Tag Archives: Illinois

Illinois Governor Pritzker’s “Fair Tax” a Joke without Pension Reform!

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Governor Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax which he calls a “fair tax” is deception at a level which is even horrible by Illinois corrupt standards.  Under his proposed rates the average person would get a very modest tax decrease.  Only one problem, there is nothing to stop the tax and spend politicians in Springfield from raising the rates the next year.   One reason Illinois is in such bad shape is the 3% increase in state pensions each year guaranteed by the Illinois Constitution.    Unless the Governor’s income tax proposal is coupled with a change in the Illinois Constitution eliminating the guaranteed pension increases each year and changing state retirement benefits in Illinois, no income tax changes should be approved by the voters in Illinois.  To make matters worse, the Governor does not address the high real estate taxes paid by residents of this state.  In the long run his “fair tax” is just another Illinois gimmick to fund state government and its guaranteed pensions on the backs of the few remaining workers in the private sector.  Illinois has one of the highest outward migrations of its citizens in the nation, and passage of the fair tax without other reforms will just accelerate this outward migration.  After this punishing winter in Illinois, it’s nice to know that the politicians in Springfield will now start the financial punishment of its citizens.

Verbal Agreement or Not – It’s Wrong! 

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 If a city or other government employee enters into a verbal agreement which violates the law, is it enforceable? It would even be worse if that city employee knew that the agreement violated the law, and is enriched personally as a result of the knowing violation. Let’s assume the city employee is the chief legal counsel for the city, and creates a special exception for the city’s legal counsel contrary to the city’s ordinances. Is such conduct acceptable from ethical stand point much less from a legal stand point? You be the judge. The level of corruption in the State of Illinois, real or perceived, is beyond belief. It starts with city governments, goes to the county level, and then ends up at the State level. Let’s be honest and face the facts. Freeport and Stephenson County are not the exception to the Illinois rule: Corruption is ok – just don’t’ get caught.

Illinois and Cities in Northwest Illinois Lose Population – But Illinois Is Leader in Real Estate Taxes!

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 Rockford, Illinois leads the State of Illinois in population decline. See http://newsroom.niu.edu/2015/05/26/illinois-population-shifts/ The State of Illinois leads the nation in population decline. To make matters even worse, the majority of the loss is attributable to people moving to neighboring states such as Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri. If they all were going to Florida, you could at least understand that they like Florida winters better than winters in Illinois! Illinois is a leader in one category – real estate taxes. It is a close second to New Jersey which has the highest real estate taxes in the country. See http://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-property-taxes/11585/ I have faith in Illinois – it will soon overtake New Jersey!

 Winnebago County (Rockford) does lead within the State of Illinois in one category – Real Estate Tax Rates! See http://www.rebootillinois.com/2014/03/13/uncategorized/brendanbond/list-residential-property-tax-rates-illinois-county/2303/

 Do you think there is a correlation between high real estate taxes and population decline?

It’s Good to Know That Our Muslim friends Have a Place to Meet in Polo, Illinois!

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IMG_3593.JPGA follower of Good Day Illinois recently sent me a picture of a former Church in Polo which has been converted to the Polo Islamic Center. Most of us were unaware that Polo was a mecca for Muslims. Tell your Muslim friends that Polo, Illinois is the place to go if you want to interact with your fellow Muslims. I guess that means that pork hot dogs and beer will soon be banned in Polo, and that women will soon be wearing burkas instead of jeans!

Black Bears Invade Northwest Illinois – Governor Quinn Blames Wisconsin!

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Black bears have been spotted in Freeport, Stockton, and now Rockford, Illinois. The bears are migrating from our northern neighbor, Wisconsin. There have not been any black bears in Illinois since 1870. Do you really believe that they decided to come to Illinois on their own? The answer is a resounding NO. Wisconsin Governor Walker and his Republican friends to the north by their tax policies gave the State of Wisconsin a decisive tax advantage over their high tax friends to the south. To further drive residents and businesses out of Illinois, Wisconsin has been secretly forcing black bears south into Illinois.

Mayor Morrissey of Rockford, Illinois stated – “It’s difficult enough to attract residents and businesses to Rockford when you look at the economic policies of this state, and now you cannot even go out at night without the threat of black bears attacking you.” Governor Quinn to his credit did say that if there are any bear attacks in the area, he would consider mobilizing the National Guard. Bruce Rauner, his Republican opponent in this fall’s election, stated that in order to encourage economic development he would recommend tax credits for bear processing plants if they would relocate to northwest Illinois.

