Tired of High Property Taxes? - Who to Vote For This Election

Maybe you've already made up your mind on the Presidential election. Maybe your a life-long Democrat who believes in his/her's party's presidential candidate. I have a few of those as friends and neighbors and yet we still get along (probably because we don't choose to talk politics during our gatherings).

Yet, many times over a nice cocktail, I will hear complaints about the rise in local property taxes, or the state income tax increase that was passed just after the 2010 election. I will normally listen passively, not wanting to ruin the evening by reminding my friends that the people who normally support tax increases are Democrats and those who oppose them are Republicans. I will just sit there passively, nod my head and ask for more peanuts or another beer.

But now its election time and people need to understand who is behind the things they complain about. Take some of our local candidates for example - the people who have a direct bearing on how high your taxes will be - the ones who actually vote or affect the local tax levy, which directly calculates out to how much you pay for your property taxes.

Let's look first at Cory Singer, running for County Executive. Cory is President of the Will County Forest Preserve District. Back when the recession first hit, Cory could have kept everything on auto pilot and raked in the cash through an increased tax levy and made the Forest Preserve District employees happy by raising their salaries. Instead, Cory recognized what was going on: there was a recession, property values were going down, people were out of work and losing their homes. Should the people who directly depend on these taxes ride along with no impact, or should they, like the rest of the community they serve, have to tighten their belt? Cory chose the latter case and acted by not allowing any salary increases during the recession. His opponent Mr. Lawrence Walsh, is infamous for saying he wanted to tax Will County Residents "to the max." Mr. Walsh's approach is to seek ways to raise your taxes, despite your struggles and he will keep on doing so if he is reelected. Cory has the proven track record when it comes to making choices between what is best for taxpayers versus government employees.  Taxpayers will be the winners under Cory Singer.

Next let's consider Chuck Lyons, running for Will County Coroner. Chuck often jokes that he is the "last person anyone wants to talk to" but he is very serious about his sought after job. Chuck believes that the job of Coroner is an extremely important one and that the people he serves are those who have no voice to speak for themselves. Looking at the mess his opponent made of the Drew Peterson trial - where his opponent, Patrick O'Neil, declared the death of Peterson's second wife "accidental" - one can begin to see his point. The Coroner's job is to make sure that the dead get a fair shake. If the Coroner cannot do the job, he/she is accountable to the public by virtue of the ballot box. Although the Coroner doesn't have much say in his yearly budget, Chuck's opponent apparently thinks paying Lawrence Walsh's sister $90K a year as his secretary is a good use of County funds. Its time to show Mr. O'Neil the door.

Marlene Carlson, running for the mundane office of Circuit Clerk actually has some fresh ideas to modernize this office and have it better serve the taxpayers of Will County. Say you have some business with the court downtown. Today, you would have to take the time to drive from your home to the Will County Circuit Clerk's office to pay your court fees, etc. Not only do you owe money, but you have to pay it during regular business hours, potentially costing you double in lost employment pay. Under Marlene's plan, you would be able to pay for your court fees online from the comfort of your home. Plus the costs of her office would either not grow or would grow slowly over time, since less staff would be needed to process payments. Marlene's opponent, Ms. McGuire, wants to keep things as they are. Presumably to pay for all of her family members and campaign contributors presently working for her in the clerk's office. Between her and Mr. Walsh above, the tab for taxpayers comes to a whopping $750,000 per year for Will County taxpayers. Time to rethink Ms. McGuire.

Laurie McPhillips is a real estate professional and small business owner who started much needed reforms during her first term in office. First elected in 2004, Laurie began a series of modernization efforts to ensure that previous problems in the office such as lost or incomplete property transaction records, and lost proof of complete mortgage repayment records were eliminated. Imagine paying your mortgage for 30 years, only to find that the Recorder of Deeds had lost your proof of final payment. Something that occasionally took place. Laurie implemented a state-of-the-art land records system and she reduced expenses by voluntarily cutting personnel costs. She also opened the first satellite office in Bolingbrook to better serve Will County taxpayers. The current incumbent stopped her reforms while taking credit for what she started. Keeping an accurate accounting of who owns what property and how much that property is sold for is key to maintaining a fair and equitable property tax system in our County. Laurie will ensure that the reforms she started will be completed if she is elected. Additionally, Laurie has been endorsed by the public employees who work in the Recorder of Deeds office, despite their current employment under her opponent Karen Stukel.

