Government

Kendall County Tax Revolt Group Submits Referendum Petitions

Unless someone files a successful objection, a non-binding referendum will be on the November ballot asking local taxing bodies to reduce their levies by 20 percent.

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Leaders of the Kendall County Property Tax Revolt pose Monday morning (Aug. 6, 2012) before submitting a petition to put a referendum on the November ballot urging local governments to reduce tax levies by 20 percent.

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Leaders of the Kendall County Property Tax Revolt pose Monday morning (Aug. 6, 2012) before submitting a petition to put a referendum on the November ballot urging local governments to reduce tax levies by 20 percent.

Credit Jillian Duchnowski

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Within three weeks, a grassroots effort against high local property taxes collected 2,891 signatures to place a non-binding referendum on the November ballot.

The Kendall County Tax Revolt group, led by local activists Mark Johnson, Judie Burks, Jan Alexander and Greg O’Neil, wants to ask voters whether every levy of every governing body in Kendall County should be reduced by 20 percent. They needed about 2,500 signatures to get the question on the ballot, and submitted more than that Monday morning.

"Everyone we've talked to said, 'Thank you so much for doing this,'" said Burks.

Johnson also has been blogging on Patch about their work.

The four organizers wore matching black T-shirts stating "for the people, not from the people," as they submitted the 239 pages of signatures Monday at the Kendall County Office Building. People can challenge the petition through Aug. 13; if no successful challenges are filed, the question will appear on the November ballot.

No matter what the outcome of the referendum, local governing bodies will not be required to lower their levy—or the amount of money they seek in property taxes. But organizers hope the referendum will capture elected officials' attention and inspire them to make some cuts.

"We're not saying cut firefighters, cut police officers, cut teachers," Johnson said. "... People are just fed up (with taxes.)"

The group also is planning to research key dates in the levy process for each taxing body and encourage residents to attend those meetings.

Their effort started with an event in Yorkville's Town Square Park on June 1 to distribute information on appealing property tax assessments. After another public event in Oswego, their focus expanded to the referendum.

Organizers emphasized that they are a bipartisan group.

"Our circle has Republicans and Democrats in it," O'Neil said. "We don't discuss those issues."

Related Topics: Government Spending, Kendall County Property Tax Revolt, and Mark Johnson

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Da #1 Bears Fan 2011

12:12 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

Great job team!!! Its about time we as tax payers take a stand!

Kibitzer

1:35 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

I want to congratulate those who worked so very hard to get the word out about the tax situation in Kendall County. And many should buy the shirts, to support a local business, to remind others that the "little guy" can make a big noise, and black is so very slimming! Whatever the end result of this effort is, a big Hurrah to you all!

Common Sense in Kendall County

4:11 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

Congratulations to Kendall County Tax Revolt, I wish them the best on getting their referendum passed.

Mark A Johnson

7:06 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

One of the group's goals was to energize people to begin discussing the financials of our county, townships, cities, etc and become more educated in the process. I think we have met one of our objectives! Keep the conversation going folks!!! And have your friends join in too! ; - )

Bob Allen

8:54 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

In 2007, you knew what you wanted. In 2009, you didn't want that anymore. You set your friends up for failure then. I hope you learned your lesson.

Laura Bee

7:42 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Voices are being heard. This is a true milestone in our journey as Kendall County tax payers.

I am buzzing inside !

Wonderful job all!

Logansdad

8:03 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

It is a non-binding referendum. Even if it passes, it wont mean anything.

Laura Bee

8:49 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Well, we don't all have the mind set of Eyore. Good thing!

gater

8:58 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

it might not be binding but it is a start.if our county has enough money to make loans of 500k to yorkville to finish projects then i think they should be able to make cuts to tax payers.

Tim

9:12 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Todd Milliron is going to submit a request to verify and audit all of these signatures, right?

He is all about proper functioning of government, and would never use such tactics for political purposes.

So, when are you getting started on that Todd?

Todd Milliron

10:56 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

@Tim,
The Answer is No. One of my neighbors came by on Saturday and the wife and I signed the “tax revolt” petition. I did not fully agree with the petition wording used, but agree with its intent to control local government spending. I thought the term “governing” body used in the tax revolt petition should have been worded as “taxing” body.” I do think it is a great local citizen effort in the right direction to engage the public and applaud those getting signatures on petitions. I am always for more citizen participation and more citizen involvement in local issues, others now helping watch what is being spent by our local governments and taxing bodies is a big plus. I know I could sure use the help.

