Dupage Policy Journal

Mary Jo Mullen sees her opposition to proposed property tax freeze legislation as a stance for the way of life in Lisle Township.

“Township governments run lean and responsibly and do not require a mandate to minimize tax burdens on our residents,” Mullen, Lisle Township's supervisor, told the DuPage Policy Journal. “The reality is there are times when a nominal increase is needed to support programs and increased need in the services that townships provide. Other times, townships responsibly lower taxes. Lisle Township has not levied for the General Assistance program for two years because there were adequate reserves to cover expenses. Now, we have the need to levy once again otherwise risk the important program to residents suffering financial hardships.”

In its current, House-amended form, Senate Bill 851 would establish a two-year property tax freeze for Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will counties. Passage of the bill would mandate that those counties are only allowed to increase property taxes with voter approval.

Under the proposal, all other counties would be subject to referendums asking whether a property tax freeze should be imposed for 2018 and 2019 or that all governments within a county jurisdiction be subject to a property tax freeze over that period and to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for levy year 2020 and the foreseeable future.

Regarding the proposal, Bryan Smith, executive director of the Township Officials of Illinois, had sent a legislative alert to township officials asking them to urge their state lawmakers to oppose the measure.

The legislation was not brought up for a vote in the Senate before the veto session ended.

“Township governments are specifically enabled to only provide services that do not duplicate those of other government entities,” Mullen said. “Townships have limited authority under (Illinois) State Code, and those authorities require a local presence, knowledge and understanding of the residents and geography.”

Mullen said it’s also important that voters understand the role that townships play so that they’re fully aware of all the essential services they provide and how little of their tax dollars are earmarked for them.

“These services can impact the local economy in that we contract locally for some of our services,” she said. “Those in need may continue to become less financially stable without adequate services, resulting in increased economic impact.”