44th District hopefuls claim they're both 'anti-tax'

Republican challenger for the 44th District House seat Billie Roth finds herself on defense after Democrat incumbent challenger Fred Crespo criticized Roth's record on tax increases as mayor of Streamwood.

Crespo, of Hoffman Estates, is vying for his third term as state representative. He's sent out a variety of mailers citing various tax increases approved while Roth has served as village president, dating back to December 1988. Roth became village president in 1989 and also served as a trustee and clerk.

"Billie Roth is claiming that she's against taxes, but her actions show a career politician who even helped her village tax people for having fun," Crespo said.

Crespo is referring to Streamwood's entertainment tax, a 25-cent per ticket tax affecting for-profit entertainment activities. That was adopted in December 1994.

Roth's camp struck back and said "no revenue was ever generated, nor was any citizen ever taxed through a Streamwood entertainment tax."

"Fred Crespo needs to get his facts straight," Roth said.

Streamwood is a home rule community, which grants its village board broader taxing powers. Crespo cited eight tax increases made while Roth served Streamwood. That included hikes to the municipal and home rule sales tax, a 1993 increase to the utility tax and a 2001 increase to the tax levy.

Crespo, a former Hoffman Estates village trustee, also said Roth encouraged then-Gov. George Ryan to continue the municipal share of the income tax surcharge. He said the Roth is not anti-tax.

"Illinois has an overspending problem, and raising taxes is exactly the opposite of what we need to do to treat the underlying cause of our state's economic troubles," Crespo said.

Roth countered and said Crespo voted for the largest tax increase in state history in 2008. Crespo weathered a similar attack by Republican Peggy Brothman when she challenged him for the House seat in the 2008 election.

Roth points out that Streamwood's property tax rate has fallen by 39 percent since 1989 and that she's created jobs and provided tax incentives to businesses to stimulate the economy.

"My record speaks for itself," she said. "The people of Streamwood have re-elected me for over 20 years because of what we have accomplished together and I will not stand by and watch Crespo try to discredit our success for his own political gain."

Both candidates did agree they would continue to battle outgoing Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's sales-tax increase, which has affected towns bordering other counties, with shoppers leaving home to purchase television, appliances and big-ticket items without paying the higher sales tax.

Election Day is Nov. 2. The 44th District covers parts of Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Bartlett and Elgin.