Ray Hanania
Pritzker won, now you’ll pay
By Ray Hanania
If you listened to Gov. JB Pritzker’s campaign rhetoric, you would think Illinois was well on its way to economic recovery.
Pritzker threw a few hundred dollars at us in state tax money, spent hundreds of millions on himself and to help Darren Bailey win the GOP primary last June. Then he announced tax moratoriums he said would help us poor fools, including on the gasoline tax, all before the Nov. 8 general election.
Daddy Warbucks got what he wanted, his re-election. For the rest of us, the fools who were gaslit by the exaggerated campaign rhetoric — the taxpayers — we are left with the reality. If you voted for him, you deserve it and can’t complain. Just get out your checkbooks, or more likely your credit cards with the increasing debts, and start paying more.
Because that is your future.
Pritzker pushed through what he called a $1.8 billion tax relief plan, which gave an average of $450 to the typical Illinois family.
Basically, it was a bribe to voters.
You won’t get more “tax relief” and the $450 most Illinoisans received won’t even come close to off-setting the skyrocketing inflation and the return of all those taxes he temporarily suspended.
Pritzker’s 2022 budget suspends the tax on groceries for one year, saving consumers an estimated $400 million, freezes the motor fuel tax for six months, saves consumers an estimated $70 million and doubles the property tax rebate, saving up to $300 per household, the governor bragged ad nauseum in his press releases and campaign yapping. Yet, at the same time, it raises $650 million in new taxes.
But Pritzker also hiked the gasoline tax, delaying its collection until next year — after the election. He passed a bill suspending the state gas tax for six months, once again to help him get through the Nov. 8 election. Pritzker ordered gas stations to promote the suspension on all gas pumps. Of course, he said nothing about the massive increase that slams motorists when the suspension ends and the hike in gasoline taxes starts on New Year’s Day.
Delaying a tax hike is not the same as cutting taxes. In fact, it’s worse when you wrap it in a tax hike.
Not so widely expressed is that the gas tax will continue to increase every year, starting in 2023.
There’s also a fog around the Worker’s Rights Amendment (Amendment 1, a right to collective bargaining measure), which described as a drive to help union workers. It passed on Nov. 8, but critics contend that it will likely hike property taxes as much as $2,149 a year for most Illinois residents over the next four years.
The property tax increases, to support the higher wages under the Amendment, will begin slow at $207 next year, but will increase $422 in 2024, $645 in 2025 and $876 in 2026, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.
Through his special interest PACs, Pritzker argues the Amendment “does not guarantee a property tax hike.” Giving unions better contracts will require funding to come from someplace.
It’s a rhetorical subtlety that is important here. It won’t “guarantee” a tax hike, but that’s not the same as saying property taxes will not be increased to fund it.
The decision is up to Pritzker, who doesn’t care whether you get mad now, after the election. He got what he wants.
Illinois is financially unstable, in comparison to other states, and one of the most important direct revenue sources is property taxes. Illinois is the second worst state when it comes to property taxes, according to the Civic Federation.
Oh, and your property taxes in Cook County will be increasing, too, and are reflected in the tax bills that were finally released this week, after the election.
THE POLITICAL GRAPEVINE: If you want to stop Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s failed policies, you have only a few real choices in next year’s elections on Feb. 28. They are Dr. Willie Wilson and Paul Vallas. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García, who is on his way to setting a record for running for the most offices in Illinois, is basically a Lightfoot clone. In fact, some people believe García is there to help Lightfoot siphon votes away from her harshest critics.
