Reader Challenges Jack Franks on Property Tax Relief

Yesterday, I quoted Jack Franks from an interview on WLS done by “Big” John Howell.

One of the reasons Franks gave for running for the Chairmanship of the McHenry County Board was to

“…really work on property tax relief…”

A comment from “We the People”:

jack interested in real estate tax relief???

Not when I called him back in 2011-2012 !!!

When I explained an unusual circumstance regarding taxes his only response was ‘let it go delinquent’.

While I took a major financial, and I mean MAJOR financial hit my concern was that he needed to introduce and pass legislation to protect others in the state who were in the same unusual situation.

My spouse was a good friend to jack and all his campaigns over the years but after his death I needed jack’s help but ‘let the property go delinquent and then pay off the taxes “if you can” was the help I received.

Sorry, jack doesn’t give one hoot about McHenry County taxes or the people who have worked diligently for him over the years.

Send him back to practicing law and out of government.

Another from McHenry County Board member Jeff Thorsen:

Jeff Thorsen

Jeff Thorsen

Jack…

I have always tried to watchdog the activities of our elected officials…

there is certain documented history of my efforts and I will not give up that effort…

Jack I have been fighting this battle…

while you have been nodding yeah or ney downstate…

and your record speaks for itself….

This hit piece, based on the Franks' bill roll call on Friday, arrived Monday in Republican Mark Batinick's district mailboxes.

This hit piece against GOP State Rep. Mark Batinick, based on a Jack Franks’ tax freeze bill roll call, may be the most significant result of the Democrat’s efforts–providing campaign fodder for House Speaker Mike Madigan.

Republican Mark Batinick’

that said I do take offence that one who comes from the Sodom of Springfield, would try to cast himself as saving us from the “corruption and the waste and the fraud” here in McHenry County…..you were supposed to be doing that for us at the state level..

anyone who assumes McHenry County has bigger problems with corruption waste and fraud than the State of Illinois is missing the point…

IG TIME

So, let’s look at some of what Jack Franks has tried to do about property taxes in Springfield:

Here is where this session’s Jack Franks’ property tax relief bills could be found last week:

House Bill 156

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Property Tax Code. With respect to the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that, beginning in assessment year 2015, the taxpayer’s household income shall be reduced by any amounts paid as Medicare premiums. Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it?  Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Bill 157

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In a Section granting a tax credit for residential real property taxes, provides that, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, if the taxpayer qualifies for the disabled persons’ homestead exemption under the Property Tax Code, then the taxpayer is entitled to a credit equal to 10% (instead of 5%) of real property taxes paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year on the qualifying property. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer’s liability to less than zero. Exempts the credit from the Act’s automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it? Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Bill 158

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Property Tax Code. Authorizes counties to establish and operate a homestead protection program under which the county treasurer may make payments from the indemnity fund to pay the delinquent taxes, along with all associated fees and interest, on the primary residence of eligible taxpayers. Provides that the county treasurer shall have a lien on the property in the amount of the assistance provided. Sets forth requirements for the program. Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it? Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Bill 159

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the disabled veterans standard homestead exemption, provides that, for taxable years 2015 and thereafter: (i) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 30% or more but less than 50%, the annual exemption is $2,500; (ii) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, the annual exemption is $5,000; and (iii) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 70% or more, then the property is exempt from taxation. Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it? Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Bill 3129

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2020 levy year, the Law applies to all taxing districts in the State (currently, the Law applies to non-home rule taxing districts in Cook County, non-home rule taxing districts in counties that are contiguous to Cook, and other taxing districts by referendum). Provides that, beginning in levy year 2020, the extension limitation shall be 1.75% or the rate of increase approved by voters (currently, (A) the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year or (B) the rate of increase approved by voters). Preempts home rule powers. Provides that, beginning in levy year 2016, when calculating the equalized assessed value of property, the multiplier shall be applied to the mean value of the previous 3 general assessments. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it? Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Bill 3130

