Outrageous tax hikes unlikely to change

My Mount Prospect property taxes have increased 63 percent over the last 10 years (miscellaneous taxes increased 67 percent, school taxes 60 percent, municipality/township taxes 83 percent and Cook County taxes 35 percent) - 2½ times the rate of inflation. At this rate, they will double every 11 years.

The biggest offenders were the Mount Prospect Library Fund, up 91 percent, followed by Harper College, 86 percent, Village of Mount Prospect 84 percent (does not included waste removal and water fee increases), High School District 214, 81 percent, Water Reclamation District 72 percent, Mount Prospect Park District 65 percent.

At all levels of government, the biggest driver of increased expenses and thus increased taxes are benefit and pension liabilities. Government employees and teacher benefits and pensions need to be on par with private sector workers.

This will not happen as long as they are allowed to strike. It is unlikely this will change in Illinois. Madigan and the Illinois Democrats are like all Democrats. The approach is always tax and spend.

Deal with the result not the cause. Never responsible budgeting and cost control.

Wade Kiess

Mount Prospect