Republican state Rep. Dan Caulkins of Decatur argues that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s own actions prove that even he thinks Illinois property taxes are too high.
“Think about it, you’ve got a guy worth over $3 billion scheming to save on property taxes for his mansion,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “You have to think he wouldn’t have done this otherwise.”
WBEZ Radio reports the governor and his wife are now under federal investigation amid claims the couple ordered workers to remove all the toilets from a Gold Coast mansion they own as a way of saving on their tax bill. After the home was declared “uninhabitable,” its assessed market value dropped by more than $5 million, saving the couple in the neighborhood of $330,000 in property taxes and prompting Cook County Inspector General Paul Blanchard to blast the governor’s actions as a “scheme to defraud.”
State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur)
“We knew about this a year ago and Democrats wanted to ignore it,” Caulkins said. “It speaks to the governor’s character that he would knowingly participate in something like that. I think it’s a very unseemly thing to do and further makes Illinois the laughingstock of the country.”
Caulkins said it remains to be seen how such a cloud hanging over his head will come to impact the way Pritzker can govern.
“I think it will depend on what happens with the case going forward,” he said. “It’s already been a huge distraction for what he’s trying to do and it definitely takes away from his authority.”
Through his attorney, Marc Elias, a partner with the law firm of Perkins Coie, Pritzker continues to insist he’s done nothing wrong and that he and his wife have not spoken with any investigators.
Caulkins’ 101st House District includes parts of Champaign, DeWitt, Macon, McLean and Piatt counties.
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