Mussman, Bernas disagree on prevailing wages, workers' compensation

The candidates for the 56th District Illinois House seat agree that lowering property taxes should be a goal of state legislators, but have different ideas on how to make it happen.

A key difference between Democratic incumbent Rep. Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg and Republican challenger Jillian Bernas of Schaumburg is whether the Prevailing Wage Act and workers' compensation laws should be reformed with the intent of lowering property taxes.

The Prevailing Wage Act sets the amount contractors must pay their employees on public projects.

Bernas believes reforming it and workers' compensation regulations would give local governments more control over their expenses, and thus less reason to raise taxes.

Mussman said altering the prevailing wage and workers' compensation regulations is not a road she's willing to go down.

However, she said she's voted in favor of 17 other pieces of legislation to help lower property taxes since April 2015, and her district office regularly provides education and resources for constituents looking to appeal their assessments and taxes.

"I'm here to try to get those taxes lower for my residents," Mussman said.

As a trustee on the Schaumburg Township District Library board since the spring of 2015, Bernas said she's seen the impact state government has on property taxes, including through regulations.

"This makes the cost of governing more than it needs to be," she said.

Added to the struggle is the uncertainty created by Illinois' long-running budget crisis.

"We're often uncertain about what the state is going to send our way and whether it's going to fulfill its promises," Bernas said, who also supports Gov. Bruce Rauner's call for a property tax freeze.

The 56th District includes Schaumburg and portions of Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Roselle.