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
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control offers pet safety tips
Spread the loveParts of Cook County could see up to 12 inches of snow over the next day as a winter storm moves across the area starting tonight. Cold weather creates hazardous conditions for residents and their pets. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control reminds residents to take special precautions to keep…
Winter storm could bring heavy snowfall
Spread the loveParts of Cook County could see up to 12 inches of snow over the next day as a winter storm moves across the area starting tonight. The county’s Department of Transportation and Highways is monitoring conditions and has resources on standby to keep the 1,500 lane miles the county maintains, safe for drivers.…
Polk insists residents should use 9-1-1 when they need help
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva With snowstorms and bad weather hitting the area, first responders and 9-1-1 operators are taxed and stretched out. But Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk said that should not deter people from calling 9-1-1. He insists on it. At the Jan. 24 village council meeting, Polk made a passionate speech…
District 230 waits for judge’s decision on mask mandates
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Stagg and Sandburg students, parents and teachers are awaiting the decision of a Sangamon County judge to find out if there is any change in the mask mandate. District 230 was one of 145 districts in the state taken to court by parents who are against the mandate and believe…
Summit approves deal with CEDA for water assistance
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Help may be on the way for some Summit residents that have trouble paying their water bills. The Summit Village Board recently approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement by, and between the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County. It’s a vendor agreement for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance…
Willow Springs hires Grace as village administrator
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Citing his experience in Lyons, Willow Springs Mayor Melissa Neddermeyer said Ryan Grace was the best of five finalists interviewed for the job of village administrator. Grace, 38, had been public works director in Lyons the past four years, working on a wide range of village issues and events in…
Body of missing Forest View woman found
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The search for 20-year-old Charisma Ehresman of Forest View is over. The body of the young woman was found Friday evening in her vehicle in Chicago’s South Austin neighborhood, on the city’s west side, which borders Oak Park. The car had apparently been there for several days. The Cook County…
Heritage Middle School cheer team takes first
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Congratulations are in order for the Heritage Middle School Cheer Team. The team competed for the first time on Saturday, January 15, at Old Quarry Middle School in Lemont and took first place. It was a huge accomplishment for the team and Summit School District 104 is very proud of…
Area Sports Roundup: Sandburg bowls ’em over at state; Marist cheerleaders win sectional
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Is there a state trophy coming for the Sandburg boys bowling team in the future? With this unpredictable sport, that’s hard to predict. But after a fourth-place finish in the IHSA state tournament, held Jan. 28-29 at St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon, the needle is pointing up. The…
Neighbors
Niego Real Estate salutes America again
Spread the love. Popular flag program underway . By Tim Hadac Clearing and Garfield Ridge residents who want to decorate their blocks in red, white and blue this Independence Day are encouraged to contact Niego Real Estate and reserve a supply of U.S. flags at no charge. The popular program to promote patriotism and community…
Lyons Mental Health Commission pulls LeaderShop funding
Spread the loveExecutive director accused of harassment From staff reports The local nonprofit service community was jolted when nearly $300,000 in mental health funds was withdrawn by a Lyons Township agency from the Western Springs LeaderShop, a social service agency that has provided youth programs for nearly 40 years. The Lyons Township Mental Health Commission…
Mount Carmel, Marist and Oak Lawn among 84 teams at Riverside-Brookfield shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent High school boys basketball does not stop in March and pick back up in late autumn. For many players, playing hoops is a year-round commitment. AAU ball is a big reason for, that there are summer camps, shootouts or other events at most schools during the summer. The…
Dog lovers to celebrate ‘Fur of July’
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I’m starting out with some fun news. The West Lawn Dog Park Advisory Council will be hosting a Fur of July Pet Parade on Saturday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Lawn…
Fourth of July not happy for everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Happy Fourth of July. Cannot believe I am already saying that, time sure goes. Hope it is safe and quiet for everyone and especially all of our house pets. For us its shutting…
St. Rita’s transformation is worth a look
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . St. Rita of Cascia Church, 63rd and Fairfield, continues to undergo its transformation from the sunflowery/harvest golds and browns of the 1960s and 1970s to the calming pastels of the 2000s. Since the basilica-style church…
Loss to Courage brings Red Stars’ winless streak to five games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars historic start to the season is all but forgotten. In the last five matches, the Red Stars have failed to win, with the latest setback being a 3-1 loss on the road to North Carolina on June 23 in an NWSL battle. The Red Stars…
Summer League Basketball | Illinois powers compete at Riverside-Brookfield Shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent School’s out for the summer, but high school athletes across Illinois are remaining active during the summer sports season. This includes basketball players, who can be found at camps, open gyms, camps and even weekend tournaments. Among the more high profile hoops action in the area was the Riverside-Brookfield…
Dana Rettke and Ryan Murphy heading to Paris Summer Games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area fans of the Summer Olympics will have extra reasons to cheer athletes from the United States in the upcoming Paris Games. Dana Rettke of Riverside is a member of the U.S. women’s volleyball team and Palos Heights native Ryan Murphy will represent the country in swimming. Rettke, a…