State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) has been named by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) to serve on the newly created Property Tax Relief Task Force. Weber was tapped for the bipartisan task force for his local government experience and commitment to taxpayers.
The task force is required to provide short-term and long-term policy recommendations to address Illinois’ crippling property tax burden. The initial policy report is to be completed within 90 days, while the final report is to be completed by December 31, 2019 so recommendations that require legislative action may be taken up by the General Assembly in the 2020 spring session.
“More than any other burden, Illinois’ broken property tax system is driving families and businesses out of our state,” said Weber. “As a border district in the collar counties, residents of the 64th District know all too well the damage of this broken system. While piecemeal fixes have provided some relief to taxpayers here and there, serious restructuring is needed to provide the relief taxpayers deserve.
“My time on the Lake County Board taught me firsthand how hard it is to balance community and taxpayer needs under this convoluted tax system. I hope my experience and the precise timetable of this task force will create the pressure needed to change our broken system.”
The task force’s primary duties are to examine the root causes of high property taxes, assess other states’ legislative solutions and propose policy changes that will bring real relief to Illinois homeowners. The recommended solutions may be enacted by either administrative, electoral or legislative approach. The members of this bipartisan, bicameral task force will also serve with no compensation.