The Homewood Home Rule Hoodwink

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Chicago – The residents of the Village of Homewood, IL will vote on Home Rule taxing authority on March 20, 2018. Taxpayers United of America (TUA) has joined local residents of Homewood in their fight to remain a non-Home Rule unit.
“It is never a good idea to give up your right to vote on tax increases. It is bureaucratic propaganda that convinces people to ‘trust their government’ to decide what is in the best interest of the taxpayers. That propaganda is exactly what helped take the State of Illinois into insolvency,” stated Jim Tobin, president of TUA.
“Homewood government bureaucrats are special propagandists; they ‘promise’ not to tax residents into oblivion. They pulled out all the stops in protecting taxpayers: they passed ordinances to limit the Home Rule taxing powers. They didn’t bother to tell people that, just as easily as they passed these protections, they can pass their repeal…without voter approval,” added Tobin.
“How valiant of the Village Board to share their Home Rule authorized plunder with the schools, park, and library districts! Schools are already the biggest local drain on taxpayers. And parks and libraries are the biggest waste of tax dollars.”
“About 75% to 80% of local taxes go to fund government employees’ salaries, pensions, and benefits. How much more of our money are we willing to give for bloated salaries and grossly lavish government pensions?”
“Take a look at the salaries and pensions of the Homewood government bureaucrats; the bureaucrats who are asking you to give, and give, and give to their benefit. When do they take the pay cut? Every increase to their wages and benefits is a cut to yours and mine. At some point, we have to say enough,” concluded Tobin.
Click the links below to see the salaries and pensions of the Homewood employees and government teachers:

“What’s Yours is Mine” – Rockford Government

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Chicago – Government bureaucrats are trying to pass a referendum on the March 20 ballot to grant unlimited Home Rue taxing powers to politicians.
“What more do you need to know about Home Rule than you give up your right to vote on future tax increases,” asked Jim Tobin, president of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).
“Home Rule isn’t about autonomy from Springfield, it’s about a complete lack of spending discipline and cost control. As taxes at the state and federal level are cut, Rockford government bureaucrats seek to increase taxes without voter approval in order to make up the difference,” added Tobin.
The City of Rockford commissioned a task force charged with making recommendations on closing the $10.2 million budget gap. The press release announcing the highlights can be read at https://rockfordil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Finance-Task-Force-Presents-Findings-to-Council-Dec-2017.pdf.
“The only cost-cutting the task force could come up with was curbing safety officers’ overtime. Of course, the rest of the budget deficit is suggested to be bridged by tax increases and the adoption of Home Rule to facilitate that”.
“At least the task force was able to identify the primary problem with the Rockford budget: increases in obligated pension costs.”
“Revenue shortfalls and significant increases in obligated pension costs have driven the growth of the budget deficit.”
“Imagine if we ran our businesses like the city of Rockford – We pay ourselves more than we can afford, in both wages and pensions, and then hold people up to cover the payments. That’s exactly what they are trying to do.”
“This task force goes so far as to say that if Home Rule doesn’t pass, they should impose a utility tax…that reveals that they want Home Rule so they can indiscriminately increase taxes. That is what Home Rule does. If their tax increase has merit, then why are they afraid to put it up for a vote?”
“Just look at the pensions that Rockford has authorized for its government employees. If you can’t afford your pension payments then maybe you are paying people too much. And you just might have too many people working for the city!”
Click on the links below to view the top pensions for the City of Rockford:
Click here for a list of top 2017 Rockford Pensions.
“In Illinois, approximately 80% of local taxes go to pay the salaries and pensions of government employees. The Rockford budget for 2018 is for $139 million. That means payroll and pensions cost Rockford taxpayers well over $100 million a year.”
“It’s time for Rockford to cut spending and give taxpayers a break,” concluded Tobin.
“Home Rule gives unlimited taxing power to government bureaucrats. Vote no on March 20th.”