Oppose Gov. Pritzker's Mega Property Tax Hike Bill

Megaproject Bills Promote Cronyism and Harm Taxpayers

Sign The Letter

Dear Official(s),

Illinois families already pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Now Gov. Pritzker is pushing “Megaproject” bills that give massive tax breaks to billion-dollar developments while shifting the burden onto homeowners and small businesses.
HB 910 – Rep. Buckner (D-Chicago)

HB 4058 – Leader Hoffman (D-Swansea)

HB 2789 – Rep. Canty (D-Arlington Heights)

SB 1514 – Sen. Walker (D-Arlington Heights)
These bills lock in artificially low assessments, allowing megaproject developers to avoid paying property taxes on new value for up to 45 years.
Even worse, local governments can use that untaxed value to justify higher levies and more debt, pushing the cost onto everyone else.
Illinois doesn’t need carve-outs for the well-connected. We need a fair system with property tax caps for everyone.
Vote NO on the Megaproject bills. Stand with Illinois taxpayers.
Illinois families already pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Now Gov. Pritzker is pushing “Megaproject” bills that give massive tax breaks to billion-dollar developments while shifting the burden onto homeowners and small businesses.
HB 910 – Rep. Buckner (D-Chicago)

Sincerely,

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Why the Megaproject Bills Promote Cronyism and Harm Taxpayers

Property Tax Shift:
These bills allow megaprojects to lock in artificially low assessments, cutting property taxes by up to 99%. A $200 million property redeveloped into a $5 billion project could still be taxed as if it were worth $200 million. Meanwhile, under PTELL, local governments can count the full new value to increase levies and debt, shifting the tax burden directly onto everyone else.

What That Means for Taxpayers:

If 25% of a district’s EAV is shielded → other taxpayers could see ~33% higher property taxes

If 33% is shielded → ~49% higher taxes

If 50% is shielded → taxes could double (100% increase)

Bypassing Voters:
The bills allow negotiated “special payments” with developers that avoid voter referendums, opening the door to backdoor subsidies and reduced accountability.

Hidden State Subsidies:
Despite claims of “no state cost,” some versions exempt construction materials from state and local sales taxes, potentially costing taxpayers hundreds of millions.

Constitutional Concerns:
Creates a two-tier tax system that conflicts with the Illinois Constitution’s Uniformity Clause and equal protection principles by giving preferential treatment to select, politically connected projects.

Worsening Illinois’ Tax Burden:
Illinois already has the highest property taxes in the nation. These bills deepen the problem, shifting more of the load onto homeowners, small businesses, and retirees while rewarding insiders.

Bottom Line:
Frozen taxes for megaproject developers. Higher taxes for everyone else.

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