Taxpayers Fight Home Rule Taxing Powers

By on October 10, 2012   /   Items of Interest, Latest, News Releases, Referenda, Taxpayer Alert  

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View full size flyers below by clicking on municipality
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 Conversely, if the population drops back below 25,000, Home Rule is rescinded unless a referendum to continue is approved by voters.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.”

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Appeal Filed in Illegal Electioneering Suit Against Riverside Brookfield SD208

By on August 9, 2012   /   Latest, Lawsuits, News Releases, Riverside-Brookfield  

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Chicago – Anthony J Peraica & Associates is appealing Judge Leroy K. Martin’s July 17, 2012 ruling to dismiss with prejudice, a lawsuit they filed against Riverside Brookfield School District 208.
The suit, in which Peraica and Taxpayers United of America (TUA) are plaintiffs, charges the school district with illegal electioneering in its failed attempt to pass a property tax increase referendum in the April 5, 2011 election.
“We are filing this appeal to protect the taxpayers from financial abuse by unions and to assert, as a matter of principle, that school unions and administration cannot conspire to expend taxpayer dollars to promote a pro-tax-increase referendum on a taxpayer dime,” stated Peraica. “If the unions and administration want to borrow money or increase taxes, they must spend their own money to do so.”
Tim Sprague of Anthony J Peraica & Associates will assist in the appeal process. Oral arguments will be requested.
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Atty. General Lisa Madigan Continues Fight to Protect Highway Robbery

By on August 8, 2012   /   IL Toll Tax, Latest, Lawsuits, News Releases  

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CHICAGO–Taxpayers United of America (TUA) filed an appeal to Judge Rita M. Novak’s dismissal with prejudice in its suit to repeal the 2012 toll tax increase of 87%.
“Attorney General Lisa Madigan is doing her best to sustain the toll tax increase that is tantamount to highway robbery,” stated Jim Tobin, president of TUA.
“The Illinois toll tax is nothing more than a cash machine that steals money from motorists to fund outrageous salaries for its overstaffed administrative authority. They reach right into your wallet and remove cash every few miles you drive.”
“The law is clear, stated Tobin. “Tollways were supposed to be freeways as soon as the original bonds were paid, and yet Lisa Madigan won’t do her job by upholding the very statutes by which she and the rest of the state are bound.”
“With an attorney general that works for her cronies rather than the people who elected her, there is no oversight, and the Chicago Machine continues to do what it wants, regardless of the laws.”
“TUA will see this suit through the Supreme Court if necessary. Illinoisans are fed up with the attitude of Madigan and her cronies, that we are an endless source of fodder to feed their insatiable hunger for other peoples’ money,” said Tobin.
TUA’s notice of appeal was filed in the Appellate Court on Thursday, August 2, 2012. TUA will make a request for oral arguments.
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