My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. — Thomas Jefferson
Cook County’s property tax system has become so overburdened by exemptions and layers of administration in the past decade that the Chicago-based Civic Federation believes it’s not working like it should.
The non-partisan government research organization on November 20 released a comprehensive examination of the Cook County property tax system, along with recommendations for improvement.
The Civic Federation fully supports the concept of a property tax. But the organization says it’s uncertain whether Cook County’s current system makes the most of the levy on behalf of residents and local government.
For starters, it suggests defining — in simple language — the process by which property taxes are determined. The current process is so onerous and involves three elected county offices — treasurer, county clerk and recorder — that it becomes nearly impossible for a property owner to estimate their annual bills
The process is so complicated, that it took the Civic Federation two years to conduct the research for its report. Merging the multiple offices involved in the property tax process will also help clear the clutter, the Civic Federation said.
The Civic Federation suggests that Cook County officials reduce or limit the number of homestead exemptions, which the group says drained 12.6% of the equalized assessed value from tax roles in 2008. The county currently offers 10 exemptions and the total value of those taken in 2008 were more than double than in 1999.
The organization also strongly advises against replacing property taxes with another form of revenue, such as sales taxes, to subsidize public education. Given the state of Illinois’ precarious budget situation — with a deficit of around $14 billion — and its delinquency in dispersing state funds, the Civic Federation warns against adding to the list of transferred funds. For instance, the state owed its school districts a total of $1.19 billion as of Nov. 9, the report said.
What do you think the chances are that these recommendations will be “seriously” considered?
The Democratic Chicago/Cook County cabal listens to no one. When will the people of Chicago and Cook County realize there IS another party out there?
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