Tag Archives: taxes

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.

Freeport, Illinois Leads the Nation in Progressive Tax Relief – Equipment and City Employees Can Be Rented!

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At the Freeport, Illinois, City Council Meeting on September 19, 2016, the Council approved the City Engineer’s use of City equipment for construction purposes for the Forrestville Valley School District. Of course, the City Engineer said the School District would reimburse the City for the equipment use. The precedent has been set for City employees to use City equipment in off duty hours as long as they pay rent for the equipment! Alderpersons Chesney and Miller voted against renting out City equipment and employees, but the rest of the alderpersons had no problem with this new policy. I guess this means that our taxes will be lowered in Freeport as a result of all this new rental income. Perhaps, Freeport can teach the State of Illinois a lesson. The state can rent out equipment, employees, and buildings to reduce the deficit. With all of that new income, the State will actually be able to lower taxes.

If You Think Freeport’s Real Estate Taxes Are Too Low – Contribute to the City of Freeport!

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Certain alderpersons on the present Freeport City Council have consistently supported more spending and higher taxes. This group is led by Tom Klemm, Sally Brashaw, and Mike Koester who have not seen a tax increase or higher spending that they did not feel was necessary. I for one agree with Alderman Chesney – WE ARE TAXED ENOUGH. For those who feel they are undertaxed, they are free to copy the above form and make an additional contribution to the City of Freeport. I hope everyone sends Klemm, Brashaw, and Koester a copy of the form. As the expression goes, put your money where your mouth is!

Freeport City Council to Consider Additional Annual Rental Registration Fees

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The Freeport City Council will meet at 6:00 pm on Monday, March 2 in its temporary quarters at 524 W. Stephenson Streeet, 3rd floor.  If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

 

Some items of interest on the agenda:

 

Proclamation declaring March “Youth Art Month in the City of Freeport” and urging everyone to join in celebrating this event by attending Aspiring Artists Exhibition at the Freeport Art Museum at 121 N. Harlem Avenue,  on March 20 at 5:00 pm.

 

2nd Reading of Ordinance providing for annual rental property registration fees so that enforcement of the ordinance will be paid from the fees generated.   See ordinance at http://www.cityoffreeport.org/OrdRes/Proposed%20rpr%20fees.pdf

 

Mayor Gitz stated in the Journal Standard on March 1, 2015 when talking about Freeport landlords:

 

“They want you and I to pay for the impact their business has on all of us.  Basically, they want 

to socialize the cost and privatize the benefit.”

 

I do hope Mr. Gitz will keep this statement in mind and apply it to other areas of government when he seeks new revenues.  Every new TIF district and enterprize zone shifts the tax burden to other small businesses and homeowners.  Existing TIF funds are used to benefit districts and not the town at large.  If that is not socializing the cost – I don’t know what it is.   With that said landlords should be prepared for increasing fees in the future.  Have you ever heard of a government program that is run so efficiently that the cost goes down every year?    

 

For the complete agenda go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20150302.pdf

 

When Does NO Not Mean NO? Ask The Freeport School District!

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2015/01/img_3777.jpgIn March of 2014 the voters of Stephenson County soundly rejected a 1% increase in the sales tax on the people of Stephenson County for the benefit of school districts in the county with Freeport School District being the biggest beneficiary of this tax increase. The administrators (some now gone) at Freeport District promoted this tax with the support of some members of the school board who will also soon be gone. Now the Freeport School Board has voted to put the question of raising the sales tax 1% on the ballot again. No wonder our schools are in such bad shape when the administration does not know the meaning of the word “NO.” The administrators in the school district tell us that property taxes will go down. What a joke! Give the Freeport District more money, and they will just spend more. Now what is really sad about this whole mess is that those bureaucrats running the Freeport School District will be out promoting this tax at our expense. We are paying them to destroy this community. They have millions of dollars at their disposal and hundreds of employees to help them promote this tax. Administrators come and go, but taxes once levied are never reduced. There is only one truth in government – give them more money and they will spend it!

If Historic City Hall Is The Right Choice – Let Them Pay!

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The group, Citizens for Saving Freeport City Hall, should be commended for its efforts to save a historic building in Freeport. There is only one problem – it should be done at its expense, and not the taxpayers of Freeport. Spending $4.3 million on this building is not realistic considering this city’s limited resources. This building should be donated to the Citizens for Saving Freeport City Hall, and they can then raise the money privately to rehabilitate the building. We will then find out how important it is to save the building when this group must finance it on its own.

We Are The Internal Revenue Service – We Are Above The Law!

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Any taxpayer who has had the unfortunate experience of dealing with the IRS can attest to the fact that there is double standard in Washington.

