Dupage County Voters Screwed by Schillerstrom - Again

[Joeychgo]

This REALLY pisses me off.

The sales-tax increase approved by the legislature Thursday will allow DuPage County government to rescind cutbacks and layoffs that had been planned for mid-February in the sheriff's office, courts, state's attorney's office and most other departments, officials said Thursday.

As part of the state's mass-transit funding bill, the sales tax in Cook County and the collar counties will rise a quarter-cent to pay for mass transit in the Chicago area, while collar counties will see another quarter-cent increase in the sales tax, to be used for transportation projects or public safety.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,2434211.story


There was a pending referendum coming up on the Feb 5th Ballot for the voters to approve the sales tax hike. DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom apparantly was able to make a deal with the State people to make this happen.

It really pisses me off because this kind of thing is SUPPOSE to be in the hands of the voters. But, as it was becoming clear they wouldnt get their referendum passed, they did an end run around the voters. We didnt even get a chance to vote on this like we were suppose to.

[WhiteDevil]

Originally Posted by Joeychgo

This REALLY pisses me off.

The sales-tax increase approved by the legislature Thursday will allow DuPage County government to rescind cutbacks and layoffs that had been planned for mid-February in the sheriff's office, courts, state's attorney's office and most other departments, officials said Thursday.

As part of the state's mass-transit funding bill, the sales tax in Cook County and the collar counties will rise a quarter-cent to pay for mass transit in the Chicago area, while collar counties will see another quarter-cent increase in the sales tax, to be used for transportation projects or public safety.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,2434211.story


There was a pending referendum coming up on the Feb 5th Ballot for the voters to approve the sales tax hike. DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom apparantly was able to make a deal with the State people to make this happen.

It really pisses me off because this kind of thing is SUPPOSE to be in the hands of the voters. But, as it was becoming clear they wouldnt get their referendum passed, they did an end run around the voters. We didnt even get a chance to vote on this like we were suppose to.

The sad part is that this is a TYPICAL politician move. Its not called DUE PAID county for no reason.

[Joeychgo]

I know - it just so pisses me off. Its so friggin blatent.

[Arch]

To me, it doesn't matter how they get the money so they don't have to do the cutbacks and layoffs.

[Joeychgo]

They dont have to do the cutbacks - they just have to spend money better.

The county board members have increased their salaries quite a bit, but we dont have money for police? Please.

Look around the county buildings and tell me, do things look like the county is having money troubles? Nope.

Aside from that. They asked the voters to approve the sales tax increases, which is what they are suppose to do. Then they did an end run around us and made it part of the CTA deal. The 2 are completely unrelated. Its BS.

[Arch]

Originally Posted by Joeychgo

They dont have to do the cutbacks - they just have to spend money better.

The county board members have increased their salaries quite a bit, but we dont have money for police? Please.

Look around the county buildings and tell me, do things look like the county is having money troubles? Nope.

Aside from that. They asked the voters to approve the sales tax increases, which is what they are suppose to do. Then they did an end run around us and made it part of the CTA deal. The 2 are completely unrelated. Its BS.

Know this about Govt. They are not going to take a salary dip on the ones making the decisions in order to pay the little guys. They are also not going to cash in on money already spent or approved in a budget to pay the little guys or keep services running for those that need it. So, you play ball and do what is needed to keep them running.

You will not change it from the voting booth unless someone gets in there and changes it internally. Voters don't make them spend more wisely, you have to get someone elected who will produce that change from within the organization..

They can change the tax rate anytime they want to. Uncle sam never asks us if we want to pass tax cuts or tax increases do they? No.. we don't run to the polls for that. You elect people who will slide the scale the way you want it.

[Joeychgo]

Actually, Dupage County is not a home rule county. So a sales tax increase must be approved by the voters... Unless of course you can work a deal with the state to back door the tax, which is what they did.

Oh, and I didnt say they should take a pay cut. Thier salary has doubled in recent years.

[Arch]

I believe the rule is:

In order to establish a tax, voter approval is required. Later, an ordinance or resolution is all that is required to change the rate.

http://www.revenue.state.il.us/Local...ed/1002-8a.pdf

It's usually good to always ask the public first, but I do not believe it's required once the tax has already been established.

[Joeychgo]

Not correct.

Dupage County does not have Home Rule Authority. Therefore, they cannot establish a sales tax or raise a sales tax without voter approval via referendum.

What your reading is a little confusing. But the process is this:

Referendum: If voters approve, then an ordinance or resolution has to be passed by the county board ratifying the tax.

[Arch]

I know DuPage isn't home-rule.

Cite the IL code regarding this... because I read it as 'implementation' (Bringing into being) requires voter approval. Does it already exist and they were just modifying it? If so, I don't believe the voters have a say in it. The referendum way was to earmark the 'doink' EXPLICITLY for what the referendum says. Doinking the sales tax otherwise puts it into the general fund and they can spend it how they want.... again, my understanding of it...

This merely increased the maximum rate.

http://www.revenue.state.il.us/Legal...101-130-pa.pdf

[Joeychgo]

Implementation of a new tax also means an increase of a tax. Your "implementing" an additional quarter cent tax.

Its simple. If your home rule, then just an ordinance is needed. If your non home rule, then a referendum is needed.

I cant dig up a source, but thats how it works. I know this because I have been doing alot to try to get Home Rule passed for Villa Park. If you question, call one of the County board members and ask.

The best source I can give you is this:

Now, DuPage will have plenty of revenue to meet the needs of the offices of the sheriff, state's attorney, courts, probation department and circuit clerk, whose officials have been pleading for more funding for months. It is estimated a quarter-cent tax will bring in $40 million annually.

Thus, there is no need for DuPage voters to approve the Feb. 5 county referendum that would levy a quarter-cent sales tax for public safety agencies, said Bob Schillerstrom, chairman of the DuPage County Board.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/c...TAX_S1.article

There wouldnt be a "need" if my intrepretation was incorrect.

[Arch]

I found this: http://revenue.state.il.us/Publicati...t/PTAX1080.pdf

Page 44 talks about new rate or increased rate w/out a referendum because it's authorized by statute. Is this what happened here?

35ILCS 200/18-190

[Joeychgo]

Yes - Its not what was suppose to happen - but thats what happened