Keep property tax relief in place

We are writing to state our support of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to provide Cook County homeowners relief from escalating property tax assessments.

This week the governor announced his plan to make the 7-percent assessment cap permanent. Not only would residents be allowed to keep their homes they have worked so hard to maintain, this legislation would also increase the homeowner's exemption to $40,000.

In February, we suburban Cook County Illinois House Republicans introduced similar legislation. to raise the exemption to $40,000, allowing middle-income families protection against rapidly increasing property tax bills. Our plan was designed as a three-year proposal. The governor's proposal makes this exemption permanent. It is sound policy because it will provide average homeowners the tax relief they need to maintain their residence.

The original legislation the General Assembly passed included three tiers, which increased the exemption to $33,000 in the first year, lowered it to $26,000 in the second year, and again lowered. it to $20,000 in the final year. The governor's amendatory veto will set the exemption limit at $40,000 indefinitely.

The governor's action provides a sound middle ground for residents coping with rising tax bills. We are advocates of the governor's proposal and we ask our colleagues in the Illinois House to join us in supporting property tax relief for Cook County.

State Representatives

Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi

(R-Palatine)

Beth Coulson

(R-Glenview)

Carolyn Krause

(R-Mount Prospect)

Rosemary Mulligan

(R-Des Plaines)

Sid Mathias

(R-Arlington Heights)