You have to give praise to 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez, who decided to withdraw from the mayor election and put the city’s interests first before his own political interests, not a García-like thing to do. Lopez’ voice in the City Council is badly needed, and if Vallas or Wilson unseat Lightfoot, he would become a major City Council leader.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
Area Sports Roundup: Marist leads way with 11 wrestlers heading to state
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer An army of area wrestlers is headed to the state tournament, with 49 set to hit the mat in Champaign. During sectional action on Feb. 12, area wrestlers feasted on opponents. Marist will send 11 to the tournament, which begins Thursday at State Farm Center on the University…
Paczki Day ahead, not behind
Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 If you read my column online last week, you might remember my reference to Paczki Day. I thought it took place on Feb. 9. I was shopping at a Jewel outside our neighborhood around that date, and I asked…
Man charged in string of armed robberies in Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Hickory Hills
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong A Chicago man has been charged in a string of armed robberies that took place in Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Hickory Hills and other communities. He was charged February 2 for the December 28 robbery of the Shell station at 12121 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights. Palos Heights police…
Campaign 2020: Civil Rights attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch to seek judgeship
Spread the loveBy Ray Hanania Civil Rights attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch has announced her candidacy for one of two vacancies for judge in Cook County’s 4th Subcircuit in the June 28 primary election. Raines-Welch specializes in legal work for municipal governments, including cities, school districts, park districts and other local taxpayer-funded public bodies at an established…
Campaign 2020: 11 elected officials endorse Newman in primary
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Marie Newman’s bid to win the Democratic nomination in the new 6th Congressional District picked up steam Tuesday when 11 elected officials in Cook and DuPage counties announced they were endorsing her in the June primary over fellow incumbent Sean Casten. “Congresswoman Marie Newman has been a very strong and effective…
Owner dispels rumors of Royalberry closing
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Frank Salman, owner of Royalberry Waffle House and Restaurant in Palos Heights, has a simple message: “We’re not closed!” Salman said rumors have been rampant in the area that his restaurant of 17 years suddenly closed at the corner of 127th Street and Ridgeland Avenue. “We are not closed. We are…
Things were poppin’ at Valentine’s event
Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 Last Saturday I stopped in at the Valentine Small Business Pop-Up at Monarca, on the northwest corner of 63rd and Spaulding. I really enjoy these events. I always walk out spending more than I planned, this…
The next correspondent could be you
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac GSWNH Columnist At-Large This week, it’s my privilege and pleasure to write the Greater Southwest News-Herald’s column for Greater Ashburn (the Wrightwood, Ashburn, Parkview and Scottsdale neighborhoods). Greater Ashburn has not had a correspondent in this newspaper since Carolina Franco stepped away from writing this column back in late 2019. Anyway,…
$900,000 Lotto ticket sold at Palos Heights 7-Eleven
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Local Lucky Day Lotto players best check their tickets for last Sunday’s mid-day drawing. A winning ticket worth $900,000 was sold at the Palos Heights 7-Eleven store. The winning ticket was sold at the store at 6350 W. 135th St., and matched all five numbers in Sunday mid-day’s drawing: 11-13-24-30-37.…
Bridgeview inks deal to promote village events, tourism
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Bridgeview is again partnering with the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau to market and promote tourism in the village. The village board, by a 6-0 vote at its Jan. 19 meeting, approved the resolution. Per the resolution, the bureau will “help market and promote the region for conventions, meetings,…
Neighbors
Mother Mac unveils new lights and scoreboard
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Across the nation, women’s sports are on the rise in terms of viewership, enthusiasm, sponsorship and excitement. Mother McAuley is no stranger to the impact that women’s athletics has on the development of an individual, strengthening of a team and key skills and attributes developed along the way. South Side…
Cicadas in the park in Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Cicadas are coming and the Village of Palos Park is ready. The village hosted its 31st annual Arbor Day Celebration on Sunday, May 5, themed, “The Wonder of Trees” at The Center in the Lodge, 12700 Southwest Highway, with featured speaker, Tricia Bethke of The Morton Arboretum who presented, “Cicadas…
Palos Heights SD 128 sees enrollment boom
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Over the past few years, Palos Heights School District 128 has experienced an explosive growth among incoming students. There has been a significant increase particularly at Indian Hill Early Learning Center, 12800 S. Austin Ave. Chippewa Elementary School, 12425 S. Austin Ave; Navajo Elementary School, 12401 S. Oak Park Ave;…
Comings & Goings: Orange’s Pancake House now open in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Palos Heights is the home of a popular new breakfast café. Orange’s Pancake House, 11845 Southwest Highway, held a ribbon-cutting event on April 18. Owners, Elvia Briones, of Virgina, and Fernando Cruz, of Evergreen Park, said they were very excited to be in the heart of the Palos Heights community.…
Sisters make Chicago Lawn a world destination
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Earlier this month was the Fifth Lithuanian Documentary Film Festival, with distinguished guests from Lithuania and other parts of the United States visiting the neighborhood. They held a photo session in the editorial office of…
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone, everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Yet another Mother’s Day is upon us. I wish everyone a happy day. By everyone I do mean everyone. There are a lot of dads who do it alone, along with important mother…
Mother’s Day is truly a day to be celebrated
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Mother’s Day happens on Sunday, May 12. If this isn’t something to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Motherhood means new life, new beginnings, new possibilities. Even if you won’t be seeing your mom, you can still…
Saint Xavier men’s volleyball finishes historic season in nation’s top 4
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier men’s volleyball team made history by advancing to the semifinals of the NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship. But the Cougars fell to eventual national champion Georgetown (Kentucky), 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10, on May 3 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although there was…