Always a problem. Republicans consistent here:
Madigan’s legislation would authorize the City Council to levy $50 million more during each of five years, starting in 2016, to devote toward city pension costs. By year five, that tax levy would stand at $250 million more than today, but Republicans added up all of the revenue collected during that period and dubbed Emanuel’s handiwork as a $750 million property-tax increase that they wanted no part of.
“A $750 million property tax-increase is the last thing we need in Illinois,” said Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, who voted against Madigan’s legislation in committee. “This is outrageous. This is going to kill jobs. I oppose this tax increase.”
Compounding the no-new-taxes issue, of course, is the distrust that the city will use the extra money for pensions. Give them money, and with their longstanding penchant for meeting immediate needs, why should people think it will go where they say it will go?
Blithe Spirit 