Jim Tobin, A Friend Of Liberty (1945-2021)
May 2nd, 2022
By: Christina Tobin
Sometimes a single man or woman has to stand up for principle, just so t[...]
Taxpayers Fight Home Rule Taxing Powers
CHICAGO-“Home Rule” is one of the most financially devastating schemes Illinois politicians have ever come up with, according to Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).
“Home Rule means, literally, Home Rule Unlimited Taxing Power,” said Tobin. “A Home Rule municipality can create just about any tax under the sun, and raise taxes without limit.”
Under the Illinois Constitution, any municipality with a population over 25,000 automatically has Home Rule, until taxpayers repeal their Home Rule by voter initiative. Conversely, if the population drops back below 25,000, Home Rule is rescinded unless a referendum to continue is approved by voters.
“A Home Rule Community can raise property taxes without voter approval,” said Tobin. “It can create new taxes on businesses, services, groceries, gasoline and even parking without voter approval. Local politicians can protect their salaries and lavish, gold-plated pensions, and even increase their own benefits without voter approval.”
“Over the years, we have had great success helping local taxpayer groups defeat Home Rule referenda in municipalities with less than 25,000 persons. On March 20, 2012, we helped defeat all 6 Home Rule referenda. We distributed our ‘Vote No’ flyers in these communities, and the local response was outstanding.”
“There are 9 Home Rule referenda on the November 6, 2012 ballot, and we will help these 9 communities stop the tax-raisers in their tracks.”
Download “Home Rule” flyers below:
“In Mt. Vernon, taxpayers will vote to repeal Home Rule. In Maywood, Westmont, Edwardsville and Homer Glen, where populations fell below 25,000, the greedy politicians have placed referenda on the ballot to continue Home Rule. And in Harrisburg, Elkville, River Forest and Kenilworth, local tax-raising politicians have placed referenda on the ballot to establish Home Rule.”
“Illinoisans are fleeing the state in record numbers to get out from under the ‘tax and spenders’ and these bureaucrats still don’t get it. Instead of shrinking spending to match shrinking populations, they continually look for ways to make up “lost revenue”.
“We will work to give taxpayers another clean-sweep this November, defeating all 9 attempts to establish or continue Home Rule Taxing Powers.”
Love your hypocracy! Criticise one city for misleading language for their referendum but do say anything about the citizen submitted petition in Mt Vernon with its misleading language.