For more information provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, go to

Click to access bearpractice.pdf

It Time Our Politicians in Springfield Take The 67% Pledge!

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The Illinois Legislature adjourned with no action on taxes. Obviously, they did not want to vote for a tax increase prior to the election. After the last election, the Legislature came back into session led by Governor Quinn and increased the state’s income tax by 67%. How stupid do our representatives think we are? The answer my friend is written in the waste pit they call Springfield – damn stupid. After the next election, we could have a new Governor and few new people in the legislature making passage of a tax increase more difficult. Never fear, they have a plan just like last time. They will reconvene the legislature after the election. The 67% income tax increase will be made permanent. Any spending cuts and reductions in public employee benefits will be rescinded.

It’s time for the people of this state to wake up – make the legislators of this state take the 67% Pledge. No tax increases and no new legislation after the election by a lame duck legislature. They must promise to deal with the issues facing this state after the new legislature and governor are sworn in. Of course, this is this Illinois. Most of them will refuse to take the pledge. Integrity and honesty are not a characteristic of most Illinois politicians. When they refuse to take the pledge, Illinois voters will know the type of representatives they are dealing with and can vote accordingly.

Freeport Mayor Praises Governor Quinn in Recent Column – How Soon We Forget! Freeport’s New Slogan – Give Us A Crumb and We Will Support You Forever!

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Mayor Jim Gitz of Freeport in his weekly column in the Journal Standard thanked Governor Quinn for repairs to West Street and Park Boulevard. Mr. Gitz must have a short memory. This Governor has done little for Freeport and Northwest Illinois west of Rockford. Thank the Governor for a 67% income tax increase, thank the Governor for doing nothing on a four lane US 20, thank the Governor for the train from Rockford to Chicago (If you live in Freeport, you can take the bike path to Rockford to catch the train.), thank the Governor for creating a business environment in this state that drives existing businesses out of the state such as MetLife, thank the Governor for destroying existing businesses in this state that cannot afford to leave, and thank the Governor for destroying the lives of many citizens of this state who have lost jobs, homes, and families as a result of his destructive policies. Yes, this Governor has created quite a legacy!

Real Estate Tax Bills Are Out – Freeport Rate Pushing 12%!

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Freeport does have one big disadvantage when it comes to economic growth. It is located in Illinois! Illinois is known as anti-business state and high tax state (they go together). Although it may not be totally justified, that is the perception. To make matters worse, the reckless spending and high taxes at a state level must be contagious. Look at the Freeport School District! A tax rate of 6.5% in 2012 and for 2013 it is 7%, and this District had enough nerve to want 1% sales tax increase. While many states such as Texas have no state income taxes, Illinois raised its tax 67% a few years ago. It was supposed to be a temporary increase – what a joke. Taking the revenue away from the bureaucrats in Illinois is like taking sugar away from rats. Once the rat gets used to the sugar, it will do anything to get more. Same for the politicians in Springfield. Illinois, instead of looking for ways to cut spending, looks instead for new sources of revenue which is another way of saying more tax increases are coming!

Get a Traffic Ticket in Illinois – They Take Your License!

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You are an Illinois resident and are driving in the state of Illinois to the airport. You are stopped for going six miles over the speed limit. The officer is very polite, but takes your driver’s license since that is the policy in Illinois. Get a ticket and they keep your license until you post bond! Unfortunately, you do not have time to post bond since your flight is leaving in less than two hours. In addition you plan to rent a car when you arrive at your destination. What a way to start a vacation! You get to the airport with no acceptable State identification except a receipt for your license. If you get through security, try to rent a car with no actual driver’s license. Thank you Illinois! By the way, if you are a non-resident, you could keep your license.

Just another way you are penalized for being a resident of this state. No other state treats its residents like Illinois, but we already know that!

There is bill being considered in the Illinois legislature to correct this problem by allowing residents to keep their licenses after getting speeding tickets. Why has this taken so long? This is Illinois, so don’t bet on it becoming law. It’s a wonder that Illinois residents are not jailed in this state for a speeding ticket – sorry I shouldn’t have mentioned it. That will be next. Just another way to raise revenue – It is Illinois.