Taxpayers must stand up to board

"We owe the taxpayers of Lisle an apology." These words were spoken by one of our elected board members at the monthly board meeting I attended on March 19. The board referred to is the largest independent taxing body in the city of Lisle. They take 61 percent of the taxes on my tax bill. This taxing body has seven members we elect for four years. This is the taxing body that has been approving the maximum tax increment rate allowed by law for the past eight years. And they built it into a $54 million kitty today.

We have been asking them for a tax rebate for months, because this board is hoarding the largest cash reserve of any suburb in northern Illinois, but we were too late to get any money rebated. Why?

Lucky taxpayers, 960, won a lawsuit the board approved to pay out March 19. These board members approved a $780,000 settlement, a rebate on the plaintiff's taxes. This lawsuit was kept secret by all the Lisle taxing bodies for the last four years, until it was only unveiled at the meeting agenda on Monday.

They approved the settlement payout in a 6-to-1 vote, with the only dissenting board member stating that "we owe the taxpayers an apology for what we did, for not rebating all the taxpayers." Finally, one board member that gets it - fiscal responsibility, responsible to taxpayers.

The taxing body? Lisle School District 202. The board members think they can get away with anything. No accountability. Isn't it time to attend the board meetings? Just look at your escalating tax bill and demand responsible spending. Isn't it time to stand up and act with Melissa Grant and not be afraid to say "nay" to this board's arrogance?

Mike Krzywosz

Lisle