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Newspaper
Southern Illinoisan
Location
Carbondale, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jul 31, 2002
Page
7
A three part series argues tax caps slow property tax growth and improve fairness outside Chicago. It notes caps in some counties require voter approval and highlights Michigan 1994 reforms shifting school funding to a state sales tax to ease homeowner burdens. Illinois near reform in 1997 is urged to finish the job.
Letters criticize rising property taxes and uneven road maintenance in Johnson County. Writers urge tax reform and caps, proposing shift of tax burden to sales or income taxes, and highlight road widening delays amid county surpluses. Residents share personal cases of high house taxes and funding needs.
In Monday’s edition a property tax chart shows Cumberland county up 72 percent, likely in the eastern part. Neoga city taxes rose 13 percent this year, while a 1,700 square foot retirement home faces over 100 percent tax increases. The writer cites misidentified taxpayer savings and calls for term limits and better fiscal management by officials.
City leaders condemn the current downtown condition calling it slumlike and urge revitalization. They note high taxes deter primary homeowners, leaving investors to buy properties for profit with limited beautification or restoration efforts. The call favors owner occupancy over vendor upgrades.
A Mattoon couple allege Coles County reassessed property values based on inflated Omega market prices tied to convicted felons. They claim higher tax hikes, reduced market demand, and costly county expenses hurt legitimate owners, and criticize the assessor for curt, scripted replies.
Becky Spoon from Charleston urges an investigative look at spiraling medical care and health insurance costs. She argues these rising costs drove up business expenses and contributed to the smaller rise in property taxes in the same period, noting September 11 as an additional factor.
Perry County faces a deep fiscal hole as total taxes reach 9.9 million in 2000 while county government nets only 343,000. Growth in EAV and school funding pressures outpace costs, with layoffs, tax anticipation warrants, and a stalled landfill plan shaping a cautious bid to survive. Local leaders blame aging mines, rising benefits costs, and uneven assessments. The reassessment aims to rebalance tax loads and stabilize revenue.
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