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Kane Co. taxes high enough already

Kane Co. taxes high enough already

The Tax Foundation has ranked Kane County Illinois property taxes in the highest 2 percent of property tax costs of 2,900 counties in the U.S. Kane County ranks at No. 31 nationally.

In the March 2014 primary election the Kane County voters will be asked to approve a referendum for a property tax increase for disability services. In a county that already has excessive property taxes, no increase is justifiable.

It is a good cause and I have donated voluntarily to charities serving behavioral and developmentally disabled populations including vocational training and group residential homes.

This referendum is an example of the growing trend of forced charity through the power of the government. Private charitable programs should not be enforced by taxes. Charities should promote their programs to the public for voluntary donations.

It is easier and more profitable to use the force of government. They will reportedly raise $12 million through a referendum for their own board and property tax in Kane County. I suspect other private charitable organizations will follow the same path if this referendum is successful.

The proponents report a $55 increase in annual property tax bills. However, the average home value in Kane is higher than their example.

I observed that a letter writer who opposed the tax increase was personally criticized for his factual comments on the referendum. Is it an intent to silence critics? Are we supposed to be silent and pay without complaint or opinion?

Cheryl Puhl

Pingree Grove

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