Schaumburg taxes rising out of sight
As a Schaumburg resident and taxpayer I am displeased to see the village has increased our property taxes yet again! One of the reasons we moved to Schaumburg 10 years ago was the tax benefits we had.
Much to our disappointment, the Village has raised taxes 15 times in 10 years — sales, telephone, cable, real estate, etc. That’s an average of a tax hike every 8 months!
The special property tax exemption for the Schaumburg airport is ludicrous to ask of residents who never use the airport. The Village should be looking to minimize the cost to taxpayers, not raise it! Raise hangar fees or sell the airport outright!
With the current downturn, real estate crisis and now one of the highest sales tax rates in the country, this is no time to force taxpayers to subsidize wealthy airplane enthusiasts.
These high tax burdens make it difficult for us to stay in Schaumburg. Our home that once appraised at $800,000 is now appraising at $500,000 but our property taxes increased by $2,800 this year? How can I continue to live in this community?
Schaumburg should reduce the tax burden on our community and do what they can to help rebuild the economic strength it was known for and it is doing no such thing.
Schaumburg’s budget for 2010-11 shows a spending increase of $30.7 million? When I look at what this money is allotted for, I think, “Why should I lose my house so public facilities I never use can be renovated?”
Instead, let’s try reducing the public employee compensation, starting with the Village leadership. Their salaries and benefits should be comparable to those with similar skills and experience in the private sector. The Village Manager’s compensation is over $219,000 — higher than the governor of Illinois, either of the two U.S. Senators.
Really, can they honestly say that what they do for our community warrants this salary? Salaries are dropping all over the world and Schaumburg village salaries and benefits are accelerating.
Solutions to our overspending problems must come from leadership. Stop increasing our property taxes and help our community thrive again.
Antonella Iacoviello
Schaumburg