Ethics law would bring taxes down

Recently, I received my property tax bill, and like everyone else, I was shocked and disgusted by the fact that my property values had gone done by 30 percent and my taxes are going up, as in Kane County. We pay some of the highest taxes in not only Illinois, but the rest of the country.

Forbes 500 Magazine rated Kane County as having the 27th highest taxes in the United States. A reason for these higher taxes, which most do not realize, is the cost of the pay-for-play system. This cost is placed upon the taxpayers of Kane County and it is not cheap. The current administration and the majority of the Kane County Board fail to enact simple ethics legislation that would eliminate the cost of the pay-for-play system for the taxpayers and easily pay for a reduction in the tax levy rate.

An ethics law would entail the prohibition of elected county officials from receiving campaign contributions from vendors or contractors doing business with the county. This alone would solve the problem that is costing taxpayers millions of dollars. There are many ways to make our county government considerably more effective and provide a better quality service to its residents. But apparently the current administration and the majority have chosen to expand the pay-for-play system. This is not only raising taxes, it is chasing away economic development. Therefore, I am running for county board.

Darren Parochelli

West Dundee