Schaumburg should lead by example

In the chaos that erupts out of the debate over the Cook County sales tax increase, we many times forget that localities also need to rise either supporting or against the abundant taxation.

Many in the area have in fact opposed the rise of taxes, including Palatine, which threatened secession. But one does not have to go far to wonder why the Schaumburg government has been quiet in opposition to the county tax increase.

The unfortunate truth is that the Village Board lives by the same tax and spend philosophy. If the citizenry wants a lower sales tax, they need a leader. Schaumburg is already a leader in the township of Schaumburg in so many different ways, why not in the fight against the county?

There is one revolutionary idea: lead by example. If the county can live off a smaller sales tax, let Schaumburg prove it by lowering the municipal sales tax, shrinking the size and scope of Village government, and lifting the burden on local businesses.

If they do not, it is our duty as residents to force their hand, and make lowering the Home Rule Sales Tax a paramount issue in the Village.

Mike Theodore

Schaumburg