Dupage Policy Journal

First-term Illinois state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) wants everyone to be on the same page and treated the same way when it comes to dealing with the state’s property tax system.

“The current property tax and assessment appeals processes are ripe for abuse because there is an army of property tax appeals lawyers in our state, including House Speaker Mike Madigan, who specialize in obtaining lower assessed values for paying clients,” Mazzochi said in a press release. “This places an unfair and higher tax burden on everyone else.”

As co-chair of the Property Tax Relief Task Force, Mazzochi is intent on leveling the playing field to the point that the growing number of seniors and families now feeling as if they have no choice but to leave Illinois can have more options. Mazzochi stresses that any property tax reform bill must make certain that local schools stay appropriately funded.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago)

“ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) admitted at a recent hearing that for every $100,000 of new income tax dollars Springfield takes from our district, we get a mere $100 back under the state’s school funding formula,” Mazzochi said. “Our district residents have been incredibly generous with their local tax dollars to fund our schools, but when our tax dollars sent to Springfield do not come back in any meaningful way, we deserve more local control.”

Mazzochi argues that part of the problem is the unfunded mandates still flowing in from Springfield.

“Many of these unfunded mandates are just not relevant to our district needs,” she said. “This drives up costs – including property taxes – to no measurable educational benefit.”

A former College of DuPage Board trustee, Mazzochi thinks that part of the solution lies in allowing school districts to chart their own course.

“A one-size-fits-all educational blueprint can’t work statewide and it doesn’t work for our property tax system, given the diverse nature of our local resources and economies,” Mazzochi said.