McHenry Times

Allen Skillicorn, the Republican nominee in state House District 66, wants district residents to be aware of the different ways the state is taxing them and that there are ways they can fight these excessive taxes.

Residents need to be aware of their abilities to appeal certain taxes, and voters need to elect better officials who truly care about their constituents.

“Dundee and Rutland area property tax assessments were recently published in the newspaper, as required by law,” Skillicorn recently told the McHenry Times. “There is only a 30-day window every year to appeal your property assessment. Once this deadline is passed, the next opportunity will not be until next year. The deadline to appeal your 2017 assessment is Aug. 8.”

Skillicorn said property assessments determine how much of the property tax levy one pays. Local governing bodies, like schools, villages and park districts, request the taxes and each person’s property assessment determines how large a share each pays.

“I’ve been working for five years to lower property tax levies that governing bodies charge us,” Skillicorn said. “Increased assessments and higher levies will increase your property tax bill.”

Skillicorn offers some advice for those who may suspect they are overassessed.

“Taxpayers who believe their properties are overassessed should first contact their township assessor, who developed the assessed valuation,” Skillicorn said. “If not satisfied after addressing the issue with the township assessor, taxpayers may file an assessment complaint with the Kane County Board of Review. But the deadline is Aug. 8, 2016. No complaint for property in this township can be accepted after that date.”

Skillicorn said that he met a small business owner whose property taxes are $1,000 per month and have almost doubled in the last few years. He blames much of this excessive taxing on the corruption of current politicians.

“We cannot send another (House Speaker Michael) Madigan minion to Springfield,” Skillicorn said. “Want to diminish the power of Speaker Mike Madigan in Illinois? Then send a fighter to stand up to him and the Chicago politicians that empower him. I pledge not be (Madigan’s) 72nd minion in Springfield.”

Skillicorn also argues that pensions, Medicaid and unfunded mandates eat up the majority of people’s taxes.

“This year pensions alone are 25 percent of the budget, and are growing faster than revenue and other expense,” Skillicorn said.

There is only so much money to go around, Skillicorn said, so if pensions are getting a considerable share, other necessary services are underfunded.

“Every dollar Illinois spends on pensions is a dollar we can't spend on services or infrastructure,” Skillicorn said. “How about fewer excuses and more action on reforming the system?”

Skillicorn said that with regards to legislative pensions, there are better ways to fund retirement. He also intends to practice what he preaches.

“On day one, I will refuse my legislative pension and file a bill to eliminate all legislative pensions going forward,” Skillicorn said. “I will also co-sponsor Rep. Tom Morrison's constitution amendment to transition the current system into a 21st century, 401(k)-type system.”