Tim, you should really enjoy reading my next blog on newly found unwarranted government spending that I have uncovered and cannot wait to share, soon to be published in Patch Blog Section. Kendall County Republican Central Committee Chairman and current Kendall County Coroner, Ken Toftoy has provided plenty of material to work with and bring to the public’s attention. Please look for my next Patch blog.

Todd Milliron

11:54 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Tim,
Maybe you should give Jon Zahm a call. http://thegoliathslayer.com/index.html When you do, ask him what happened to his government job in the City of Geneseo, IL.

You can pay Kenny Toftoy’s “Wanna be (cap pistol) Hired Gun” to do your petition review for you. Mr. Zahm just recently pulled and reviewed Independent Kendall Coroner Candidate Mike Dabney’s nominating petitions for a fee.

Of course, you still have the problem of finding a registered Kendall County Voter that has the legal standing to challenge and will sign that challenge, as both you and Jon Zahm do not live in Kendall County.

Good luck on finding that registered voter in Kendall County that has large enough cajones to stand against 3000 motivated individuals who signed that petition.

We that pay the freight around here are fed up and refuse to take it anymore.

Tim

12:49 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

I'll just forward it to the states attorney and get the taxpayers to pay for it. You know, like you got them to pay for your 'audit' on your political opponent. Looking forward to the results of that waste of money. You spent a few 10's of thousand of taxpayer dollars to 'recoup' $235 in incorrectly expensed items.

I laugh at how this number of people who have signed it keeps getting bigger after it has already been turned in.

But, it's nice to know you don't really care about anything other than politics. Obviously, anyone that rejects your nonsense MUST be a supporter of your opponent. Did you ever stop to consider that not everyone sees the world through your political eyes?

Todd Milliron

1:23 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Tim,
There is nothing illegal about a citizen’s right to petition their local government, exercising that right and asking for a vote to be put to the electorate.

The States Attorney’s job is to investigate and prosecute crooks. We have a few here in Kendall County pretending to be elected officials, one “good ole boy” hand washing the other, looking the other way, while we taxpayers get soaked with the bills for these elected-official's “entitlement” spending or should I call it economic development for a select few.

Each year we are required to pay even still higher taxes. I will continue to shine sunlight on these local government entitlement-spending officials/employees and expose the posers who choose to spend our tax money for their own personal benefit.

TLC Carpet Floors and More, Inc.

10:59 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

"We're not saying cut firefighters, cut police officers, cut teachers," Johnson said. "... People are just fed up (with taxes.)" Ok I will say it for you, CUT IT ALL, since when is the fire depart free from budget reduction, or police, or teachers. Every department has some waste, every department has its wish list, every depart can learn to cut back. People thats the cards we are being delt like it or not. If I have to cut my budget, police, fire, schools, and every other depart can reduce the overhead. You do it at home you can do it at work. Start with a $1.00 here and a $1.00 there. This is long over due, every department has got to learn what a budget is and what a pay freeze is. NOONE working for the county needs a pay raise now. You don't like it go get a job somewhere else. Tough times , tough ideas.

Mel

12:32 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The fire department in Oswego works on one of the lowest budgets in the area compared to surrounding areas. We get a lot in return. Great buildings, highly trained medics/firemen who staff our stations, new/updated equipment and excellent response times. They bring in revenue. Look at your tax bill...They have maintained their budget...It's not their fault!! Safety is a need in my book.

The park district in Oswego is always full with kids and adults participating in activities. They have done an excellet job at maintaining a resonable budget and offering so many things for our community. I do feel they could increase their pricing of passes to the pool, food and the costs of their activities. Gotta pay if you got the time to play.

The police and sheriff's office brings in revenue and works on one of the tightest budgets around as well. The Sheriff's office even gave back a million dollars back to the tax payers because they made more than expected. They make us money and help with the taxes. I say increase for patrol and at the jail because they bring/make us all money.

No more free health insurance & retirement benefits for all part time board members/politicians. If they want it then they should pay for it just like all union/county workers. No more county county credit cards...Go to a
purchase order system. No business vehicles for personal use. They stay at work. No food/clothing allowances. They can buy/provide their own as we all do for our daily jobs.