Please consider Margo McDermed and Tom Weigel both running for Will County Board in the 12th District. Margo represents a strong, conservative voice for common sense in county government. Margo is an attorney who oversaw the legal department in BP Amoco's world headquarters, supervising a staff of over 30 employees. Margo's corporate experience plus her austere approach to government finance is needed on the County Board to ensure that our taxes aren't raised. Her Democrat opponents have it in with the Cook County Democrats who would like nothing better than to have a chance to transfer our tax dollars to Cook County to prop up failed Democrat programs. In Cook County each household is $32,000 in debt. In Will County, each household is $12 in debt. You do the math. Tom Weigel has been a County Board member for 8 years and advocated the new Silver Cross Hospital construction, a gem for Will County Residents. Tom is fiscally conservative and represents another vote on the County Board against the redistributive policies favored by Cook County Democrats and their allies in Will County.

Edgar Montalvo, running for State Senator from the 19th District, represents hard work, selflessness and an infinite sense of community service. Edgar served two tours and three years in Iraq rebuilding that torn nation and he wants to use his skills to "rebuild Illinois."  Edgar has a wealth of experience in finance and management and is a small business owner. Edgar will vote to change the disincentives that Illinois erects to chase away or discourage business from settling in Illinois. Edgar will vote to repeal the 67% tax increase passed in 2010 and obsolete worker compensation laws. Edgar wants to eliminate the current fraud and abuse in the state pension system.  Unlike his opponent, who is in the pocket of the teachers unions and is opposed to teacher performance measures, merit pay and charter schools; Edgar believes in school reform, real pension reform and in all cases, keeping taxes low and expectations high.  Probably highest on the list of reasons to vote for Edgar is his history as a taxpayer. Edgar has lived in the 19th Senate District for over 20 years and has dutifully paid his property taxes. He knows how much of a burden property taxes can be on a family's finances. His opponent does not own a home and as a sitting member of the Sandburg High School District Board, has shown his true colors. Instead of being responsible, he opted to extend his high school glory days as a football player by voting to spend $3M on artificial turf for Sandburg's football fields. This despite his district having one of the highest pension liabilities in the state.

Folks, if we want to keep our taxes low we have to elect fiscally responsible people to represent us. The people I have presented above all want to increase the efficiencies of the services they will provide or will work to prevent reckless spending by County and State governments. It is up to you to decide if you want more of the same in the form of high taxes for questionable results; or lower or at least stable taxes and improved services. If you vote for the people listed above, it will be a good start.

Why Vote Republican This Fall In Obama's Home State?

As I've walked around the precinct this election season gathering signatures for Edgar Montalvo, our state senate hopeful, or knocking on doors to place yard signs, I've heard several comments to the effect of: My vote doesn't count anyway because Obama has the state wrapped up, so why vote?

The answer is simple. If we are going to stop the corruption, the dirty deals, the "pay to play" politics, the excessive taxation and crushing debt in this state we will have to put honest, fiscally conservative, small government Republicans in office at all levels of government.

Let's look at what has transpired over the past past decade with Democrats in control of the Governorship and both State Houses:

The cost of and spending by state government has increased while the population has decreased. As you know, we have all seen our state income taxes go up and have heard about the State's financial woes while neighboring states have fixed their fiscal problems. Census data from the 2010 census, show that Cook county and the City of Chicago have seen an extensive loss of population. In fact, the loss has been so great that only New Orleans after Katrina has seen greater losses than Cook County and Chicago. We didn't experience a Katrina in Illinois, so what happened?

What happened was a continuation of the failed policies established by one party Democrat rule at the State, Cook County and Chicago levels. Think about what you've read and heard over the past decade. Whenever there is a shortage of revenue in Chicago or Cook County, what is the first thing that the Cook County President, Mayor of Chicago or State Democrat leadership call for? A tax increase! Do they ever say they want to find places to make cuts in their budgets? Never.

Cook County Democrats look with disdain at business owners, the real drivers of revenue and prosperity, and consider them to be "the rich." Business owners employ people, people who work, contribute to the economy and pay taxes. Because Democrats favor government solutions over private ones, they think that taxing and regulating business owners is the answer to issues such as unemployment and the lack of funding for state services. As a result of this hostile climate, business owners then leave the city, county and state and take their payroll and tax revenue with them.  

