Oppose Gov. Pritzker's Mega Property Tax Hike Bill

Megaproject Bills Promote Cronyism and Harm Taxpayers

Sign The Letter

Dear Official(s),

As Illinoisans grapple with the nation's highest property taxes, I urge you to reject the “Megaproject” bills (HB 4058, HB 2789, SB 1514) pushed by Gov. Pritzker's appointees. These schemes create a two-tier tax system, granting massive property-tax freezes to politically connected developers for projects valued at $100 million or more, while shifting billions in taxes dollar-for-dollar onto ordinary families and small businesses.
By freezing assessments at a fraction of true value while allowing local governments to count the full property value for levy limits under PTELL, these bills enable crony capitalism at its worst—low taxes for the elite, sky-high burdens for everyone else. This betrays the spirit of the Illinois Constitution’s Uniformity Clause and equal treatment under the law.
Instead of entrenching inequality through selective subsidies, the Illinois General Assembly should prioritize broad reforms that lower taxes for all: eliminate corporate welfare, cut unfunded mandates, and ensure uniform assessments without favoritism.
Vote NO on the Megaproject bills. Stop this mega tax shift, defend hardworking Illinoisans, and restore fairness to our tax system. The people of Illinois deserve better than backroom deals for billionaires.
As Illinoisans grapple with the nation's highest property taxes, I urge you to reject the “Megaproject” bills (HB 4058, HB 2789, SB 1514) pushed by Gov. Pritzker's appointees. These schemes create a two-tier tax system, granting massive property-tax freezes to politically connected developers for projects valued at $100 million or more, while shifting billions in taxes dollar-for-dollar onto ordinary families and small businesses.

Sincerely

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Why the Megaproject Bills Promote Cronyism and Harm Taxpayers

Crony Tax Shifts: Megaprojects get up to 99% property-tax reductions by freezing assessed values (e.g., a $200M parcel developed into $5B still taxed at $200M). Local governments count the full value as “new construction” under PTELL for levy ceilings and bonds, resulting in a dollar-for-dollar shift to non-project taxpayers: -

Taxpayer Impact:

If 25% of the district’s EAV is excluded from taxation for a megaproject, other taxpayers could face a 33% property-tax increase.

If 33% of the district’s EAV is excluded from taxation for a megaproject, other taxpayers could face a 49% property-tax increase.

If 50% of the district’s EAV is excluded from taxation for a megaproject, other taxpayers could face a 100% property-tax increase.

Bypassing Voters: Allows side deals with developers for “special payments” that sidestep referendums, potentially funneling funds back as disguised subsidies.

State Dollars: Despite claims of no state dollars, some of the bills exempt building materials from state and local sales taxes, resulting in costs of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Constitutional Betrayal: Undermines the Illinois Constitution’s Uniformity Clause and equal protection principles by favoring millionaires and billionaires.

Worsening the Crisis: Illinois ranks #1 in property taxes; these bills deepen inequality, rewarding insiders while punishing families and retirees.