McHenry Times

With a reputation for shaving troublesome taxes garnered via his years as an East Dundee trustee, newly elected Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) filed a pair of petitions on behalf of two county jurisdictions.

“(On Jan. 3) we filed thousands of signatures from both Kane and McHenry county residents that want this referendum to freeze property taxes on the ballot for the April 4, 2017 municipal election,” the representative-elect, who gained the nickname of “tax-cutter” for his work in East Dundee, said.

“Shall each taxing body located partially or wholly within the limits of the county … be required to seek voter approval by referendum prior to increasing its annual total property tax levy?” the referenda for Kane and McHenry counties, respectively, ask.

The petition is framed as a simple yes-or-no question, but its implications reach further than a one-word answer. | File photo

The petition is framed as a simple yes-or-no question, but its implications reach further than a one-word answer as the elected representative begins to make good on his word from the previous year -- with a platform largely based on property tax issues.

“My goal as state representative is to make it harder to hike property taxes on Illinois families,” Skillicorn said after his successful campaign. “I represent both Kane and McHenry counties, and my constituents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.”

Replacing outgoing state Rep. Michael Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) this week, Skillicorn envisioned the transition going more smoothly if he were free to focus on key issues right out of the gate. So -- during the transition period following his election -- Skillicorn decided to cede his East Dundee trustee position early to get a head start on the property tax matters so important to the constituents who elected him.

“Stepping down three weeks early … allows me to focus on a Property Tax Freeze Referendum for both Kane and McHenry counties,” he said in December.

Skillicorn added at the time that he planned to focus attention on gathering as many signatures as possible prior to the Jan. 1 deadline for eligibility to add the question to local ballots in time for April 4 elections. He attended his last official meeting as trustee on Dec. 19 and, following through, succeeded in collecting the requisite number of names to qualify the initiative in time for the consolidated April election. That ensured that the question of freezing countywide property taxes appears on ballots for both his jurisdictions.

Skillicorn also predicted that special interest groups might hinder efforts to create a property tax freeze, previously stating that opponents of the referendum wish to hike property taxes.

“I expect special interests that prefer the status quo to oppose this effort,” Skillicorn said. “I want to make something perfectly clear: the interests that may oppose this referendum want to hike your taxes. Until we reform the way bureaucracy drives up costs, our property tax bills will continue going up every year, forcing working-class families and seniors out of their homes. This is the first step to give that power back where it belongs … to the people. Voters deserve a chance to vote on freezing property taxes.”

As he planned and paced his changeover to representative, Skillicorn spoke highly of his local leadership.

“I’m so thrilled to see all the progress here in East Dundee,” he said, referring to recent accomplishments in the district he served as trustee for the past five years.

Skillicorn complimented East Dundee’s recent retail growth; conveyed optimism about new restaurants and other revenue sources; and commended his colleagues.

“The board I’m leaving has shown so much creativity and discipline,” he said. “I’m confident they will keep serving the community with the same enthusiasm. There also isn’t a week that goes by when I’m not reminded by the voters about the large shoes I must fill at Rep. Mike Tryon’s office.”

During his two-term trusteeship, Skillicorn succeeded in passing 2012’s "Freeze the Levy." The measure stabilized taxes to 2011 levels and lowered the overall burden on East Dundee dwellers.  

Skillicorn lived in Crystal Lake as a young child and grew up in Algonquin. He now lives in East Dundee with his wife, Heather, where they volunteer with a local therapy dog group and animal rescue and belong to Fox Valley Church. Skillicorn works as a marketing director for a Dundee-based electronics manufacturer.

The representative also is vice chairman of the Kane County Republicans and chairman at the Republican Liberty Caucus of Illinois. He previously served as vice chairman at the Kane County Young Republicans.

The 66th Illinois House District comprises Fox River Valley, from Crystal Lake to Elgin.