Carol Marin Praises Franks for Anti-Tax Stance Two Days after Franks Proposes Huge Tax Hike

The story line for Chicago Sun-Times columnist Carol Marin was that backbenchers like David McSweeney and Jack Franks (pictured with McSweeney’s hands on his back and chest) ought to revolt and solve the budget problem in Springfield. But, apparently after … Continue reading

Tryon Signals Readiness to Vote for Tax Hikes, Others Opposed or More Cautious

Responding to a Democratic Party amendment that would freeze property taxes, retiring State Rep. Mike Tryon asked sponsor John Bradley if he had talked to Governor Bruce Rauner. While the language was the same as the Governor’s Bradley, admitted that … Continue reading

More Tax Hike Referendums Scheduled

When McHenry County Blog first reported on referendums local tax districts had scheduled for the April election, there was only one. Now there are three: Village of Spring Grove – Proposition to increase extension limitation to 0.214% River East Public Library … Continue reading

Reader Compares Althoff-Tryon Tax Hike Bill to Horse Race

Reader Susan’s mind is really occupied with Senate Bill 3341, the legislation successfully sponsored by State Senators Pam Althoff and Karen McConnaughay in the upper house and State Representative Mike Tryon in the lower house. Here is her comparison of … Continue reading

Interpreting Althoff’s Defense of Senate Bill 3341 Authorizing Non-Referendum Bonds

In a comment under Pam Althoff’s defense of the bill to allow the McHenry County Conservation District to borrow money without referendum approve, bond analyst Steve Willson, a resident of Lakewood, offers the following glossary. He calls it a “Voters’ … Continue reading

Althoff Defends Conservation District Tax Hike Bill

Commentary from State Senator Pam Althoff: Senate Bill 3341 gives McHenry County Conservation District more budget flexibility Improving fiscal management in Illinois has always been a top priority for me. I continue to fight for long-term budget solutions and sound … Continue reading

By 5-2 Vote McHenry Grade School Board Taxes to the Max

Add McHenry Elementary School District 15 to that list of tax districts planning to take as much money out of local taxpayers’ pockets as state law allows. The legal publication for the public hearing about the proposed levy said the … Continue reading

Tryon Moves Conservation District Tax Hike Bill Out of Committee

On a 9-1 vote, McHenry County State Rep. Mike Tryon has moved Senate Bill 3341, the bill to allow the McHenry County Conservation District to borrow money without a referendum, from the House Revenue Committee. That will, of course, lead … Continue reading

Two Tax Cap Busting Referendums on the Ballot

Should have caught this sooner. The Village of Bull Valley and the River East Public Library District are asking voter permission to bump their tax rates way up. Look at the ballot question in Bull Valley first: Bull Valley is … Continue reading

Legislative Committee Deliberations on MCCD Tax Hike Proposals

I was going to get up early Thursday to attend the McHenry County Board’s Legislative Committee re-consideration of endorsement resolutions of Pam Althoff’s two bills to allow the Conservation District to raise taxes (one needing voter referendum approval, one not). … Continue reading