Why I'll Never Run for Local Elected Office in Illinois

Because when it's time to raise new revenue for necessary public services, I'd have to choose between hiking the gas tax and hiking property taxes. The Chicago Tribune notes [free registration required to read the article] that the village of Oak Park has apparently chosen to hike its local gas tax-- a true testament to how unpopular the property tax has become in Illinois.

Reforming the property tax by offering more generous low-income relief is something Illinois lawmakers will be talking about in 2006. But until progressive property tax reform becomes a reality, Illinois local governments will have to continue making the politically difficult choices that state leaders have so far managed to avoid.