‘Bankers of last resort’ should say no on taxes

Taxpayers are the government’s “bankers of last resort.” When politicians overspend and overtax in fiscally irresponsible ways, it’s ultimately up to us taxpayers to say “no more.”

According to its audited financial statements filed with the Illinois State Comptroller, the Kane County Board’s Ruling Democrat supermajority and its Chairman have increased the size of county government spending in just the past four years by 88%, nearly doubling the general fund spending from $66 million in 2020 to $124 million in 2024.

It took Kane County 184 years (1836-2020) to get to $66 million in annual spending, but just four more years to get to $124 million. Too much, too quickly. Did your family income increase 88% in the past four years?

Now reflexively, their so-called “solution” is to ask you for a staggering $51 million annual increase every year into the future in sales tax applied to your sales taxable purchases. If the referendum passes, inflation (due to this mandatory tax) will increase.

No doubt that the folks who want to reach more deeply into your pockets, this time for $51 million sales tax increase, will make all kinds of disingenuous de minimis arguments that it’s only a $150 increase on the $20,000 per year of annual sales taxable purchases for the typical Kane County family, including gas, diapers, hardware store supplies, etc.

However, you recognize that it’s “death by a thousand cuts” again. And, the sales tax increase is on top of their recently raising the county portion of your property taxes for the first time in twelve years, only two weeks after they were reelected in November 2024.

If passed, this referendum will increase taxes and reward politicians who have massively increased spending in only four (4) years. We’re the “bankers of last resort.” My family will be voting “No.”

Chris Lauzen

Aurora