Mussman, Moynihan talk property taxes

Illinois state government doesn't operate on property taxes, but both Democratic state Rep. Michelle Mussman and her 56th District Republican challenger Jim Moynihan say property taxes still top the list of concerns they're hearing about from residents as they campaign door-to-door.

Notwithstanding Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner's call for a property tax freeze, the two state House candidates from Schaumburg recently shared their thoughts about what the state can - or should - do to help alleviate concerns over local property taxes.

Moynihan said that while the state doesn't have direct control over residents' property taxes, state leaders' lack of financial discipline is causing local governments like school districts to raise their levies to make up for reduced funding from Springfield.

"The state is shortchanging everyone," Moynihan said. "That puts pressure on (local taxing bodies) to play with the levy."

By putting the state's financial house in order, the pressure on local governments to raise their own taxes should go down, Moynihan said.

He expects a piece of campaign literature to go out soon saying he plans to vote in favor of a property tax freeze. But Moynihan said he didn't approve such a statement with his campaign staff, and doesn't understand the nuances of Rauner's tax-freeze plan.

"I like the idea of the property tax freeze, but I don't know how he's going to do it," Moynihan said. "I want to freeze them without freezing them. I want to remove the pressure that's causing them to go up."

Mussman said she'd be eager to hear the details of any plan to bring relief to taxpayers, but Rauner's proposal is unclear. It hasn't been specified whether the plan is to freeze the levies of local governments, the assessments of property value or the appeals of such assessments, she said.

She also questioned whether it's wise to give the state more control over local government.

"I think it depends on the proposal and whether people feel it has value," Mussman said. "Your school board has been elected to know what's best for your community. We need to collectively decide who's in control of these things."

Moynihan said he's not only talked to people who say they want to move out of state because of their property taxes, he's even come upon a few on their moving day. He said he found the plight of one couple in their mid-70s the most disturbing. They were facing overwhelming pressure to move because of their property taxes alone, despite having paid off their mortgage decades ago.

Mussman said she's been hearing similar concerns. Though the state isn't a collector of property taxes, she said it's natural that people would voice those problems to state candidates.

"This is the biggest concern in their personal life. It's a big thing," she said. "The property tax doesn't know that you lost your job."

She said the way to a solution on the property tax dilemma is to decide very specifically what the goal is, what the consequences would be and whether they represent an improvement.

"You do have to define your variables," Mussman said. "What am I moving and what does that do?"

The 56th District includes Schaumburg and portions of Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Roselle.