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if the total equalized assessed value of all taxable property in the taxing district for the current levy year (excluding new property, recovered tax increment value, and property that is annexed to or disconnected from the taxing district in the current levy year) is less than the total equalized assessed value of all taxable property in the taxing district for the previous levy year, then the extension limitation is (a) 0% or (b) the rate of increase approved by voters (instead of the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year or (b) the rate of increase approved by voters). Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it? Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Bill 4263

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the 2016 and 2017 levy years, the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law applies to all taxing districts, including home rule units and school districts. Provides that, for the 2016 and 2017 levy years, the extension limitation under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law is 0% or the rate of increase approved by the voters. Preempts home rule. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Amends the School Code. Creates a General State Aid Committee to propose a revised school funding formula for Illinois schools. Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it? Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Bill 4290

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the aggregate rate of tax imposed by all taxing districts on any parcel of residential property that, as of January 1 of the levy year, has been occupied by a qualified taxpayer as his or her principal dwelling place for a period of at least 30 years shall not exceed 5%. Provides that the term “qualified taxpayer” means a person who (i) is 65 years of age or older during the taxable year, (ii) is liable for paying real estate taxes on the property, and (iii) is an owner of record of the property or has a legal or equitable interest therein as evidenced by a written instrument, except for a leasehold interest, other than a leasehold interest of land on which a single family residence is located. Contains provisions concerning applications for the reduction. Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it? Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

House Bill 4612

  • Synopsis As Introduced
    Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section granting a Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that the maximum income limitation is $60,000 for taxable year 2016 and thereafter. Effective immediately.
  • What happened to it? Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Comments

Reader Challenges Jack Franks on Property Tax Relief — 13 Comments

  1. Are these Jack’s accomplishments on property tax reform?

    They appear to be much ado about nothing.

    He fought so hard these ideas went nowhere.

    This appears to be an effort to look good to the voters, but not fight hard enough to get sideways with his comrades, the Madigan Democrat machine.

    He will bring the same “effort” and “results” to McHenry County if the voters are foolish enough to believe his rhetoric and not look into the reality.

  2. What standard are you holding lawmakers to when it comes to passing legislation?

    John, you sound like an authoritarian Trump voter.

    If I had to venture a guess, your perception of the legislative process is that of a zero sum game.

    If your side doesn’t “win,” then it’s a failure.

    How is it that you also are claiming apples to oranges with the county vs state systems?

    Franks’ choice to run locally is a completely rational choice given the above record outlined above!

    More change can be exacted at a local level because there are less players in the game thus garnering more results.

    If county republicans share your view that they won’t work with Jack simply because he’s a democrat, well, to hell with you because that’s exactly the same obstructionist nonsense happening in Springfield!

    This is about policy, I doubt you are against lower taxes, I doubt you are against a balanced budget.

    If there’s a candidate espousing that, then vote for him!!!

  3. All the more reason to make sure Franks does not take another seat in Government.

    We the people, want to hear the stories behind Franks time in office.

    Thank you for that.

  4. Quoting Moderate ‘I doubt you are against lower taxes, I doubt you are against a balanced budget.

    If there’s a candidate espousing that, then vote for him!!!’.

    Well there is a candidate that has put his time in as a
    Regular board member & has worked on alot of good serious Changes, who does deserve everyone’s vote be they Democrat Or Republicans & that is

    MICHAEL WALKUP ! ! !

  5. A detailed and comprehensive chronicle of Franks’ hypocrisy and deception!

    Thanks Cal!

  6. Quite curious if the robo-call was for

    state Rep

    County board chairman

    Or BOTH ?

    Franks needs to have people emailing

    Him the WITHDRAWAL Form.

  7. The only thing he accomplished was for some staying status quo for NON HOME RULE towns.

    So what does that mean all of us who are in this HOME RULED towns have to make up the differences?

  8. Savvy analysis – I learned a lot from the details –

    Does anyone know if my assistant could possibly find a template IL PTAX-340 version to type on ?

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