Dan Caulkins views talk of another statewide property tax as just the latest example of what makes Illinois so undesirable to many of its now former residents.
“It’s just another tax-and-spend money grab; the kind that has people leaving the state in droves,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun of the special state property assessment tax proposed as a way for the state to pay down its spiraling pension liability.
According to Wirepoints, people in the financial sector have proposed the idea of levying a tax estimated to be about 1 percent of actual property value annually for 30 years.
Dan Caulkins
“I understand they feel they need money, but to come up with something so absolutely asinine is mindboggling,” added Caulkins, a Decatur Republican running against Democrat Jennifer McMillin for the seat being vacated by Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth) in the 101st District. “Why should we take the word of the same group of career politicians that have spent this state into the ground and are now back looking for more?”
Currently, property taxes across Illinois stand at an average of 2.67 percent, the highest levels in the nation. In a working-class community in south Cook County, the average is nearly double that at over 5 percent.
“I hear from people all the time that tell me that property taxes are a major problem for them,” Caulkins added. “I hear from people that are very concerned about what these outlandish taxes have done to the state and property values. They can no longer stay in their homes, and they’re openly talking about being somewhere other than Illinois.”
Caulkins said he stands in full support of the resolution recently introduced by Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) opposing any new statewide property tax.
“That lawmakers keep raising taxes says to me that they don’t feel threatened enough by voters in these gerrymandered districts," Caulkins said. “They keep giving things away using other peoples’ money and still getting re-elected. People aren’t leaving Illinois because it’s prosperous.”
The 101st House District includes parts of Champaign, McLean, Dewitt, Macon and Piatt counties.
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