If you work for the IRS, and don’t pay your income taxes – what do you get? A big fat bonus.
See LA Times article at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-irs-bonuses-20140424-story.html

If you don’t work for the IRS, and don’t pay your income taxes – what do you get? A sentence to a federal prison. See some of the cases the IRS publicizes at http://www.irs.gov/uac/Examples-of-Nonfiler-Investigations-Fiscal-Year-2014

If you work for the IRS, you can refuse to answer questions before a U.S. House Committee about your work and possible criminal activities asserting your right against self-incrimination – what do you get? A big fat retirement check each month. See article at http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/melanie-hunter/lois-lerner-pleads-fifth-again-house-hearing-irs-scandal

If you don’t work for the IRS, and agents ask you about your failure to report income, and you refuse to answer – What do you get? A sentence to federal prison.

If you work for the IRS, and don’t want incriminating emails released when requested by a Congressional Committee, you say your computer crashed! What do you get? A big fat retirement check each month? See article at http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/06/17/lost-irs-emails-get-real-team-obama-were-not-that-gullible/

You’re audited by the IRS, and tell them your computer crashed and you lost all of your records – What do you get? A sentence to federal prison.

And finally, if you’re the IRS Commissioner, and a U.S. House Committee asks you if you owe the American people an apology for the conduct of the IRS – You refuse to apologize since you know that it’s part of the code of conduct of the IRS. You never apologize no matter how much damage you have done to an honest taxpayer. I guess that means if your are the IRS, you can do what every you want – damn Congress and the citizens of this country. So sad, but true.

Freeport City Council Meets Monday, June 16 – Watch Alderman Shawn Boldt in Action -A Real Leader – That Is a Leader for Higher Taxes!

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At the June 2 Freeport Council meeting there was the first reading of the new Comcast (cable) franchise agreement. As is usual with this Council, there was little constructive discussion except for Alderman Shawn Boldt who wondered if the 5% franchise fee (basically a tax of 5% on your cable bill) could be increased. He was advised that the FCC set the maximum which is 5%. It’s good to know that Alderman Boldt is looking for ways to increase our taxes. He must be auditioning for a job with Governor Quinn and his tax and spend friends in Springfield.
The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor. If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

Some items of interest on the agenda:

Proclamation of Mayor proclaiming June 19 – 22 Juneteenth Day, read it at http://www.cityoffreeport.org/OrdRes/PROCL%20JUNETEENTH_20140616.pdf

Memo on monthly garbage rate increase starting July 1 from $12.02 to $12.25 per month

2nd reading of Ordinance approving Comcast Franchise Agreement

2nd reading of Ordinance amending Residential Rental Property Regulations

Various Resolutions pertaining to county-wide transportation program to be run by Senior Resource Center in Freeport

Appointment of James Brown, Community Development Director, to the Board of Directors of the Jane Addams Trail Commission and the Pecatonica Prairie Path Commission, with Shaun Gallagher, City Engineer, as an alternate Board member for each Commission.

Acceptance of low bid and Contract for Mill and Overly Program to Civil Constructors, Inc. for $292,567.20

To read the complete agenda, go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20140616.pdf

If You Live in Freeport and Stephenson County, Your 1st Installment of Real Estate Taxes Is Due Friday, June 6. Freeport Rates Up Over 10% in Two Years!

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Don’t let those taxing bodies fool you. Every taxing body in the City of Freeport has increased their tax rates for 2013 led by the Freeport School District which has the capacity by itself to bankrupt this community. The total tax rate for those living in Freeport has increased over 10% in two years, and this is a fact. If this rate increase continues at 5% per year, it would be up 25% in five years. If you work in the private sector, has your income gone up over 10% in last two years? If you are retired without a public pension, has your social security gone up 10% in the last two years? When will the taxpayers in Freeport say enough is enough? The answer is clear – only after it is too late, and we are close to that point.

IRS Uses Gestapo Tactics Against Small Businesses and Individuals While Its Employees Plead the Fifth!

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Lois Lerner while appearing before a congressional committee for the second time again refused to talk asserting her right against self-incrimination (5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution).

It’s not that Ms. Lerner should not have this right, but is particularly disgusting that she works for an agency before which the average taxpayer has few real rights much less the right against self-incrimination. Every time you sign and file a tax return you could be subjecting yourself to criminal prosecution! Write across the return that you are asserting your 5th Amendment right to refuse to answer – surprise you go to jail!

How do we reward IRS employees who may have been part of a criminal conspiracy (targeting political groups)? Only in America – we let them retire with a generous Federal pension – speculated to be over $100,000 per year!

Enough said – we all must get back to work and pay our taxes so Lois Lerner and her friends can enjoy the benefits of living in a democracy!

Oh by the way, if you are ever questioned by the IRS, tell them you are asserting your Lois Lerner Rights! I’m sure the agent will understand as you are carted off to jail.