Illinoisans are in dire need of property tax relief. The average Illinoisans pays a property tax burden is 2.27% of home value, which is double the national average and second highest in the country.
Unfortunately, the problem is getting worse under Governor Pritzker.
Property taxes under Pritzker are increasing by an average of $1 billion yearly. Illinois taxpayers are on pace to pay $16 billion more in property taxes during Pritzker’s 4-year term than his predecessor. (Source)
Governor Pritzker’s Property Tax Relief Task Force's goal was to achieve “long-term property tax relief for homeowners” (Source), but even members of his own party admitted the task force failed. (Source)
This year, Gov. Pritzker touted a “property tax rebate,” which wasn’t even a rebate of property taxes paid. It’s an election-year gimmick financed by unprecedented Coronavirus stimulus dollars. Instead, property taxes will increase by another billion this year.
Stimulus dollars are nearly exhausted. Pritzker has done little to change the trajectory of Illinois' high property tax problem. Illinois residents need real reform.
The Taxpayer Empowerment Act, House Bill 1427, is real reform.
Introduced by Rep. Joe Sosnowski, the Taxpayer Empowerment Act would allow Illinoisans to submit a ballot question to freeze or reduce a property tax levy of a local government from anywhere between zero and 10 percent once every two years.
Empowering Illinoisans to reduce taxes is overwhelmingly supported by voters. An August 2021 poll commissioned by Americans for Prosperity—Illinois showed that 77% of Illinoisans support allowing citizens to vote to lower their property taxes up to 10%, vs. only 11% who oppose.
It’s time for legislators to support real property tax reform and empower voters.
I urge you to support and co-sponsor HB 1427 - the Taxpayer Empowerment Act.
