Preckwinle calls Schneider's tax proposal 'ill-conceived and irresponsible'

Cook County Commissioner Timothy Schneider will introduce Wednesday a measure opposing any property tax increases in the county's 2016 budget, a resolution board President Toni Preckwinkle slammed as "ill-conceived and irresponsible."

The measure aligns squarely with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's push for municipalities to freeze property taxes. Schneider, the chair of the Illinois Republican Party, said Tuesday he aims to put tax hikes off the table as the county confronts looming costs to pay off debt and pension obligations in 2016.

Instead, the board should look at consolidating county government, combining for instance, the offices of recorder, treasurer and clerk, Schneider, of Bartlett, said.

"I think we have to look at that head count," said Schneider, noting employee salaries and benefits account for 85 percent of the county's budget.

Preckwinkle fired back, blasting the measure as a "political stunt." She stressed that a tax increase will be considered only as a "last resort" as the county tries to fill a projected $179 million deficit in 2016. That number does not include an estimated $149 million in costs related to the county's proposal for pension reform, a plan that stalled in the Illinois House last year.

In June, Preckwinkle will unveil a preliminary forecast of the county finances, but she's already sounded the alarm about potential cuts from the state. The Chicago Democrat also has urged Cook County offices and agencies to find at least $7 million in savings.

"But by pre-emptively ruling out any changes to our property tax levy before we determine how to meet all of our financial obligations, Commissioner Schneider is suggesting that the board tie its own hands when it comes to solving our fiscal challenges," Preckwinkle said in a statement.

The board is expected to vote on the resolution at its 11 a.m. meeting Wednesday.

Schneider said the three other Republican commissioners - Elizabeth "Doody" Gorman, Peter Silvestri and Gregg Goslin - are backing the measure. Two Democrat commissioners, John Fritchey and Luis Arroyo Jr., are sponsoring it too.

To pass, a board majority - nine votes if all commissioners are present - would have to support it, but the resolution wouldn't hold the rule of law, Preckwinkle's office says.

If commissioners do agree to rule out a property tax increase, Schneider said he'd expect they adhere to that stance when the board votes on the 2016 spending plan.