Despite the 2010 election results, the Democrats were able to redistrict the state as they saw fit. The result? Despite a breathtaking loss of population in their former strongholds, they maintained enough power to extend their Federal and State legislator's districts out into Will County. That is why we have Congressman Bobby Rush as our current representative in Congress. Now this election gives us a choice between Rush, who doesn't represent our interests and who doesn't attend half of the legislative sessions he's supposed to, and Don Peloquin, who is a small business owner who refuses to be chased out by Rush's policies. The redistricting also affected our local state legislative districts. We still have Renee Kosel as our State Representative but we lost Christine Radogno as our State Senator. We now have a choice to make between a small business owner who pays taxes in the form of Edgar Montalvo, and a new member of the Cook County Democrat apparatchik who lives with his parents outside the district he is supposed to represent.

The current state economy shows what is in store for Will County if we cannot keep the Democrats out. Because Democrats had substantial majorities in the State Houses they got to redraw the maps. After chasing businesses and people out of their districts, they now need to come after us in Will County for the revenue. Cook County politicians view Will County as a big healthy dog and they are the tick. They intend to suck us dry of our taxes to continue to fund their failed policies and programs.

Examples include: The RTA sales tax. This is a prime example of Democrat desires to redistribute wealth back to Cook County and the City of Chicago. We in Will County send .75% of our sales tax revenue to the RTA, which is controlled by City Democrats. We receive little in the way of any extra services. In fact, most of the money is taken by the RTA to pay for the pensions of CTA and Cook County RTA workers. An example of payoff for political support by their union over the years.

Here are some facts for you to think about as you decide who to vote for in this coming election:

Will County, currently controlled mostly by fiscally conservative Republicans, has a per capita debt of $3 for every person residing in Will County. Cook County households face a staggering debt of over $32,000 per household or $8,000 per capita assuming families of four.

According to both Edgar Montalvo and Don Peloquin, there are enough Republican and independent voters in the 1st Congressional District and in the 19th Senate District to elect Don Peloquin and Edgar Montalvo. But these voters need to turn out.

So is there a reason to vote in this election even if Obama is likely to win the state? If you want to keep the quality of life you enjoy here in Will County you need to get out and vote for Republicans this cycle. If you don't and Democrats take over control of Will County, you will see your taxes go up and your quality of life go down as more and more people and businesses are chased out. This is a future that one shudders to even think about.

Early Voting Roundup - The Best Candidates To Vote For

Early voting opportunities begin Monday October 22nd and stretch until November 3rd. Election Day is Tuesday November 6th. With those dates in mind we are making available our recommended candidate selections for voters in the 13th Precinct. Hopefully this guide will help ensure that 13th Precinct voters are well informed when they choose to vote.

This guide can be printed out and taken with you to the voting booth. However, you may not show it to others when inside the polling place or within the 100 foot boundary from the entrance to the polling place.

Below are our recommendations and endorsements for the upcoming election:

 

President of the United States (Vote for One)

☐   Mitt Romney (R)

Successful businessman, turnaround pro. Saved the Olympics. Has a wealth of executive experience. Will repeal Obamacare.

☐   Barack Obama (D)

Incumbent with >3.5 years of 8%+ unemployment, increased debt by $5 trillion+. No plan to balance the budget or any plan for that matter.

☐   Gary Johnson

The Libertarian candidate. A vote for Johnson is a vote for Obama.

☐   Jill Stein

Green Party - Marxism colored green.

U.S. House of Representatives – District 1 (Vote for One)

☐   Donald E. Peloquin (R)

Don Peloquin is a small business owner and the mayor of Blue Island. As Blue Island mayor, Don has successfully worked with local, state, and federal governments to benefit the South Suburbs. Mokena Mayor Joe Warner has endorsed Don. Don believes in Congressional term limits and vows to not run more than two terms. Don is endorsed by the Chicago Tribune.

☐   Bobby L. Rush (D)

Former defense minister of the Black Panthers street gang. Fails to attend over half of Congressional sessions.

Illinois State Senate - District 19 (Vote for One)

☐     Edgar Montalvo (R)

Edgar Montalvo is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and an Iraq War veteran having served three years there. Edgar has a wealth of experience in finance and management and is a small business owner. Edgar will vote to change the disincentives that Illinois erects to chase away or discourage business from settling in Illinois. Edgar will vote to repeal the 67% tax increase passed in 2010 and obsolete worker compensation laws. Edgar wants to eliminate the current fraud and abuse in the state pension system. Edgar will put limits on pension system double dippers. Edgar is endorsed by the Chicago Tribune.

