican Party is holding its day at the State Fair. Busloads are people are heading that way as I write this article. When I went, it was called Governor’s Day. That was back in Jim Thompson’s time. … Continue reading

McHenry City Council Votes 4-3 to Hike City Sales Tax 50%

After an extensive debate with no public input because a public hearing had been previously held, three McHenry Aldermen and one Alderwoman voted to raise the city sales tax rate 50%. The rate will go from the current 1% to … Continue reading

McHenry City Council to Vote on 50% City Sales Tax Hike at Monday Meeting

The Republican running against Democrat Jack Franks for state representative sends the following press release about the McHenry City Council’s probable vote to hike its city sales tax 50% on Monday night. Home Rule cities like McHenry can raise the … Continue reading

McHenry Council Considers Raising City Sales Tax 50%

To raise the McHenry City Sales Tax 50% or not. That was the question last night at a sparsely attended public hearing. It’s less than the Crystal Lake City Council raised its City Sales Tax. In the county’s biggest municipality, … Continue reading

Lawrence County Publisher Calls for Delay in Education Sales Tax Hike

Although primary election voters approved the imposition of a one percentage point sales tax hike in Lawrence County, former State Rep. now Sumner Press Publisher Roscoe Cunningham is calling for a delay in the county board’s imposing it. “While changing … Continue reading

550th Day of Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley’s 75% City Sales Tax Hike

Because of severe computer problems with my new Hewlett-Packard computer, I missed the 525th day anniversary of Mayor Aaron Shepley’s and his city council’s (sans Jeff Thorsen) 75% hike of the Crystal Lake city sales tax’s having taken effect. It … Continue reading

It’s "Thank Your McHenry County Republican Legislator Who Voted To Raise Your Taxes" Day

Certainly it will be hard for some readers to grasp, but three of the four Republican legislators representing McHenry County voted for the tax increases on beer, wine, liquor, candy, soft drinks, etc., not to mention putting slot machines in … Continue reading

But Not in Crystal Lake

The Cook County Board voted to cut the Cook County sales tax by 50%. The suggestion in this article in today’s Chicago Sun-Times proved correct. The Cook County sales tax hike took effect the same day that Crystal Lake Mayor … Continue reading