$10 fee for ID card is just another tax

Palatine Park District, stop double-taxing the citizens of Palatine.

Prior to this year, a resident of Palatine could acquire a park district ID card, and have the card renewed every five years - for free. The ID card serves as proof of residency and entitles the holder to resident rates (golf, classes, etc.).

As of this year, a Palatine resident and property taxpayer now must pay $10 for his or her Palatine Park District ID card (children too).

In addition, a Palatine resident and property taxpayer must renew their ID card every year for, again, a $10 fee. Clearly the ID card itself, and the assorted technology which goes into producing this card, does not cost $10 - a few cents perhaps.

This brings us to the question of why the additional cost, or better still, why the TAX? Answer: Generate more revenue to subsidize ambitious programs which were not well thought out or properly funded.

As governing bodies go, when in need of cash, tax the people. Forget about fixing the mess the park district got into, tax the people.

I pay property taxes. I am already paying for Palatine Park District services. I should not pay an additional tax or fee to the Palatine Park District to prove to the park district that I am a Palatine resident. This form of taxation is absurd and needs to be stopped.

Palatine Park District - stop the double tax!

Steve Riggs

Palatine