☐   Michael E. Hastings (D)

Son of $200K/year “triple dipping” Cook County Democrat. Called his opponent a “weekend warrior” despite his opponent’s three years in Iraq. He is against charter schools and other proven ideas to improve education.

Chief Executive Officer (Vote for One)

☐      Cory Singer (R)

Frankfort Township’s own Cory Singer represents a sensible voice for local government spending restraint during hard economic times. As President of the Forest Preserve District and Will County Board member, Cory stood against the big spenders and those in county politics who favor Chicago and Cook County over their own community. Cory will be a strong voice for Will County, protecting our interests and our hard-earned tax dollars from corrupt Cook County and State politicians, while promoting our county to attract new business.  Cory will NOT raise county taxes.

☐   Lawrence M. "Larry" Walsh (D)

Stood by while Jesse Jackson Jr. tried to cheat Will County taxpayers over Peotone Airport. Silently allowed Cook County Dems to impose CTA tax on Will County residents. Wants to “tax to the max” Will County residents. His own home town is poised to vote against him.

State's Attorney (Vote for One)

☐      Dave Carlson (R)

Endorsed by Joliet, Will County and Bolingbrook police. Wants to tackle heroin epidemic and domestic abuse problems.

☐   James W. Glasgow (D)

 Dismisses 60% of domestic abuse cases despite tough rhetoric. Not endorsed by a single Will County police department.

Coroner (Vote For One)

☐      Charles Lyons (R)

Wants to minimize administrative staff and increase deputy training. Believes in office holder’s integrity and small government.

☐   Patrick K. O'Neil (D)

Employs the County Executive’s sister as his secretary for $90K/year. Determined Drew Peterson’s wife’s death “accidental.”

 

Circuit Clerk (Vote for One)

☐     Marlene Carlson (R)

Marlene Carlson is a former resident of the 13^th Precinct and a 20-year IT professional. Marlene will use her experience to modernize the Clerk’s office using the power of the Internet. Her goal is to reduce cost and increase customer service. Marlene opposes the nepotism and partisanship of the current incumbent.

☐   Pamela J. "Pam" McGuire (D)

Partisan Democrat. In office to serve herself and provide her family and friends with government jobs.

Recorder of Deeds (Vote for One)

☐     Laurie McPhillips (R)

Small business owner, former Recorder of Deeds who lost reelection in the 2008 Obama wave. Wants to resume her modernization efforts. Endorsed by the Recorder of Deeds employees union.

☐   Karen A. Stukel (D)

Refused to respond to Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald questionnaires.

County Auditor (Vote for One)

☐     Mark Batinick (R)

Wants to incentivize small businesses to settle in Will County. Wants to reform township governments to eliminate nepotism.

☐   Duffy Blackburn (D)

Violated campaign disclosure laws.

Board Member District 12 (Vote for Two)

☐     Margo McDermed (R)

Mokena’s own Margo McDermed represents a strong, conservative female voice for common sense in county government. Margo will oppose all tax and user fee increases, will balance the budget and welcome business back to Will County. Mokena Mayor Joe Warner endorses Margo.

☐     Tom Weigel (R)

Tom Weigel is a veteran and has been a County Board member for 8 years and advocated the new Silver Cross Hospital construction. Tom chairs the County Board’s Land Use and Development Committee. Mokena Mayor Joe Warner endorses Tom.

☐   Santino Lettieri (D)

Finished last in contested race for village trustees 

☐   John J. Sanchez, Jr. (D)

Self-Described  “Luddite” (a person opposed to increased industrialization or new technology)

Third Judicial District Appellate Judge (Retention)

NO for Tom M. Lytton

Partisan politics influence his decisions

YES for Daniel L. Schmidt

Judge Schmidt is a conservative jurist who believes in not legislating from the bench. He should be retained.

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Judge (Retention)

YES for Daniel J. Rozak

Judge Rozak is a no-nonsense judge who is tough on criminals. He should be retained.

Proposed Amendment to the 1970 Illinois Constitution

☐ YES

Will require a 3/5ths majority vote to increase any State employee pension benefits. Will make it harder to impose excessive government pensions.

☐ No

Will leave things as they are