To the editor:
The Illinois Truth in Taxation law requires that a notice be published in a newspaper and a public hearing must be held, if the proposed aggregate tax levy is more than 5 percent greater than the previous year's tax extension.
The above notices of truth in taxation hearings are from the Illinois Public Notice website, where anyone can search. I would suggest searching keywords "tax increase" and search only in Madison County.
The table above lists only school districts. Some municipalities, fire and library districts are also increasing their tax levy more than 5 percent, and these public notices may also be found on the website.
Some taxing districts have not yet made their tax levy decisions and therefore additional notices of truth in taxation hearings may be published before the end of the year.
In 2016, before I became Chairman, the county board voted for a "county government" tax levy of $32.6 million. In 2017, the levy was lowered to $30.8 million, where it has remained.
I have been a strong proponent of putting PTELL tax caps on the ballot.
PTELL would limit levy increases to the lesser of 5 percent or the inflation rate.
Four times (2018, 2020, 2022 and 2023) I have asked the county board to put PTELL on the ballot - to let the voters decide - but each time a majority of board members voted no.
Kurt Prenzler, CPA
Madison County Chairman of the Board